For institutional investors evaluating French opportunities, entity structuring and regulatory compliance are critical. France offers several corporate forms, with SAS (Société par Actions Simplifiée) preferred for venture-backed startups.
Entity Structuring
Choose the right corporate form:
- SAS: Preferred for startups. Flexible governance, VC-friendly. Used by Mistral AI, Alan, most French unicorns.
- SARL: SME structure. More rigid governance. Less common for tech.
- SA: Public company structure for IPO candidates.
- Branch: For foreign companies establishing presence without separate entity.
Banking & Payment Infrastructure
Corporate banking options include BNP Paribas, Société Générale, or digital banks like Qonto. SEPA integration ensures seamless euro transactions. Bpifrance serves as strategic financial partner.
Tax Optimization
Maximize returns through Luxembourg/Netherlands holding structures. Engage French tax advisors to navigate CIR claims, JEI status, and withholding tax treaties.
FDI Approval: Generally unrestricted except defense, critical infrastructure. 30-day review for non-sensitive sectors via Ministry of Economy.
See Investment Strategy and VC Landscape for market intelligence.