Has the French enthusiasm for entrepreneurship dried up or does it continue to persist in this difficult economic context? Do the French still want to be entrepreneurial? Focus on this sector that creates job creation.
Eloquent figure
A study conducted by OpinionWay for Go Entrepreneurs with a representative sample of the French population shows that nearly one in three French people want to undertake, create a business, take over one or become self-employed (29%), or nearly 15.7 million of potential entrepreneurs in France. This upward trend is confirmed year after year.
Young people are once again the driving forces behind this craze: 49% 18-24 year olds and 59% 25-34 year olds say they want to take the plunge. Furthermore, half of these project leaders envisage rapid realization, over the course of the next two years.
Projects already prepared
In just a few years, entrepreneurship has become more democratized and has moved away from the sole logic of family transmission. Among French people who wish to start a business, young people are more advanced in their approach: a large majority of them have already formalized or prepared their project compared to the rest of the population.
But why create?
The French first want to be their own boss and do things their way, while seeking to express their creativity (49%) and to develop personally (48%), criteria now placed before the search for immediate profitability.
This desire for emancipation and autonomy is observed among most respondents, whether they already have a structured project or not. Note that the passion profession continues to make future creators dream, particularly the younger generation. Furthermore, the quest for meaning is progressing: more than one in two French people (52%) says he is prepared to accept lower remuneration to carry out an activity with a positive societal or environmental impact.
As those responsible for the Go Entrepreneurs event point out: “It is interesting to observe that the reasons pushing the French on the path to entrepreneurship are more related to self-fulfilment. This demonstrates a certainan evolution in the perception of the image of the entrepreneur over the years. This is encouragedeante because it will make it possible to break down many prejudices linked to the creation of a business, in particular on its financing or thethe required qualifications. »
The targeted sectors
A majority of French people want to turn to the sector in which they currently operate, while favoring territorial roots: 83% of them favor France and their region to develop their activity.
Craft professions (cabinetmaker, hairdresser, florist, plumber, etc.) as well as the hotel/restaurant industry (hotel, gîte, bar, restaurant, etc.) continue to attract a significant proportion of project leaders. Conversely, innovative technological start-ups (Edtech, Healthtech, Fintech) generate more targeted enthusiasm, mainly attracting a young and specialized audience.
The fear of failure has not disappeared
Although a significant portion of the population believes they have the profile for “make good entrepreneurs”what is stopping them from taking the plunge? The fear of financial instability and irregular income remains the number one obstacle, cited by 57% women and 47% men. The anticipation of cash flow needs and the lack of personal contribution also constitute major blockages during the launch.
Above all, the impression of lacking management and management skills affects even 87% under 35 years old. This explains why the fear of failure and financial risk still paralyzes nearly two out of three respondents, all categories combined, whether starting before the age of 25 or starting a business after the age of 50.
An awareness of support systems
However, project leaders remain aware that there are material solutions. Nearly half of them clearly identify financial aid (bonuses, grants, scholarships, etc.) as a “device on which to rely for the creation of their project”.
They also know the new financing solutions (participatory loan, honorary loan, subsidized loan). Finally, a majority of them still regret that the school system does not sufficiently prepare for business creation and entrepreneurial culture from an early age.
