Bpifrance (the French public investment bank) supports a PME (small or medium-sized enterprise) in two ways: by guaranteeing your bank's loans, or by lending itself, alongside bank financing. Terms and amounts change often: check them on bpifrance.fr when you apply. Here is what to prepare.
1. The main types of solution
- Bank loan guarantees: it is your bank that applies for them, through its dedicated portal. The guarantee covers part of the bank's potential loss; you remain liable for repaying the full amount (Bpifrance Création).
- Development loans: with no security over the company's assets or the director's personal assets, they accompany a bank loan or an equity contribution of at least the same amount, with a deferred repayment period.
- Online loans for very small businesses and SMEs (Bpifrance Flash), applied for entirely online.
- Innovation aid, export prospecting insurance and equity investments, for specific projects.
2. The platform
Applications are made on “Bpifrance en ligne”: project description, upload of supporting documents, signature by SMS code. For a loan backed by bank financing, the process also goes through your bank.
3. The documents often requested
- the accounts for the last two financial years;
- a Kbis (company registration extract) less than 3 months old;
- the director's identity document;
- a business RIB (bank account details);
- a certificate from your chartered accountant (expert-comptable);
- depending on the product, proof of the associated bank loan;
- for a development project: the financing plan, the financial forecast and a presentation of the program (investments, hiring, export).
4. Our advice
- Talk to your bank first: most Bpifrance solutions work in tandem with bank financing.
- Prepare a single application for both: same financial forecast, same financing plan, same assumptions.
- Explain the project on one page: what the money finances, what it brings in, and when.
- Look at the alternatives too: France Active, sociétés de caution mutuelle (mutual guarantee companies), regional funds.
Please note: this guide is for information only, up to date as of 14 October 2026, and is no substitute for advice tailored to your situation. Bpifrance's products, terms and required documents change: check them on bpifrance.fr when you apply. For a specific case, consult your chartered accountant or your lawyer.