This report prepared by Oxford Research in co-operation with Nordregio and Lauritzen Consulting, aims to gain a better and deeper understanding of the situation regarding SMEs and Start-ups access to finance in the Arctic region, and to develop recommendations on how to improve the investment climate. The study is also highlighting some Northern Periphery and Arctic Programme funded actions and their impacts on the region. As an example of Business support structures for promoting youth Entrepreneurship the Arctic Awards 2018 winning NPA project Rye Connect is mentioned in the report.