The Initiative France network supports a record number of business projects

Created in 1985, co-financed by the European Social Fund, supported by Bpifrance (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 creations, takeovers and developments. The network is present throughout France with 207 local associations spread throughout the country. Thanks to this network, entrepreneurs are welcomed, their projects assessed 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 followed and supported by volunteer experts, business leaders and specialists in business creation providing access to a local economic network.

Very encouraging track record

In the first half of 2022, the provisional count of the Initiative France network showed that over 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 gave Initiative France the opportunity to deepen 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 saved 53,000 jobs;

- entrepreneurs benefited from 178 million euros in honorary loans, which led to the unlocking of 62 million euros in additional honorary loans with Bpifrance and 1.8 billion euros 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 such buoyant 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 is takes charge throughout the process, from the idea step to the kickstart step of the business, including the search for financing step. In addition, there is a 3,000 euros bonus for those who make their business project a reality. 

As early as 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) an enhanced programme, entirely free of charge, to prepare and support them in the creation of a business.

Specifically, this new programme plans offers:

- a “benevolent and unconditional” welcome;

- the development of a “sound application challenged by experts in business creation and active business leaders”

- access to the Initiative honorary zero-interest and security-free loan, which increases the entrepreneur’s equity capital and “leaves way for the unlocking of a bank loan that is on average nine times higher”;

- tailor-made 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 know more: 

- The Initiative France track record

- The In’Cube programme

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