Sowaccess Ecosystem
Published on 16 August 2019
Belgium
Prov. Liège
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
Support at the different stage of the process:
1) Awareness Raising:
Services for potential sellers and buyers:
- Online free diagnostic questionnaire
- Meetings with SOWACCESS advisors
- Events and Networking
- Business Transfer Week (www.semainedelatransmission.be) : ca. 80 events in 5 days with a communication campaign (TV, press, radio)
- Local advisors network (www.ast-e.be) through Chambers of Commerce and local organisations for business leaders
2) Preparation:
2 a) Consultancy service for sellers or buyers :
- access to government subsidies (“cheques-entreprises”) to partly cover the cost of consultancy services
2 b) Training for Buyers:
SOWACCESS organises Buyers’ Clubs all over Wallonia
- 8 training sessions with a coach and a certified advisor (ca. 15 participants per session)
- ca. 5 cycles each year
3) Find a counterpart:
- SME Platform: active matching platform
- “Affaires à Suivre” - online website : for very small businesses, retail, restaurants and craftsmen
- Elevator Pitches
- Partnership with regional platform and cross-border platforms
4) Negotiation :
- Consultancy service for Sellers or Buyers: access to government subsidies (“cheques-entreprises”) to partly cover the cost of consultancy services
5) After buy out:
For Buyers:
Coaching by our partner “Reseau Entreprendre”
- free coaching and advice
- former business owners
1) Awareness Raising:
Services for potential sellers and buyers:
- Online free diagnostic questionnaire
- Meetings with SOWACCESS advisors
- Events and Networking
- Business Transfer Week (www.semainedelatransmission.be) : ca. 80 events in 5 days with a communication campaign (TV, press, radio)
- Local advisors network (www.ast-e.be) through Chambers of Commerce and local organisations for business leaders
2) Preparation:
2 a) Consultancy service for sellers or buyers :
- access to government subsidies (“cheques-entreprises”) to partly cover the cost of consultancy services
2 b) Training for Buyers:
SOWACCESS organises Buyers’ Clubs all over Wallonia
- 8 training sessions with a coach and a certified advisor (ca. 15 participants per session)
- ca. 5 cycles each year
3) Find a counterpart:
- SME Platform: active matching platform
- “Affaires à Suivre” - online website : for very small businesses, retail, restaurants and craftsmen
- Elevator Pitches
- Partnership with regional platform and cross-border platforms
4) Negotiation :
- Consultancy service for Sellers or Buyers: access to government subsidies (“cheques-entreprises”) to partly cover the cost of consultancy services
5) After buy out:
For Buyers:
Coaching by our partner “Reseau Entreprendre”
- free coaching and advice
- former business owners
Resources needed
Funding: 4/5 public funding & 1/5 funding from accredited partners and affiliated buyers
Employees : 8 FTE (mainly university level)
Employees : 8 FTE (mainly university level)
Evidence of success
The Sowaccess has build a good reputation as a neutral public partner and we offer added value thanks to services such as platforms / trainings…
Deals declared by SOWACCESS partners only in 2018:
• 345 deals -> 32% of those deals facilitated by SOWACCESS
• 7.439 jobs secured
• Average deal amount € 2,3 Mio
• Total turnover 1.482 Mio €
Deals declared by SOWACCESS partners only in 2018:
• 345 deals -> 32% of those deals facilitated by SOWACCESS
• 7.439 jobs secured
• Average deal amount € 2,3 Mio
• Total turnover 1.482 Mio €
Potential for learning or transfer
This good practice can be transferred to other regions, or a least some services could be duplicated depending on the specificities of each region.
The main challenge is to imply every actor already active in business transfer and to develop a common working ecosystem. Sowaccess try to offer added value for every stakeholders, such as private partners, potential buyers or sellers.
The main challenge is to imply every actor already active in business transfer and to develop a common working ecosystem. Sowaccess try to offer added value for every stakeholders, such as private partners, potential buyers or sellers.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
Organisation
SA SOWACCESS
Belgium
Prov. Liège
Contact
ProjectCoordinator