Second Souffle
Second Souffle is a French non-profit association founded in 2010 that provides free, confidential peer-to-peer support from 350+ volunteer mentors to entrepreneurs in difficulty across France, with 6,200+ beneficiaries supported since inception and a 90% accompaniment success rate.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2010
- HeadquartersLevroux, France
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Second Souffle does
Second Souffle (legal name: Association Second Souffle) is a French non-profit association (association loi 1901) founded in July 2010 by Dimitri Pivot and his wife Séverine Pivot following Dimitri's personal experience of business failure. Headquartered in Levroux, Indre (2 rue Hoche, 36110), the association provides free, confidential, time-unlimited peer support to French entrepreneurs experiencing business difficulties, ranging from independent workers and micro-entrepreneurs to TPE/PME owners. Beneficiaries are matched with volunteer peer entrepreneurs who have themselves experienced and rebounded from business failure, with a reported 90% successful accompaniment rate based on satisfaction surveys and 6,200+ entrepreneurs cumulatively supported as of December 31, 2024.
The association operates a distributed national delivery model combining a digital platform (website, bimonthly newsletter, weekly webinars — 150+ since March 2020), 10+ regional antennas and relays across France (Nantes/Vendée, Dordogne, AURA, Occitanie, Sud, Île-de-France, Rouen, Hauts-de-France), the Baromètre [Re]Agir diagnostic tool developed by Sandra Magras (PhD in law), the L'Instant Coach on-demand coaching service, full-day '24h pour REBONDIR' regional events, and the CLÉS POUR ENTREPRENDRE educational platform. The organization employs 59 staff and mobilizes 350+ volunteer mentors nationwide. All services are provided free of charge to end users.
The business model is donation- and grant-funded. The association was privately financed by its founders for the first eight years and obtained recognition as an 'Association reconnue d'intérêt général' from the French Ministry of Finance in July 2016, enabling tax-deductible donations. Current funding comes from public grants (regional governments, institutional partners), private sponsorships, and event-related contributions. Key institutional partners include Bpifrance, AGEFICE, CNAJMJ, Banque de France, URSSAF, CCI, CMA, France Travail, Generali, Fondation Francis Lefebvre, Bibby Factor, and FACTOfric. Second Souffle is a founding member of the Portail du Rebond des Entrepreneurs and co-signatory of the Charte de confiance signed at Bercy in February 2026.
Second Souffle firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Second Souffle
- Legal name
- Association Second Souffle
- Website
- https://secondsouffle.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2010
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Second Souffle is a French non-profit association founded in 2010 that provides free, confidential peer-to-peer support from 350+ volunteer mentors to entrepreneurs in difficulty across France, with 6,200+ beneficiaries supported since inception and a 90% accompaniment success rate.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Second Souffle is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Levroux
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Second Souffle business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Donations and Private Sponsorship: The association relies primarily on private financing and donations. Second Souffle was self-funded by founders for 8 years. Private partnerships with companies and organizations provide ongoing support.
- Public Grants and Institutional Support: Recognition as 'Association reconnue d'intérêt général' (general interest organization) by the Ministry of Finance in July 2016 allows for tax-deductible donations. Partnerships with public institutions and regional governments provide financial support.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Other | Free confidential support for entrepreneurs in difficulty |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Second Souffle product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Second Souffle provides free, confidential, time-unlimited peer-to-peer accompaniment to French entrepreneurs in difficulty, matching beneficiaries with volunteer entrepreneurs who have personally experienced business failure and successful rebound. The service is delivered through a national network of 10+ regional antennas and relays, supplemented by weekly educational webinars, on-demand coaching (L'Instant Coach), full-day regional events (24h pour REBONDIR), and a diagnostic self-assessment tool (Baromètre [Re]Agir), all funded by donations, private sponsorship, and public grants.
Product overview
Second Souffle is a non-profit association offering a suite of human-centered support services for entrepreneurs in difficulty. The core offering consists of confidential peer-to-peer coaching and accompaniment, supplemented by weekly webinars (Nos Webinars), on-demand coaching (L'Instant Coach), full-day events (24h pour REBONDIR), and the Baromètre [Re]Agir diagnostic tool. The association also provides educational resources through its CLÉS POUR ENTREPRENDRE platform and maintains engagement through bimonthly newsletters. All services are free, confidential, and delivered by trained volunteer entrepreneurs who have experienced business difficulties themselves.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- 24h pour REBONDIR: Annual event day dedicated to entrepreneurs facing difficulties: conferences, round tables, exhibitors, and networking opportunities.
