A wide range of independent federations and public bodies giving free or paid-for advice, state-aid organisations, and no-interest loans (prêts d’honneur) exist throughout France, at national (sometimes European), regional and département levels. State aid for the unemployed who want to start a business, including low-interest loans, is also available. Private sources for funds, classic bank loans and venture capital are discussed in Chapter 6, and financial advantages and tax relief which are linked to location and certain development areas are covered more fully in Chapter 7.

Whatever the requirement, it is essential that information forms are filled in correctly and all requested documents supplied, and with the exact number of copies required. Otherwise all paperwork may be returned or the application filed pending receipt of the missing items. This is particularly important for state aid as processing applications can take months rather than weeks. Note that an is the affirmative symbol when replying to questions and not a

While you will usually get a sympathetic, helpful and open-minded hearing from bodies managing public funds for loans and grants, correctly completed application forms will not of course guarantee a favourable decision. These funds are subject to strict budgets. Convincing, well-argued applications with realistic figures always help. It may not be possible however to accumulate grants and loans even if they are funded from different sources.

ADVICE AVAILABLE

Agences de développement et comités d’expansion économiques

These economic development agencies which come under the banner of the national committee for regional economies are nonprofit making associations throughout France which can help and advise with preparation of a project and a business plan. They also organise seminars on aspects of the regional economy. See the website www.cner-france.com or chambers of commerce to locate the local association.

The EGEE association

This was developed as a means of bringing together business management experience from different age groups using working and retired people. It specialises in small businesses and industries (PME and PMI) providing guidance and assistance for administrative procedures, choice of legal form of the business, obtaining finance and preparing business development plans. Write to Egée, 15 avenue de Ségur, 75007 Paris or consult www.egee.asso.fr.

Boutiques de gestion

These are not to be confused with associations/centre de gestion agréés which are described in Chapter 7.

The national federation for these boutiques has members in nearly all départements in France offering advice and training on all aspects of business creation, contact with other future entrepreneurs and continued help, if desired, up to two years after starting up. Initial consultation is free and the cost of further advice depends on each applicant’s financial situation. Write to the Comité de liaison des Boutiques de gestion, 14, rue Delambre, 75014 Paris or consult www.boutiques-de-gestion.com.

Chéquiers-conseil

Counselling coupon books are available free to registered unemployed people and certain other groups who meet the necessary requirements to be considered for financial assistance under the ACCRE (see page 76) system.

The chéquier contains six coupons, each worth around 46€ entitling the holder to an hour’s consultation with approved specialists such as notaries and accountants who will advise on specific aspects of the project before trading begins or in the early life of the business. (Coupons can be asked for up to three years after the start of a business.) The coupon book holder just has to pay the difference, approximately 16€, of the set hourly consultation rate of about 62€. Each coupon book is date stamped when obtained from the départemental employment office (Direction départementale de travail) and is valid for 12 months. Up to two coupon books, i.e. 12 hours’ consultancy, is the entitlement, before starting a business, and up to three books, minus any books used before the business’ start date, provided that the entrepreneur has been awarded ACCRE assistance.