BGE Hauts de France

What BGE Hauts de France does

BGE Hauts de France is a nonprofit association (Association loi 1901) founded in 1979 and part of France's national BGE business creation support network. The organization provides comprehensive entrepreneurship support services across the Nord and Pas-de-Calais departments, with 15+ physical training locations within a 15km coverage radius, a mobile 'bus de la création d'entreprise' reaching underserved communities, and digital channels including a virtual office portal and distance learning platform. Core offerings include business plan expertise, financing research, project testing (Incubatest), cooperative structures (Coopérative d'Activités et d'Emploi), skills assessments (Bilan de compétences), and the BGE CLUB networking community of 20,000+ entrepreneurs. The training division delivers Qualiopi-certified programs (RS6702 social media marketing, RS7344 AI integration, CCPE business creation, micro-enterprise management, website creation, Qualiopi preparation, CRM with Dolibarr) priced between €560 and €1,500, financed via CPF, OPCO, FAF, France Travail, and Transitions Pro channels.

Revenue is generated through a hybrid model combining public funding from the Hauts-de-France Regional Council and EU INTERREG project allocations with training fee revenue from individual program registrations. Since 1979 the organization has supported creation of more than 50,000 businesses, currently trains 3,000+ entrepreneurs annually, and reports an 80% three-year business survival rate among supported companies versus a 70% national average. The organization coordinates the INTERREG Europe SEE project (€1.79M, 2024-2028) and participates in the INTERREG France-Wallonia-Flanders COMMERCE! project (€4.25M total, 2024-2028), positioning it as a regional anchor institution for entrepreneurship support with growing transnational project leadership. Technology infrastructure consists of standard digital platforms (WordPress, ownCloud, Zoom, e-learning LMS) with no proprietary technology stack.

Name

BGE Hauts de France

Legal name

BGE Hauts de France – Association loi 1901

Website

https://bge-hautsdefrance.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

BGE Hauts de France is a nonprofit association and part of France's leading BGE network, providing business creation support, certified training, and networking services to aspiring and established entrepreneurs across the Nord and Pas-de-Calais regions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Entrepreneurship Support Services

NAICS

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (541)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Leadership, Management & Teamwork for Business (EDAMAHAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Business Planning, Pitching & Competitions (Pitch Decks, Demo Days) (EDAMAHAB), Marketing, Branding & Sales Skills (EDAMAHAG)

Keywords

• Business creation support
• Entrepreneur training programs
• Business plan advisory
• Professional certification training
• Entrepreneur networking community

Headquarters

HQ city

Lille

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices15 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Professional Training Services: BGE Hauts de France generates revenue through professional training services offered to entrepreneurs, job seekers, employees, and liberal professionals. Training programs are priced individually (ranging from 560€ to 1200€ for collective training) and can be financed through various mechanisms including CPF (Compte Personnel de Formation), OPCO (skills operators), FAF (professional training funds), or direct payment.
2. Business Creation and Development Support: As an association under the 1901 law, BGE Hauts de France operates with public funding and support from regional council partners. Their core business creation support services appear to be largely subsidized or provided at low/no cost to entrepreneurs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

BGE Hauts de France is a nonprofit business support association that helps aspiring and established entrepreneurs in the Nord and Pas-de-Calais departments through business creation advisory, certified training programs, project testing tools, and a regional entrepreneur network. Since 1979, it has supported the creation of more than 50,000 businesses and trains 3,000+ entrepreneurs per year, achieving an 80% three-year business survival rate. Services span free initial consultations, subsidized advisory, fee-based certifying training (RS6702, RS7344, CCPE, micro-enterprise, website creation, CRM), and a community of 20,000+ entrepreneurs.

Product overview

BGE Hauts de France is a business support association (Association loi 1901) and member of the national BGE network, operating since 1979 as France's leading business creation support network. The organization provides a comprehensive portfolio of services organized around four core offerings: (1) Business creation advisory services including expertise, business plan development, funding assistance, and innovative entrepreneurship solutions; (2) Project testing services including Incubatest, cooperative structures (CAE), and skills assessments; (3) A training division with certified programs including social media marketing (RS6702), AI integration (RS7344), business creation (CCPE), micro-enterprise management, website creation, and CRM training with Dolibarr; and (4) Networking community through BGE CLUB with 20,000+ entrepreneurs. The organization also operates specialized programs including the mobile business creation bus, Quartiers 2030 accelerator, and commerce testing (Mon Commerc'En Test), primarily serving the Nord and Pas-de-Calais regions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BGE CLUB: Community of entrepreneurs with over 20,000 members providing networking, opportunities, and partner benefits
• Mon bureau virtuel
• Incubatest