- L'Instant Coach
- Nos Webinars
Products and services
- Confidential Entrepreneur Support (Accompagnement confidentiel) Free, confidential accompaniment service for French entrepreneurs facing business difficulties, delivered by trained volunteer peer entrepreneurs who have personally experienced business failure and successful rebound. Provided without fees and without time limits.
- Nos Webinars Weekly webinar sessions informing and sensitizing entrepreneurs on best practices to prepare their rebound. More than 150 sessions have been delivered since launch.
- L'Instant Coach On-demand coaching service providing immediate support to entrepreneurs in difficulty.
- 24h pour REBONDIR Full-day events dedicated to entrepreneurs featuring conferences, round tables, exhibitors, and networking opportunities. Multiple regional editions have been held across France since 2017.
- Baromètre [Re]Agir Diagnostic self-assessment tool developed by Sandra Magras (PhD in law) that helps entrepreneurs identify their specific situation and challenges for personalized support.
- CLÉS POUR ENTREPRENDRE Educational resource platform providing practical keys and tools for entrepreneurs to inform and guide them through business challenges.
- Bimonthly Newsletters Bimonthly email newsletter providing news, articles, and updates about the association's activities and entrepreneurship topics.
Quantifiable outcome
- 90% successful accompaniment rate based on satisfaction surveys
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Second Souffle
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Second Souffle technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Second Souffle partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and regional.
- Portail du Rebond des EntrepreneurscoreFounding member of the Portail du Rebond des Entrepreneurs. Signatory of the 'Charte de confiance pour renforcer l'anticipation, l'accompagnement et la prévention des difficultés des entreprises' launched at Bercy.
- CNAJMJ (Conseil National des Administrateurs Judiciaires et Mandataires Judiciaires)coreRenewed partnership convention signed by Philippe Le Meur (Second Souffle Secretary General) and François-Charles Desprat (CNAJMJ President). Partnership aims to facilitate orientation of entrepreneurs facing difficulties toward Second Souffle.
- AGEFICEcoreAGEFICE (fonds d'assurance formation des dirigeants d'entreprise) has renewed its partnership with Second Souffle. AGEFICE supports continuing education for business leaders and entrepreneurs.
- BpifrancecoreBpifrance has renewed its confidence in Second Souffle. Bpifrance is the French public investment bank supporting entrepreneurs.
- AIST Béziers - Prévention Santé TravailregionalConvention signed with AIST Béziers to support and protect the health of entrepreneurs in the region.
- Mon Projet d'EntrepriseregionalSecond Souffle participated in the regional launch of the Mon Projet d'Entreprise device to support entrepreneurs in their projects.
- Région Hauts-de-FrancecoreNew partnership with the Hauts-de-France Region to support entrepreneurs in situations of fragility in the region.
- FACTOfricregionalFACTOfric provides support to Second Souffle through a convention partnership, helping entrepreneurs with factoring and cash flow solutions.
- Fondation Francis LefebvreregionalPartnership with the Francis Lefebvre Foundation to support entrepreneurs of PME/TPE in difficulty with tax and legal expertise.
- URSSAF Auvergne-Rhône-AlpesregionalPartnership with URSSAF AURA to support entrepreneurs in difficulty in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
- Agglomération Estérel Côte d'AzurregionalOfficial partnership with the Agglomération Estérel Côte d'Azur for economic development across five municipalities. Patrick Fouassier (Second Souffle) and Peggy Herth (volunteer) met with Marcel Faure (Director) and Nathalie Laurent Landi.
- Bibby FactorregionalPartnership with Bibby Factor, a financing solutions provider, to support entrepreneurs in difficulty.
- GeneralicoreGenerali organized the 'Mon Rebond Pro' Business Arena event at Stade de Saint-Denis where Second Souffle participated to raise awareness among insurance broker networks.
- Bpifrance (BIG Paris)coreSecond Souffle present at BIG Paris 2025 organized by Bpifrance at Accor Arena, the key entrepreneurship event with focus on women's entrepreneurship, rebound, and support.
- 60 000 RebondscorePartner association in the entrepreneurship support ecosystem. Both organizations work together at events like the salon RESTART in Marseille alongside ADIE, BGE, CMA, CCI, HEC, Germinal, URSSAF.
