Victoriaville, July 3, 2024 – As part of its ambitious business succession project, the SADC Arthabaska-Érable is today releasing a portrait of the situation of business takeovers (repreneuriat) in the region, developed following a survey conducted among local entrepreneurs. The economic development organization is also presenting tools to raise awareness of repreneuriat, created under this project.
Since many businesses will be affected by the issue of entrepreneurial succession over the coming years, the SADC announced in early 2024 that it would launch a major project to support entrepreneurs in selling or buying a company. Recall that the objective of the project is to assist both sellers (transferors) and buyers (acquirers), in order to ensure the sustainability and development of local businesses by selling them to local purchasers and thus preventing capital flight.
Portrait of the repreneuriat situation
The first step in the project involved, in collaboration with the Corporation de développement économique de Victoriaville et sa région, Développement économique de L’Érable, and the Chambre de commerce et d’industrie des Bois-Francs et de L’Érable, creating a portrait of the situation of business transfers in Arthabaska-Érable through a survey answered by 82 entrepreneurs. “Based on the analysis of the responses collected by the survey, we see that this region is no exception to the rest of the province, meaning that business succession represents a significant challenge for entrepreneurs. We will be pleased to support them in their company transfers,” says SADC General Director, Jocelyn Grondin.
Here are a few key findings from this portrait:
✓ 40% of respondents plan to sell their business within the next 5 years
▪ 73% of these respondents intend to sell because they plan to retire
▪ 56% of these respondents have not yet found a buyer for their business
▪ 60% of these respondents do not know how they will go about finding a buyer for their business
✓ 70% of respondents have not yet started planning their business transfer
✓ 32% of respondents wish to remain employed by the business after selling it
To view the complete portrait:
portrait repreneuriat arthabaska erable
Following the completion of this portrait, the SADC Board President, Gaétan Lehouillier, states that “Our partners are already running great initiatives to encourage repreneuriat, and we clearly intend to continue working together with them, pursuing our efforts toward our shared objective: to foster the transfer of businesses to local buyers.”
Raising awareness of repreneuriat
The next step is for the SADC to move into awareness mode. Drawing on the findings and trends emerging from this portrait, we have developed web content to inform entrepreneurs about key elements to consider when selling or buying a business. A new “Repreneuriat” section has therefore been added to the SADC’s website.
Entrepreneurs can find video snippets that answer several questions, such as: “How can I find a buyer for my business?”, “How do I increase the value of my business?”, “Should I sell 100% of my business or only part of it?” and “Should I stay employed in my business after selling it or not?”. To create these video capsules, the SADC collaborated with an expert in the field, Clermont Paquet, a certified coach and strategist at Soleva.
This new “Repreneuriat” section also includes inspiring stories from local entrepreneurs who have sold or purchased a business, as well as blog posts covering various topics related to business transfers.
To access the web content:
Videos: view the videos
Inspiring stories: see the inspiring stories
Blogs: see the blog
Support and financing
In order to support the entrepreneurs of the MRCs of Arthabaska and L’Érable, the team of SADC professionals offers free guidance throughout the process of buying or selling a business. Moreover, since financing is a critical factor in business transfers, the SADC provides buyers with financing that will make it possible to finalize a business purchase and thus secure its future.
About the SADC Arthabaska-Érable
Founded in 1984 and supported by the Government of Canada, the SADC Arthabaska-Érable’s mission is to enrich the communities of the MRCs of Arthabaska and L’Érable by supporting and carrying out projects that stimulate economic, social, and environmental development. The SADC offers various services, including business support and financing, while actively contributing to local vitality by initiating and backing projects that promote entrepreneurship and economic growth.
Contact the SADC at 819 758‑1501 or