Products and services

• Business Creation Support Services (Premier contact) Advisory services for aspiring entrepreneurs, including business plan development, financing research, and connection to investors/financing sources. Targeted at project creators in the Nord and Pas-de-Calais regions.
• Incubatest Project testing service that allows aspiring entrepreneurs to validate their business concept before launching. Targeted at individuals with a business idea needing validation.
• Coopérative d'Activités et d'Emploi (CAE) Cooperative structure allowing entrepreneurs to act as both employees and business owners, providing a framework to test entrepreneurial activity while maintaining employment benefits. Targeted at aspiring entrepreneurs wanting to test in a low-risk framework.
• Bilan de compétences Up to 24-hour skills assessment service helping individuals evaluate professional competencies, aptitudes, and motivations to define their professional project. Targeted at individuals considering career change or entrepreneurship.
• Certification RS6702 - Marketing de contenus et réseaux sociaux 3-day certifying training on social media strategy, content creation, community management, conversion tactics, and paid advertising. CPF-eligible at 980€ in collective format. Targeted at entrepreneurs and professionals seeking social media marketing certification.
• Certification RS7344 - Développer son activité avec l'IA 3-day certifying training (RS7344) on AI plan development, implementation in business processes, and performance impact evaluation for TPE/PME leaders. CPF-eligible at 1,200€ in collective format. Targeted at SMB owners integrating AI into their operations.
• BGE CLUB Membership-based entrepreneur community with 20,000+ members in Hauts-de-France, offering networking events, speed-meetings, preferred partner contacts, business directory visibility, and ongoing tips. Targeted at entrepreneurs seeking networking and business opportunities.
• Mon bureau virtuel Virtual office portal providing digital workspace access for entrepreneurs to manage and access resources remotely. Targeted at entrepreneurs and BGE clients needing digital services.
• Bus de la création d'entreprise Mobile business creation service traveling through the Nord-Pas de Calais region to provide free, no-appointment advisory support in neighborhoods, towns, and villages. Targeted at aspiring entrepreneurs in underserved areas.
• Accélérateur Quartiers 2030 Free excellence accelerator program for future or already-registered entrepreneurs from priority urban neighborhoods (QPV), including seminars, masterclasses, workshops, KPI improvement, and professional networking events. Targeted at QPV-based entrepreneurs.
• ACC'ESS Regional aid providing Social and Solidarity Economy (ESS) expertise for project assembly and the first years of activity. Targeted at social economy entrepreneurs in the Avesnois-Littoral region.
• Mon Commerc'En Test Commerce testing program allowing entrepreneurs to test their retail concept in a physical location with progressive rent and expert coaching, while developing their proximity store and web presence. Targeted at aspiring retail entrepreneurs.
• Certification Construire et conduire un projet entrepreneurial (CCPE) 100-hour certification training covering business project definition, market study, marketing strategy, financial forecasting, and legal status selection. CPF-eligible at 1,500€. 71% certification pass rate in 2025. Targeted at aspiring entrepreneurs.
• Gérer et développer une micro-entreprise 28-hour certification training for micro-enterprise management covering legal compliance, offer description, commercial organization, and business development preparation. 72% certification rate in 2025. Targeted at micro-enterprise owners.
• Créer et animer un site internet 49-hour certification training covering website creation with CMS, responsive content, accessible navigation, SEO, and maintenance planning. 82% certification rate in 2025. Targeted at entrepreneurs and SMBs needing a web presence.
• Référencement payant (SEA) 7-hour training on Google Ads campaigns, local advertising, Google Shopping, display and YouTube campaigns. Targeted at entrepreneurs wanting to drive paid traffic.
• Préparez sereinement votre certification Qualiopi 10-hour training helping training organizations prepare for Qualiopi certification audit, covering National Quality Reference requirements, document construction, and audit preparation. 100% success rate in 2025. Targeted at training organization directors.
• Organisation commerciale avec Dolibarr (CRM) 14-hour training on setting up commercial organization using Dolibarr CRM, covering client/prospect management, product/service management, quotes, and invoicing. Targeted at SMB owners implementing CRM.
• Professionnels du bien-être - Développer son activité 16-hour training for wellness and alternative medicine professionals on business development, networking, communication, value proposition, and activity organization. Targeted at wellness and alternative medicine practitioners.
• Micro-enterprise Essentials (Distance Learning) 15+13-hour distance learning program for essential micro-enterprise creation training, priced at 590€. Targeted at aspiring micro-enterprise creators.
• AI Training Programs for Entrepreneurs Suite of AI training programs for entrepreneurs including a 1-day 'Booster son efficacité avec l'Intelligence Artificielle' course and the RS7344 certification, covering generative AI prompt engineering, content creation, automation, and AI integration into business processes. Targeted at entrepreneurs looking to integrate AI tools.

