Access to finance
22 October 2009by Ina Dimireva -- last modified 23 October 2009
Entrepreneurs of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have access to only quite limited financial resources. To help them, France offers many sources of financial support.
To gather the capital necessary to finance the project, depending on the nature of the project, its location or even the status of the new entrepreneur, different finance methods are possible (personal savings, vendor loans, help or subsidies for the new owner, honour loans, solidarity loans, premiums, subsidies, medium- or long-term loans, etc.).
Finding aid [FR]
Overview of finance methods [FR]
Any entrepreneur may access government financial aid, particularly via the Directory of sources of government business assistance.
Directory of sources of government business assistance [FR]
As far as social and financial aid is concerned, several tools can facilitate the setting up or takeover of a business by people in financial difficulty or employees. For example, it is possible to benefit from a postponement then spreading of payment of contributions or to establish the business in an urban free zone (ZFU).
Main sources of social and financial aid [FR]
Any entrepreneur may resort to finance tools such as loan and guarantee bodies, the Observatory of business and economic development assistance or the "Entreprendre en France" (Starting a Business in France) portal of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
Finance tools [FR]
Loan and guarantee bodies [FR]
Observatory of business and economic development assistance [FR]
France Initiative is a finance network, which, among other things, offers honour loans to entrepreneurs. Likewise, the réseau Entreprendre (Business set-up network) provides, under certain conditions, honour loans to business founders.
France Initiative [FR]
Réseau Entreprendre (Business set-up network) [FR]
The France Angels association facilitates contact with Business Angels. These tend to be financially well-off individuals with experience in a certain area.
France Angels Association [FR]
Finally, the Love Money Association gives information and help to businesses wanting to attract shareholders. It gives advice and puts entrepreneurs in contact with potential subscribers.
Personalised help and advice
The Enterprise Europe Network provides businesses with information and advice through its local partners.
Enterprise Europe Network – contact points – France
Business support organisations can advise businesses on how to find financing.
Source: European Commission
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