FAQ

Anyone who is looking for financing to start or develop a professional activity but who, for different reasons, does not have access to credit in traditional financial institutions.

If your answer to the following 4 questions is yes, you are eligible:

Will the required funding be used for a professional project?

Are you already self-employed or do you want to start soon?

Will your activity generate revenues in Belgium?

Are you not in collective debt settlement?

If you are bankrupt or in debt, you are, in principle, still eligible for a microcredit.

We can also grant a loan as part of a market research study or if you start through an activity cooperative such as Starter Lab, JYB or Smart.

NB: Your application has to be submitted and approved by a Credit Committee.

The purchase of stock, machinery, vehicles or other equipment

Working capital requirements and to support rental costs for the first few months

Financing the administration costs associated with starting a business

Meeting cash flow requirements

Carrying out market research: test a business idea

More information is available on our microcredits page

Your application will be presented to the credit committee. The committee will evaluate/analyze your application on the basis of the following criteria:

• Your experience in the field / as a self-employed person
• The feasibility of your business plan
• Your environment and network
• Your relationship to money and your possible debts
• Your attitude

The credit committees are held weekly. It is the committee members who decide whether or not to grant the credit.

For a credit application, we will ask you for the following documents

From you:

(Copy of) Identity card

Bank card

The document from the National Bank's Central Individual Credit Register OR the PIN code of the identity card¹

Personal and professional bank statements for the last 3 months

Proof of income (depending on your situation: certificate of unemployment, warning from the roll, pay slips)

Proof of domiciliation (invoice, an extract of the identity card)

​From your guarantor:

(Copy of) identity card

Bank card

The document from the National Bank's Central Individual Credit Register OR the PIN code of the identity card1

Proof of income (depending on your situation: certificate of unemployment, warning from the roll, pay slips)

Proof of domiciliation (invoice, an extract of the identity card)

We don't necessarily need a business plan. All you need is a concrete idea of the key figures of your business. However, if you have a financial plan, you can always bring it to the appointment.

¹ You can consult the document from the Central Credit Register on the nbb website

It depends on your responsiveness and willingness to provide the right information and documents. microStart tries to be as responsive as possible. We can in some cases approve your credit within a week if your file is complete. The funds are released immediately after the loan contract is signed. For example: If your project is well defined or if you are already working as a self-employed person and your file is complete and accepted, you can have the funds on your bank account 10 days after your first appointment.

Yes, at microStart we always ask you to have someone you know who is responsible for 50% of the loan amount. The guarantor can be a family member or a close friend, for example, who is not in financial difficulties. 
If you really cannot find anyone who believes in you and your project and who can act as a guarantor, we may, in certain situations and under certain conditions, be able to offer the alternative of guaranteed savings (in discussion with your credit advisor). This is a deposit equivalent to 25% of the amount of the loan, the origin of which you must be able to prove, and which will remain blocked for the entire duration of the loan in a guarantee savings account. You will get this amount back once the entire loan has been repaid.
Please note: your application is always presented by your credit adviser to a credit committee, which decides whether or not the loan can be granted. An application with a guaranteed savings will be considered more risky by the committee and will potentially have less chance of being granted than an application with a guarantor.

Yes, in addition to our loan programme, microStart offers business development services. We offer group sessions as well as individual coaching in order to ensure the proper preparation of your activity.

Do not hesitate to make an appointment even if your professional project is not yet fully completed. However, the application for credit can only take place once you are fully prepared.

No, it is not mandatory, but it is good if you have a concrete idea and some key figures. If you have already established a business plan of your idea, do not hesitate to bring it with you to the first meeting.

microStart does also support existing businesses or non-profit organisation (ASBL – VZW).

Yes, as long as you have shared it openly and transparently with your advisor. He/she will analyse your personal situation with you and establish the best solution to start your business. At any time, the credit advisor or credit committee has the right to refuse the credit application in order to prevent over-indebtedness.​

Yes, if you have benefited from a microStart microcredit, you can have free access to support services in implementing your new ideas as well as possible: personalized coaching, commercial or marketing advice, legal and accounting advice, etc.

If you are unable to repay the monthly installments, it is important that you contact your advisor as soon as possible to notify him/her. In this way, together we can find an appropriate solution to avoid letting the situation deteriorate and to avoid taking additional steps in the recovery procedure.

microStart works in partnership with organisations that offer co-financing. In some cases, they can complement your initial financing needs. For more information, do not hesitate to contact one of our agencies.

As a microStart customer, you have the right to make a formal complaint. You can do this anonymously by filling out this form or by sending an email to complaints@microstart.be

In order for us to deal with a complaint or claim, your name and contact details must be provided. We undertake to provide you with an answer within 15 days.

You can contact us via the volunteers page, specifying how you think you can support us.  We will be happy to contact you to discuss this.

- support microStart for at least 10 hours per month. 

- Be a Volunteer at microStart for at least 6 months. 

- To work at least 1 half-day per week (2 to 3 hours during the day, in the evening, or on weekends).

- Participate in an integration process

- Participate in the initial microStart training (1 day) 

- Participate in meetings and gatherings (3 to 4 times a year)

1. Contact microStart via the volunteers page

2. Meet (interview) with the Agency Manager or Volunteer Coordinator

3. Be present at an advice session (being the meeting between a microStart coach and a (future) entrepreneur to discuss his project). 

4. Be present at a credit committee meets

5. Follow a coach on the field 

6. Follow the initial training (one day)

7. Feedback session with the volunteer manager or volunteer coordinator to define and coordinate missions. 

8. Sign of the volunteer charter

9. Congratulations, you are a volunteer on the microStart team and your mission can begin!

1. Do I have to take the business management exam?

Anyone wishing to become self-employed in Wallony must have a proof of business management knowledge. There are different ways to get it. Please contact us to see if you still need to do the exam.

2. Informations about the exam

The exam can be taken in Dutch or French. Registration for the examination must be made in advance. The waiting time can be more than a month. 

The Management Examination is a computer-based theoretical examination. It mainly includes multiple-choice questions on the following topics: entrepreneurial skills, business plan, business management, accounting, setting up a business and legal aspects. 

3. Follow a free course at microStart

We currently offer this course only in French.

The course prepares you for the Central Jury's Management Examination free of charge. It covers all the topics necessary for successful completion of the Management Access Examination. In 7 sessions, the trainers (volunteers) explore with you a series of standard questions to increase your chances of passing the exam.

The first session is an information session during which we evaluate your starting level.

Conditions: free of charge, but you must register in advance.