Business establishment in France: our methodology to help you succeed

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We are committed to assisting business leaders in establishing their operations in Atlantic France. Our approach is built on strong collaboration with key local partners to provide customised support, streamlining the establishment process and making it more effective. From strategic guidance to hands-on assistance, we ensure every step is covered for a successful setup.

Business Solutions Atlantic France is a service of Solutions&co, the economic development agency for the Atlantic France region. We offer free, tailored and confidential support to the companies we assist.

So, how does it work? Here are the key stages in our process for supporting new businesses in Atlantic France.

1. Assessment and planning

The first step in setting up a business in Atlantic France is conducting a detailed assessment of your project. This involves understanding your objectives, operational needs and any specific challenges your business may face. Based on this assessment, we propose tailored business solutions to address your requirements effectively.

Building an effective specification model

A specification model is an essential tool for structuring your business location project. It is the first step in assessing your project and its feasibility in the region. The document outlines key elements such as facility requirements, budget limits, timelines and operational specifics, providing a clear framework for planning. By formalising these details, the model acts as a roadmap, aligning all stakeholders on project expectations and priorities. It also helps to reduce the cost and time involved in setting up your business.

> See which type of specification template you should use to formalise your business location project

Selection criteria for strategic support

Your project is evaluated based on specific criteria to determine its alignment with local priorities and eligibility for dedicated support programmes. Key factors include the size of your operation, its economic impact, innovative scope, and alignment with sustainability goals. 

This evaluation ensures that businesses fitting within our regional ecosystem gain access to initiatives like our Impact Program, which is designed to facilitate impactful ventures. It is a win-win system: by establishing your business here and creating value in the region, we can ensure that you find suppliers, partners and customers to help develop and grow your operations.

> Discover our criteria to qualify for dedicated support

Evaluating eligibility for regional financial support

The Regional Council reviews your project to determine eligibility for regional financial support, providing a response within three days. If your project does not qualify, our team will explore alternative public financial support options to ensure you secure the right funding. 

During this initial stage, we will also provide you with all the key information about the region, including economic and social data, as well as analyses and forecasts. This will give you a clear picture of the region and the dynamism of the Pays de la Loire.

2. Legal, financial, and strategic insights

When a company sets up in Atlantic France, our mission is to ensure a smooth and successful transition. With our support, you can focus on growing your business. Our team of experts will be at your disposal, with a dedicated point of contact assigned to your project to guarantee an efficient and straightforward setup process.

Guidance on French legal, regulatory, and tax requirements

Our team provides expert guidance on the French legal system, helping you navigate the various requirements for business registration, compliance, and ongoing operations. We assist with matters such as selecting the appropriate legal structure, understanding employment laws, and ensuring compliance with French tax regulations. 

Cost estimation for setting up

Understanding the full cost of establishing your business in Atlantic France is critical for effective planning. We offer a clear and detailed breakdown of the expenses involved, including real estate, salaries, operational overheads, and other factors. 

The right financial support options

When setting up your business in Atlantic France, you can take advantage of a range of tailored financial solutions, including grants, tax incentives, and funding opportunities. These financial support measures help reduce initial costs and provide a stable foundation for your business. Grants are available for businesses focusing on innovation, research and development, or those creating jobs and contributing to the local economy. 

3. Meeting real estate needs

Choosing the right location is crucial to your business’s success. Whether you need office spaces, industrial sites, or co-working environments, we help you find the perfect fit. 

Property search assistance

We work closely with you to understand your business needs and identify the best locations to meet your objectives. We assess factors such as accessibility and industry-specific requirements to ensure the location meets your operational objectives and, thanks to our partnerships with estate agents, we help you find a property that will meet your needs.

A selection of tailored turnkey sites for immediate use

We offer premium turnkey sites that are ready for immediate use. These fully equipped spaces are designed to meet your business needs without the hassle of setting up infrastructure. Whether you need office, industrial, or research facilities, our turnkey solutions allow you to start operations without delay.

> Download our turnkey site selection 

4. Recruitment and training support

Recruitment can be a major challenge when expanding or establishing a business. In Atlantic France, we offer robust support to help you find the right talent by connecting your business with local recruitment agencies, training providers, and specialised services. This enables you to quickly identify potential candidates, match supply with demand, and improve recruitment outcomes. 

Nosemplois.fr: your recruitment platform

To simplify the recruitment process, Atlantic France provides businesses with access to Nosemplois.fr, a free platform for posting job openings, internships, and work-study positions. This tool helps you reach a broad pool of candidates by allowing you to post vacancies with geolocation and automatically share them across multiple job sites. You can also search a growing database of CVs, with new profiles added daily.

Promoting employee training

The region offers access to various financial incentives to support recruitment and training, making it easier to grow your workforce. For example, the regional council finances 100% of the training costs associated with new hires through the “1 job = 1 training course” initiative. Other programmes, such as professionalisation contracts and employment subsidies, help businesses recruit and train workers efficiently. By putting you in touch with the right specialists, you will also benefit from training programmes designed for your industry.

5. Networking opportunities

Business Solutions Atlantic France helps you connect with the right people and organisations, including local business networks, government bodies, and potential partners, to build strong relationships from day one. We particularly rely on clusters, higher education institutions, and key partners to foster connections.

10 innovation clusters

  • Xylofutur (forests/wood/paper)
  • Valorial (agri-food innovation/smart food)
  • Polymeris (rubber and polymers)
  • EMC2 (advanced manufacturing technologies)
  • Vegepolys Valley (plant production) 
  • Images&Réseaux (digital innovation)
  • Pôle Mer Bretagne Atlantique (marine activities)
  • ID4mobility (automotive industry)
  • Atlanpole Biothérapies (bio-medicine)
  • S2E2 (electric and thermal energies)

36 higher education institutions

Atlantic France boasts a thriving talent pool with 153,443 students across 36 higher education institutions. These include prestigious universities such as Nantes Université and Université d’Angers, along with renowned engineering and business schools such as Audencia Business School, Centrale Nantes, and IMT Atlantique. Additionally, the presence of international secondary schools strengthens the region’s educational ecosystem, providing a highly skilled workforce for businesses and quality solutions for the families of international talent.

48 innovation and business partners

To help your business grow, we can also connect you with many quality partners such as EMC2 (expertise in advanced manufacturing); Neopolia (networking for industrial players in sectors such as aerospace and offshore wind energy); Clarté (virtual and augmented reality solutions); one of our Technocampuses; and FuturaGrow (sustainable innovation in agrifood). These organisations provide expertise, collaborative opportunities, and technological resources to boost competitiveness and innovation.

> See all our partners

6. Long-term support

Once your business is established in Atlantic France, our support continues well beyond the initial setup phase. We work closely with you to tackle challenges and adapt to evolving market conditions. Our economic advisors will collaborate with you to address employer branding challenges, identify growth opportunities, and explore new financial support programmes. Whether you need strategic guidance or tailored solutions, we are committed to ensuring your business continues to thrive and expand in the region.

Over 1,100 international companies have already established themselves in Atlantic France, attracted by the region’s dynamic environment. We maintain regular contact with these internationally-owned businesses to support their continued growth and success. 

Looking for expert guidance to set up your business in Atlantic France? Our team is here to assist with every step of the process, from location selection to financial support. For more information and to get started, visit our page: Support & Advice.

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