- Go Entrepreneurs LyonregionalSecond Souffle participated at Go Entrepreneurs Lyon event at La Sucrière with the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes volunteer team providing support to entrepreneurs.
- Banque de FrancecorePartner in the 'Charte de confiance' initiative. Part of the national ecosystem working on early detection and prevention of business difficulties.
- URSSAFcoreSignatory of the Charte de confiance. Works with Second Souffle on early detection and support for entrepreneurs facing social contribution difficulties.
- CCI (Chambres de Commerce et d'Industrie)coreNetwork of French Chambers of Commerce as partners in the Charte de confiance and at regional events.
- CMA (Chambres des Métiers et de l'Artisanat)coreNetwork of French Chambers of Trades and Crafts as partners in the Charte de confiance and regional entrepreneurship events.
- Médiation du créditregionalCredit mediation service partner in the Charte de confiance ecosystem for business difficulty prevention.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Second Souffle competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- R\u00e9seau Entreprendre: Network providing entrepreneur mentoring and financing across France. Comparable model pairing experienced entrepreneurs with founders facing challenges, with strong institutional support.
- Initiative France: Federation of local associations providing zero-interest loans and mentoring to entrepreneurs, including those in difficulty. Comparable peer-support and donation-driven funding model with national scale.
- France Active: Network financing and supporting entrepreneurs in difficulty, particularly social and solidarity economy actors. Share the same target population and funding sources, including public institutions.
- BGE (Boutiques de Gestion): National network supporting business creation and development, particularly for vulnerable entrepreneurs. Cited as a partner at Salon RESTART and shares Second Souffle's focus on early-stage and at-risk entrepreneurs.
- 60 000 Rebonds: France's largest entrepreneur support association, offering peer mentoring and post-failure rebound programs. It is explicitly cited as a partner of Second Souffle and competes for the same donor and institutional funder base.
- ADIE: Association for the Right to Economic Initiative, providing microcredit and support to entrepreneurs excluded from traditional banking. Cited as a partner (Salon RESTART) and serves overlapping entrepreneurs-in-difficulty segments in France.
Broad incumbents
- CCI France (Chambres de Commerce et d'Industrie): National network of Chambers of Commerce providing business support, training, and diagnostics. Partner of Second Souffle through the Charte de confiance and serves a similar audience through commercial channels.
- France Travail (formerly P\u00f4le Emploi): French national employment agency providing support to job seekers, including entrepreneurs who have failed. Cited as a partner and serves part of Second Souffle's RSA-recipient entrepreneur segment.
- Bpifrance: French public investment bank offering financing, guarantees, and support to entrepreneurs. It is a key partner of Second Souffle but operates at much greater scale, with overlapping mission in business recovery and prevention.
Others
- APCE (now part of CCI) - BPI France Cr\u00e9ation: Free online portal and resource platform for business creators run by Bpifrance. It overlaps with Second Souffle's CL\u00c9S POUR ENTREPRENDRE platform in providing educational resources to entrepreneurs.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Second Souffle social profiles
Digital presenceSecond Souffle financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Second Souffle leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
Second Souffle funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Second Souffle M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Second Souffle
What does Second Souffle do?
Second Souffle provides free, confidential, time-unlimited peer-to-peer accompaniment to French entrepreneurs in difficulty, matching beneficiaries with volunteer entrepreneurs who have personally experienced business failure and successful rebound. The service is delivered through a national network of 10+ regional antennas and relays, supplemented by weekly educational webinars, on-demand coaching (L'Instant Coach), full-day regional events (24h pour REBONDIR), and a diagnostic self-assessment tool (Baromètre [Re]Agir), all funded by donations, private sponsorship, and public grants.
Is Second Souffle a public or private company?
Second Souffle is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Second Souffle founded?
Second Souffle was founded in 2010. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Second Souffle based?
Second Souffle is headquartered in Levroux, France, in the Europe region.
How does Second Souffle make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Donations and Private Sponsorship is the primary driver. The others are public Grants and Institutional Support.
Who are Second Souffle's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are R\u00e9seau Entreprendre, Initiative France, France Active, BGE (Boutiques de Gestion), 60 000 Rebonds and ADIE. Broad incumbents are CCI France (Chambres de Commerce et d'Industrie), France Travail (formerly P\u00f4le Emploi) and Bpifrance. APCE (now part of CCI) - BPI France Cr\u00e9ation is listed as an others.
Does Second Souffle have an API?
No public API is recorded for Second Souffle.