The Initiative France network supports a record number of entrepreneurial projects

The activity of the Initiative France network, the leading associative network for financing and supporting business creators, continues to grow. After a record first year in 2021, the network recorded a further increase in its entrepreneurial projects in the first half of 2022. More than 11,100 businesses, which have created and/or maintained 31,000 jobs, have already benefited from business start-up or takeover aid since the beginning of the year, which is more than 12% compared to the same period in 2021.

Created in 1985, co-financed by the European Social Fund, supported by BpiFrance (the public investment bank) and the ministries in charge of the economy and employment, the Initiative France network is the leading network of associations for financing and supporting business creators, takeovers and developers. It is present throughout France with 207 local associations spread throughout the country. Thanks to this network, entrepreneurs are welcomed, their projects are evaluated and can be financed by an Initiative honorary loan without interest or guarantee, which can be used to generate other bank loans. They are also accompanied and supported by volunteer experts, business leaders and specialists in business creation who give them access to a local economic network.

Very encouraging figures

In the first half of 2022, according to the provisional count of the Initiative France network, more than 11,100 businesses, creating or maintaining 31,000 jobs, have obtained an honorary loan and benefited from free support since the beginning of the year. This growth in activity is due in particular to the mobilisation of 22,000 volunteer experts. The implementation of new support and financing programmes has also enabled Initiative France to increase its impact on new target groups, in particular young people, women and people living in fragile areas.

By 2021, Initiative France had supported and financed the creation or takeover of 18,990 businesses by 23,503 entrepreneurs. More specifically, thanks to Initiative France

- these businesses have created or safeguarded 53,000 jobs

- entrepreneurs benefited from €178 million in honorary loans to entrepreneurs, which enabled them to obtain €62 million in other honorary loans with BpiFrance and €1.8 billion from banks;

- 5,758 businesses were also supported within the framework of the measures put in place during the health crisis;

- the survival rate of supported companies is 90% after three years.

A new programme to reveal the potential of young people

 In this promising context, the Initiative France network launched In'Cube in 2022, a free, enhanced programme of preparation and support for business creation, adapted to the needs of young entrepreneurs. In'cube offers a complete pathway, from the idea to the launch of the business, including the search for financing. In addition, there is a €3,000 bonus for those who make their business project a reality.

As of January 2022, this programme has been implemented by 169 local associations in the network, with the support of the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Integration, as part of the Plan 1 Jeune, 1 Solution. The network offers "to all people in a fragile professional situation" (long-term jobseekers, people with less than a bachelor's degree, residents of priority neighbourhoods or rural revitalisation zones, people with disabilities) a reinforced programme, entirely free of charge, to prepare and support them in setting up a business.

In concrete terms, this new programme provides for

- a "benevolent and unconditional" welcome ;

- the development of a "solid file challenged by experts in business creation but also by active business leaders

- access to the Initiative interest-free loan without guarantee, which strengthens the entrepreneur's equity capital and "enables a bank loan to be released that is on average nine times higher";

- personalised support over the long term.

It should be noted that 2,000 people are already benefiting from this programme and that, by the end of December 2022, Initiative France plans to support 5,400 entrepreneurs under this programme, i.e. a total of 3,600 young people. The President of the network believes that with In'cube, the Initiative France network has fulfilled its mission since it allows "young people to become independent, to create their own jobs and to free their ambitions!

 

To find out more, click here:

- Le bilan d'activité du réseau Initiative France

- Le programme In’Cube