Do you have an entrepreneurial project and are you a student? Then the national student-entrepreneur status (SNEE) may be for you! This government initiative implemented in 2021 allows you to launch your startup in your first year at university and obtain the famous D2E, student-entrepreneur diploma.
Since Emmanuel Macron’s presence at the Ministry of the Economy and Finance, France has placed a lot of emphasis on entrepreneurship and offers numerous support schemes for small French gems. Innovation is at the heart of France’s development strategy, a gamble that pays off since national startups create numerous jobs each year, as evidenced by the selection of the NEXT40 and the FT120. In 2023, these start-ups, scale-ups and unicorns will represent 50,000 jobs in France.
What is student-entrepreneur status?
To support students who wish to develop their entrepreneurial projects, the government has set up a new initiative called the SNEE: the national student-entrepreneur status. It is a system offered to students, but also to young graduates who intend to create a business.
The system is aimed at everyone, from the first post-baccalaureate year. You can therefore register for national student-entrepreneur status from your L1 at university or later during your studies. To benefit from the status intended for young entrepreneurs, your application must be accepted by the PÉPITE organization (Student Center for Innovation, Transfer and Entrepreneurship).
Why become a student entrepreneur?
The student-entrepreneur status is a great way to launch your business when you are a student. This is a time of life when it is easy to devote time to entrepreneurial projects. Indeed, being a student offers a certain flexibility in managing time and resources. You have more flexible hours than full-time workers. The national status of student-entrepreneur also allows you to obtain adjustments to your schedule in order to dedicate all your time to your project! Additionally, you can have access to university resources such as career advice and workspaces.
Entrepreneurship also offers a unique opportunity to develop transferable skills such as project management, communication and leadership. You can easily apply these skills in your business while using them later in your career. Starting a business can also be an excellent opportunity for you to develop your professional network. You can then take advantage of this to establish relationships with mentors, investors and other entrepreneurs.
Finally, starting a startup can provide long-term financial benefits. Student entrepreneurs can create a profitable company before they even graduate, which can allow them to generate additional income or support themselves after graduation.
How to have student-entrepreneur status?
To obtain national student entrepreneur status, you must go through the PÉPITE platform. You can then submit your file directly to the government website dedicated to SNEE. PÉPITE can allow you to know if your project is eligible for this status. Be careful, however, to make sure you are eligible.
The government specifies that “ The National Student-Entrepreneur Status is issued to a person based on reality, the quality of the entrepreneurial project, the qualities and motivation to undertake of the project leader. » However, you must have a baccalaureate level diploma. It is important to note that the student-entrepreneur status has no age limit.
If you are eligible and you are leading an important project, know that it is the PÉPITE engagement committee which can register you for the student-entrepreneur establishment diploma, nicknamed D2E.
What is the D2E, the student-entrepreneur establishment diploma?
The student-entrepreneur establishment diploma (D2E) is aimed at graduates applying for national student entrepreneur status. If it is compulsory for them, PÉPITE strongly encourages students currently studying to register for D2E. However, in their particular case, this step is not obligatory.
However, you should know that the D2E is spread over one academic year (or two for students) and costs 500 euros maximum. However, such a diploma can totally be highlighted on your CV. In fact, it is certified by the Ministry of Higher Education and Research. You will then sign a contract which sets out the knowledge and experience that you must acquire upon completion of your student-entrepreneur establishment diploma. Two tutors then determine your commitment throughout the year, as well as your report and your defense, a mandatory step if you want to obtain the D2E.
To join this diploma, you absolutely must have the SNEE, but you do not have to be enrolled in a university or a Grande École, since this system is also aimed at graduates. You will then be followed for three years to measure whether your entrepreneurial project is a success!
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The advantages of the national student-entrepreneur status
The national student-entrepreneur status offers many advantages. You can get your schedule adjusted if you are a student and you can even replace your obligatory internship with an intensive work session on your future startup. But that’s not all! Because the SNEE also provides tailor-made support from two tutors. One of the two is often a PÉPITE referent and may be an entrepreneur or part of an investment fund.
Benefiting from student-entrepreneur status also means benefiting from work spaces, a network of 33 PÉPITEs, financing assistance, greater visibility on your projects, potential legal support with the CAPE, scholarships and ACCRE, a system allowing you to pay very little social security contributions in the first years.
The differences between the status of student-entrepreneur and the status of self-entrepreneur
Student-entrepreneur status is quite different from self-employed status. In both cases, students can request it. However, in the first case, you benefit from support, adjustments to your schedule, internship substitution, and financing assistance. The objective, in the long term, is to set up a real startup which will potentially recruit employees in order to develop its activity.
As part of the self-employed status, you are alone with your project. In general, it is set up to demonstrate expertise to clients or businesses. Many students can be self-employed in graphic design, design, writing, etc. But you remain alone with your project. It is also sometimes an additional activity carried out outside of one’s profession or studies and which is not intended to recruit employees. Please note that you can benefit from ACCRE as a self-employed person if you are under 26 years old.
The SNEE FAQ
How long does the national student-entrepreneur status last?
It lasts one academic year. However, you can renew it as many times as you want. This must be done under the same conditions as the first request.
Who is the national student-entrepreneur status for?
This status is aimed at both students and young (or not so young) active people. Furthermore, the government specifies that it is aimed at everyone, without discrimination based on age, sex or nationality. Thus, foreign or work-study students can also benefit from this entrepreneurial support system.
It is possible to have the national status of student-entrepreneur if you are an employee or a doctoral student, however, the requirements linked to the SNEE can sometimes be incompatible with full-time employment. They do not contravene the rules of labor law. It is important to note that in the case of an employee, registration with D2E is mandatory.
Can I benefit from the SNEE for an existing business?
Yes, you can totally apply for student-entrepreneur status if your business already exists. This system is open for the creation of projects, already existing projects or the takeover of a business. It is important to note that the status is individual and that each person participating in the project can request it by indicating that they are part of this company.
Is the national student-entrepreneur status paid?
No, registration for the SNEE is free. On the other hand, if you are a graduate and you have to register for the D2E, then you can pay registration fees of up to €500 maximum.
