Why not take over an existing business?
One might associate business takeovers with companies having unpaid debts, but this isn't always the case. Many businesses close because their managers are approaching retirement, for example. Sometimes they have health problems or want to venture into something else...
Business succession is a major challenge for the coming years. About 40% of entrepreneurs in Belgium are over 50 years old, 15% over 60 years old according to Actoria.
Future entrepreneurs will therefore have plenty of choice.
Taking over an existing business provides a customer base, brand recognition, sometimes skilled employees, suppliers...
However, it requires having some money set aside to buy out or invest in the business.
Statistically, the chances of success are higher for a buyer than for a startup founder.
Several websites exist to help you find businesses for sale and assist you in the takeover process.
- Le Moniteur provides a list of businesses and commercial establishments for purchase.
- Affaires à suivre: This is the platform for buying and selling businesses in Brussels and Wallonia. You'll find valuable information and expert advice there.
- The Sowaccess helps you find a business to take over according to your criteria and accompanies you throughout the entire process.
- La Plateforme de la transmission : has been facilitating business transfers for 10 years. Managed by UNIZO, which also offers support programs.
- Cessionpro:A site that lists businesses for takeover.
- Shape.law : A law firm that maintains a list on its website of businesses to take over as part of transfers under judicial authority.
- Le Placard: a marketplace that unearths and highlights aborted projects with high potential. To buy all or part of a business or startup project.
- DotMarketTo safely take over a digital activity.
An accelerator was launched by the Families in Business Chair at ICHEC to support both the seller and buyer in various procedures. If you want more information, click here. here.
In Brussels, there's also Reload Yourself In Brussels, there's also Reload Yourself which accompanies you in taking over a business. This multidisciplinary support is aimed at anyone regardless of your current status: employee, self-employed, job seeker, on sick leave. You must be from Brussels or want to take over a business headquartered in Brussels and already have an idea of a potential project to take over. The support takes the form of regular contact with a business coach. A fee contribution is sometimes requested depending on your situation.