Quantifiable outcome

• 80% of businesses created after BGE support survive at 3 years, compared to 70% national average
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• INTERREG FWV - COMMERCE! ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 202414 cities and 5 specialized organizations in the France-Wallonia-Flanders border region unite to revitalize city center commerce. Total project cost: 4,249,000€ with 2,549,400€ FEDER funding (July 2024 - June 2028). Project led by KERNpunt with partners including POM West-Vlaanderen, Stad Kortrijk, Stad Brugge, multiple French and Belgian municipalities, and BGE Hauts de France.
• KERNpuntcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2024Lead partner for the COMMERCE! Interreg project coordinating cross-border commerce revitalization efforts.
• INTERREG Europe - Sustainable Entrepreneurship Education (SEE) ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2024BGE Hauts-de-France coordinates the European SEE project (Budget: 1,792,847€, Duration: April 2024 - June 2028) aimed at integrating sustainable entrepreneurship into education for youth aged 15-20. Partners include: Economic Council of East Flanders (Belgium), Harghita County Council (Romania), District of Rottal-Inn (Germany), Riga Local Government (Latvia), Lazio Region (Italy), West Pomerania Region (Poland), and Hauts-de-France Regional Council (France).
• France TravailmajorOthersPublic employment service partner that can intervene in financing training for job seekers and those in professional reconversion projects.
• Transitions Pro Hauts de FrancemajorOthersRegional professional transition organization that can finance training for employees engaged in professional reconversion projects.
• OPCO (Operators of Skills)majorOthersBGE Hauts de France works with main OPCOs that can partially or fully fund training for employees and certain employee-equivalent directors (SAS, SASU...) through their companies.
• FAF (Professional Training Funds)majorOthersBGE Hauts de France works with main FAFs that can finance training for self-employed workers (craftsmen, merchants, liberal professionals) including Agefice, FIF PL, FAFCEA.
• CPF (Compte Personnel de Formation)majorOthersPersonal Training Account program that allows many active workers to finance training using rights acquired throughout their professional career. BGE offers CPF-eligible certifications.
• Hauts-de-France Regional CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional council partner in the SEE Interreg Europe project and key regional funding partner for entrepreneurship support programs.
• BGE National NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBGE Hauts de France is part of the national BGE network, France's first business creation support network, providing shared resources, methodologies, and national coordination.
• BGE CLUB Partner BusinessesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTrusted partners providing preferential rates for BGE CLUB members including insurance, accounting, banking, and business equipment services.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• ADIE (Association pour le Droit à l'Initiative Économique): ADIE is a French nonprofit providing microcredit and entrepreneurship support to underserved populations, including in Hauts-de-France. It overlaps with BGE on inclusive entrepreneurship targeting job seekers and QPV residents, offering similar advisory services alongside its financing arm.
• France Active: France Active is a national nonprofit network financing and supporting social and solidarity economy entrepreneurship — directly overlapping with BGE's mission of supporting aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly in financing access and pre/post-creation support.
• Réseau Entreprendre: Réseau Entreprendre is a French nonprofit association providing business creation support via volunteer entrepreneur mentoring, financing, and networking — competing directly for entrepreneur mindshare across French regions with similar peer-support methodology.
• Initiative France: Initiative France runs a national network of local associations providing interest-free loans, mentoring, and advisory services to business creators — a comparable nonprofit model targeting the same entrepreneur segments with similar subsidized support.
• BGE national network (other BGE regional offices): BGE Hauts de France is part of the national BGE network, France's leading business creation support network with 40+ regional offices. Other BGE offices deliver the same core services (advisory, training, networking) using shared methodology and Qualiopi-certified programs, making them direct peer franchises.
• CCI Hauts-de-France (Chambers of Commerce and Industry): CCI Hauts-de-France provides subsidized business creation support, training, and advisory services across the same Nord-Pas-de-Calais region. Like BGE, it offers CFE formalities support, training programs, and entrepreneur mentoring — competing directly for the same target audience.

Emerging players

• Webmarketing & Co'M: Webmarketing & Co'M is the training organization that delivers BGE's RS7344 AI certification. It is a private digital marketing training specialist overlapping with BGE on content marketing, SEO, and AI courses — comparable as a content/training provider targeting similar French entrepreneurs.

Broad incumbents

• GRETA (GRoupements d'ETAblissements): GRETA is the public education system's network of adult training providers, offering Qualiopi-certified continuing education across French regions. It directly competes with BGE for CPF/OPCO-funded vocational training demand in digital and business skills.
• AFPA (Agence nationale pour la formation professionnelle des adultes): AFPA is France's national professional training organization, a broad incumbent with regional centers delivering Qualiopi-certified professional training. It competes for CPF-funded training demand across many of the same competency areas (digital, business) as BGE's certifications.
• France Travail (formerly Pôle Emploi): France Travail is France's national public employment service, a partner and funder of BGE training. While broader in mandate (employment vs entrepreneurship), it offers entrepreneur exploration and skills assessment services and is a key referral source — making it both a partner and partial competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/BGETV
• Facebookfacebook.com/bgehautsdefrance
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bge-hauts-de-france
• Instagraminstagram.com/bgehdf
• Xx.com/bgehdf

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about BGE Hauts de France