Among the wide range of options available for starting a business, wage portage through an activity and employment co-operative (CAE) is a solution for those who wish to combine running a business with being an employee in France.
A practical overview and solution for starting a business at your own pace, close to home and throughout France.
France’s diverse regions provide fertile ground for entrepreneurship, multiple jobs, remote working and mobility. The CAE offers a way to do business differently, whether working together or on your own.
The contractor contract under the Cooperative for Activities and Employment (CAE*) scheme allows you to be both self-employed – in the development of your business – AND an employee, by converting your turnover into a payslip that takes business expenses into account.
But what about networking and support? The cooperative, whether organised as an SCOP* or SCIC*, offers a collective solution for running a business on your own, whilst working together, at your own pace.
Why join a Work and Employment Co-operative?
A collection of profiles of entrepreneurs and personal accounts to help us better understand CAEs:
Entrepreneurship at CAE
An activity and employment co-operative is a way of doing business differently, organised by region, by theme, or based on one or more areas of expertise.
In many regions of France, business cooperatives (CAEs) offer a solution that combines dynamic cooperation, flexibility of use and a local presence.
Joining a business and entrepreneurs’ cooperative (CAE*) in France, enables you to draw up quotations, issue invoices, claim back business expenses and convert your turnover into a payslip whilst enjoying secure employment status, ranging from the business project support contract (CAPE*) to the associate salaried entrepreneur contract (CESA*).
Beyond the practical aspects, it also offers support throughout your project, with training and a unique networking opportunity to help you set up your business, either as a freelancer OR as part of a supportive community.
⚠️ 10 UNWANTED EFFECTS if you join a CAE
Whether as a standalone status or in combination with others depending on your circumstances (unemployed, employee, sole trader, etc.), it is a simple and effective way to supplement your income, launch a business venture with complete peace of mind, and become self-employed within a co-operative.
Find your CAE?
And to attend a group information session or contact your nearest business co-operative, please visit the national directory of business co-operatives:
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