In 2013, microStart, the micro-credit specialist, granted 402 micro-loans, up 46% on the previous year.

microStart already has branches in Brussels, Liège and Ghent, and has now decided to extend its services to Antwerp and Charleroi.


The basic mission of microStart is to help reduce unemployment and combat social exclusion by providing small loans to people who wish to set up or expand their own business but who are unable to go through the traditional banking channels. The micro-finance organisation also arranges basic support and assistance free of charge from volunteer professionals.

In 2013, microStart held meetings with 1,700 project originators and granted 402 microloans – with an average amount of less than €5,000 – up 46% on 2012.

Since microStart was set up in 2011, its advisors have held discussions with over 3,000 people wishing to set up or expand their own businesses, and have granted around 800 micro-loans for a total amount of €2.5 million. The reimbursement rate for these micro-loans is 92%. In total, microStart has thus helped to create close to 400 jobs in Belgium.

The businesses set up by microStart’s micro-entrepreneur clients require very little startup investment; the average financial plan totals just €10,000. Lending by sector breaks down among: retail (44%), services (19%), transport (12%), restaurants and catering (11%), arts and entertainment (6%), building (4%), crafts businesses (3%) and agriculture (1%).

Given this growing success, the micro-finance specialist announced, during reporting of annual results, the intention to open two new agencies in Antwerp and Charleroi from September onwards. With this expansion in its network, microStart expects to finance some 600 micro-loans in 2014.

microStart general manager Patrick Sapy believes that this initiative meets a need that affects not only the capital city but the whole of Belgium. He explains: “In 2014 we’ll be celebrating our 1,000th micro-loan, but it still remains difficult for our clients to obtain help with managing their businesses. Moreover, the transition from unemployment to self-employed status and the relatively high social security contributions which this entails can make it very difficult to set up a small business. If these barriers were lifted, demand would be much stronger and the number of business startups would increase substantially.”

microStart is the result of a partnership between ADIE, a French non-profit organisation dedicated to helping people to create their own jobs, BNP Paribas Fortis and the European Investment Fund. It also enjoys the backing of various government authorities, both regional – Brussels-Capital and Wallonia – and local, plus a number of charities and companies.

In May 2013, Philippe Maystadt, former Deputy Prime Minister of Belgium and also former President of the European Investment Bank, joined microStart as Chairman of the Board of Directors.

www.microstart.be