Starting a business: financing, subsidies and Afsca
A series of instruments is available in the Brussels-Capital Region to help you when you are buying/leasing your business, and potentially for the execution of transformation work. They range from financing options to the location selected to existing subsidies and registration with Afsca. Here are a few to help you set up your business successfully.
Financing and subsidies
The 1819 website provides an overview of the relevant financing options available for your project:
- Loans with advantageous terms
- Potential capital increase
- Guarantees to facilitate access to traditional bank loans
- etc...
In addition, some subsidies provided by the public authorities can help you set up your project:
- Regional aid for general investments: this subsidy from the Region is intended for new investments and for all Brussels-based SMEs, with the exclusion of some sectors (finance, real estate, healthcare, education, non-profits, etc.).
- Consultancy premium: it can be up to 60% of the fees charged for a “visibility operation” or a feasibility study, for example.
- Crowdfunding: you can also work via a crowdfunding website to collect funds for an entrepreneurial project,
- The OpenSoon project: under certain conditions, you can request aid for renovation and a business launch allowance.
1819’s ecosubsibru page and BruPart’s loan page may be of interest to help you better identify subsidies and funding solutions.
You must register and obtain an authorisation from Afsca if you are an operator in the food chain and a processor of foodstuffs. In addition, your premises must also comply with the hygiene standards in effect. They are defined for each type of business.
The self-checking guide for bakeries and patisseries, which includes chocolate making, also provides the required information. The Brufotec non-profit, in particular, can provide assistance with set up and compliance with the standards.
