Starting your own business involves following a cumbersome and highly regulated legal process. In this new adventure that awaits you, nothing should be left to chance, and it is therefore important to prepare well for the creation of a company so as not to make mistakes that would delay the launch of the activity.

From the birth of the idea to its realization, this article will guide you through the different steps to follow to successfully complete your project.

To create your business, online or not, there are many formalities to complete:

1. Find your idea ;
2. Choose the legal form suited to the project;
3. Search for funding;
4. Carry out a business plan and market research ;
5. Draft the legal statutes;
6. Constitute and deposit the share capital;
7. Declare beneficial owners;
8. Domicile the company;
9. Publish a legal notice;
10. Register the entity on the INPI Single Window .

This is a long and complex process. However, it is possible to group these formalities into three main steps :

1. Preparation of the business project;
2. Completion of the procedures prior to registration;
3. Company registration.

So let’s explore each of the steps in detail and what they involve.

Step 1: Prepare your business project

As we’ve seen, starting your own business is a complex process that requires careful consideration. From the idea to financing, we’ll explain how to properly prepare your business project.

How to find your idea?

Before starting your business, it is important to know where you are going, by having a clear idea of ​​the project.

Good ideas are innovative or respond to a real public need. For example, starting an organic food business may meet a specific consumer demand.

Another thing to consider when looking for a business idea is choosing an area in which you have experience and added value to bring.

Concretely, you will need:

• Identify your passions and skills;
• Research market needs;
• Examine current trends.

Also, don’t hesitate to ask around what people think of your idea. Getting feedback can help you refine your idea.

What legal form should you choose to set up your business?

Choosing a legal form is a delicate issue when starting a business. It is important to choose a form of business that does not exclude the exercise of your activity , but also adapts to your personal needs and aspirations.

Here is an overview of the most common legal forms as well as a list of questions to ask yourself before making a choice.

The different legal forms

In France, there are a multitude of legal forms , each with its own specificities. It is therefore common for entrepreneurs to be somewhat lost when faced with these options.

Here are two tables listing the main characteristics of the most commonly used legal forms. The first is dedicated to entrepreneurs wishing to start their own business ( individual entrepreneur , SASU, etc.), the second to those who wish to form a partnership