Like all young business creators, you're looking for financing or schemes to help your project succeed.
And that's just as well, because there's plenty of support available for young entrepreneurs, in a variety of forms depending on the nature of the project and its sector of activity.
They most often take the form of subsidies, but can also take the form of tax or contribution exemptions, or offers of support to encourage the growth of projects.
These grants are most often based on collaboration between the State and local economic partners, such as business incubators or regional economic development bodies.
Here's an overview of the main schemes to help you identify the benefits you can enjoy immediately.
The ACRE is certainly the most famous form of assistance for entrepreneurs in France. It provides total exemption from social security contributions for the first year of business start-up.
Despite this, all entrepreneurs are still required to pay the CSG, CRDS, workplace accident, supplementary pension, Fnal and vocational training contributions.
Since 2019, all entrepreneurs creating or taking over a business have been eligible.
Open to 18-32 year-olds, this program offers comprehensive support to young people wishing to set up their own business.
You can take part in group workshops to learn how to draw up a business plan , or go in search of financing.
We also offer personalized advice to optimize your chances of success.
At the end of the support period, you are eligible to apply for a microcredit and a 0% honor loan.
Cap' Jeunes is an initiative of the France Active network, which promotes economic development in France.
It is increasingly concerned with young businesses, and now offerslong-term support for entrepreneurs under the age of 26.
At the end of the support period, you can receive a start-up grant of up to €2,000 to help launch your business.
This status is open to all students under the age of 28, enabling them to build an entrepreneurial project alongside their higher education studies.
To be eligible, students must create their project with the Pôle étudiant pour l'innovation, le transfert et l'entrepreneuriat (Pépite). Young graduates are also eligible.
This status gives access to co-working spaces and coaching services from two tutors to help create the best possible project.
Entrepreneurial students also have the right to take a gap year.
The under-30s accounted for 24% of business start-ups in France in 2016.
This status applies to companies less than 8 years old that have their origins in higher education, i.e. at least 10% of their capital is held by students, people who have held a master's or doctorate degree for less than 5 years, or people working in higher education and research.
The companies concerned must also be involved in fundamental research, applied research, experimental development of new products or prototype development.
The latter activities can also make the most of research carried out in higher education.
This status entitles you to a total exemption from corporate income tax in the first year, and 50% in the second.
It is also exempt from employer contributions, property tax and CFE (cotisation foncière des entreprises) for up to 7 years.
52% of young people say that being an entrepreneur is the most attractive career option, and 32% would like to start their own business one day.
Being young and being an entrepreneur is therefore possible in France, thanks to a wide range of government grants and subsidies awarded by local economic development bodies.
Each type of support enables students to find the one that's right for their project. In 2017, the number of businesses created in France is on the rise again, thanks in particular to the dynamic auto-entrepreneur status and the dynamism of young people.
Written by our expert Paul LASBARRERES-CANDAU
June 18, 2018
