Getting support to create your freelance business: which solutions to choose

Key takeaways:

• Many support networks exist to help you create your freelance business according to your profile and needs.
• Support helps secure your project thanks to personalized advice, training, and funding assistance.
• Wage portage is an interesting solution for launching your freelance activity while benefiting from a secure framework and dedicated support.

Do you want to benefit from business creation support? Numerous networks are available to support you throughout your project implementation. However, depending on your activity, situation, and personal goals, it may be difficult to know which solutions to turn to. That’s why Weepo has prepared a complete overview of the main organizations ready to support your freelance activity: from networks to umbrella companies.

Benefits of business creation support

Choosing support for starting a business has several advantages, namely:

• Securing the stages of your project: you are supported in validating your idea, market research, choosing the status, and searching for funding.
• The possibility of receiving personalized advice: you receive recommendations tailored to your business, positioning, and strategy.
• Access to concrete tools: you benefit from training, workshops, and mentorship to start your independent activity.

Being supported promotes good decision-making and increases the chances of your company’s sustainability.

Generalist support networks

Generalist support networks are open to all project holders and often constitute the first entry point to be effectively guided. They intervene at any stage of your entrepreneurial journey, from the emergence of the idea to the development of your activity.

BGE Networks

BGE networks advise and train entrepreneurs at all stages of their journey by providing indispensable resources to promote the success of your project:

• Tools;
• Contacts;
• Key skills…

BGE also offers business management training, sales prospecting or communication training. They can also help you structure your project and clarify your market positioning. For a freelancer in wage portage, this support can be relevant for better defining your service offer, setting your rates, and learning how to develop your professional network. For IT freelancers, also check out our guide on IT professions and average salaries.

Initiative France

Initiative France finances your project thanks to the prêt d'honneur (an interest-free and collateral-free loan) and supports you from preparing the financing plan up to the loan repayment. The network also offers personalized follow-up with experienced entrepreneurs to secure the launch of your activity. Even for activities carried out under wage portage, a freelancer can seek support from Initiative France to finance specific needs related to their activity, such as IT equipment, certifications, or communication actions.

Réseau Entreprendre

Réseau Entreprendre brings together business leaders who support and finance entrepreneurs with job-creating potential. They act in three main dimensions:

1. Human support;
2. Financial support;
3. Collective support.

One of the network's main advantages is the mentoring provided by volunteer business leaders. Entrepreneurs benefit from several months of support to develop their project and make strategic decisions.

France Active

France Active finances and supports you, whatever the phase of your activity, as long as your project has a strong social impact. The organization can offer bank guarantees, funding solutions, and dedicated support to consolidate the economic model of the project. France Active also helps entrepreneurs secure their activity and develop their network.

💡Good to know: for IT freelancers in wage portage, this can be especially interesting for digital projects with social impact, such as activities related to ecological transition, digital accessibility, or the social and solidarity economy.

Business incubators

They offer reception services, guide you, and help you assemble your file to increase your chances of getting suitable support or funding. They also allow you to benefit from a stimulating work environment through the provision of offices, coworking spaces, and networking events. They encourage exchanges between entrepreneurs and facilitate the creation of professional opportunities. For a freelancer, joining a business incubator can be a good way to break isolation, develop your network, and meet potential clients or partners.

Groupements de Créateurs

Groupements de Créateurs generally offer progressive support enabling you to turn an idea into a concrete project. They help identify the necessary skills, structure the activity, and regain confidence in your entrepreneurial project. This kind of support can be especially useful for people retraining for digital careers or wanting to become freelancers after a period of inactivity.

Lawyers or chartered accountants

Working with a chartered accountant to support you in launching your independent activity enables you to benefit from tailor-made support. Among their services, the chartered accountant helps you:

• Establish financial forecasts;
• Choose the legal form of your company;
• Complete registration formalities…

In general, they define with you the legal framework of your activity. In the context of wage portage, these professionals can help you compare the different statuses and determine whether this solution is adapted to your situation and professional goals.

Specific networks based on your profile

There are support networks tailored to your profile and situation:

Focus on umbrella companies

If you are considering launching your freelance activity through wage portage, you can rely on the support of your umbrella company to guide you throughout your project. Remember, wage portage is based on a tripartite relationship between the freelancer, the client, and the umbrella company, which takes care of all your administrative and accounting management while you focus on your core tasks. With wage portage, you benefit from a dedicated advisor by your side to provide legal advice, insights to better manage your freelance activity, and support for your development (searching for projects suited to your profile). To better understand the cost of this solution, check out our guide on how much wage portage costs.

💡Good to know: if you choose Weepo, you’ll benefit from personalized and high-quality support by a team attentive and responsive, keen to ensure your interests and those of your clients.

Which support to choose according to your situation?

Depending on your situation and your goals as a freelancer, some networks may be more relevant than others:

• Are you starting? Generalist networks like BGE help you structure your project.
• Are you in career transition? Activ'Créa or wage portage can secure your transition.
• Are you developing a tech project? Digital incubators and French Tech are relevant options.
• Do you want to grow your network? Coworkings and freelancer communities foster professional opportunities.
• Are you looking for a secure framework? Wage portage simplifies the launch of your activity.

What you should remember

You now know which business creation support to choose depending on your profile. Here’s a quick reminder:

1. Generalist networks: for a first entry point towards personalized support.
2. Targeted networks: more focused on your profile, these allow you to benefit from tailored advice and support for your situation.
3. Umbrella companies: ideal if you are new to freelancing and want to start while keeping the advantages of employee status. Discover our guide on wage portage: conditions and profiles.