Starting on 1 September, anyone in Flanders wanting to start up a new business will be able to consult their local branch of Voka or Unizo, both organisations that represent small and medium-sized businesses, to get help drawing up a feasibility study. Instead of the usual cost of €900 for the study, starters will pay only €100. The initial phase of the project will last for two years and aims to provide 2,500 studies in that time.
“This is a crucial phase,” commented Karel Van Eetvelt, director-general of Unizo. “A lot of people walk around for a long time with ‘an idea’, but at a certain point they have to set it down on paper. A well-thought-out, evaluated start is the best key to success.”
In 2010, 40,914 new companies were started in Flanders, an increase of 7% over the previous year. But, according to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, only 3.62% of the population in 2010 was starting up a company or had done so in the previous three years. The average for similar regions was 5.74%. At the same time, nearly 62% of people considered their own business a desirable career option. The gap between the two figures, a spokesman for Peeters said, shows the need for stimulus measures.
“In order to see a positive evolution of the number of start-ups in Flanders in the coming years, it’s important not only to provide a true picture of entrepreneurship, but also to let people know that creating a business is a viable career choice,” said Peeters. “Would-be start-ups have to be provided with enough opportunities to inform and prepare themselves properly.”
Peeters also announced plans for budding entrepreneurs from particular target groups, including women, the over-50s, people with a disability and immigrants.
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