The Rebound Portal and the French Building Federation become partners to support struggling entrepreneurs

This event marks an important step in the collective mobilization of ecosystem stakeholders, drawing on the strengths of the FFB, which represents more than 50.000 construction companies in France, and the support network of the Portail du Rebond.

A synergy for concrete actions

In a context where business failures have reached a worrying level (67.830 in 2024, i.e. +30% compared to 2019 according to the Altares Study “Business failures and safeguards: 4th quarter and 2024 results) and where the construction sector is beginning to be affected, the partnership between the FFB and the Portail du Rebond aims to offer craftsmen and entrepreneurs simplified access to concrete solutions adapted to their reality on the ground.

Three key objectives are defined by this agreement:

• Raise awareness and inform: communicate with FFB members about the support systems of the Rebound Portal and promote good entrepreneurial practices.
• Strengthening support: mobilizing the tools and networks of both organizations to offer adapted and personalized solutions to entrepreneurs facing economic or personal difficulties.
• Promoting the right to bounce back: changing the way we look at entrepreneurial failure and highlighting the successful initiatives of business leaders who have overcome major obstacles.

A collaboration serving craftsmen and building contractors

The FFB is a major player in the construction industry. It provides daily support to more than 50.000 construction companies, including 35.000 small-scale businesses, which account for two-thirds of the sector's annual production and employ two-thirds of the 1.273.000 employees working in the construction industry. It also carries out local activities for its members through departmental and regional federations as well as trade unions and syndicates, providing assistance with business management and all legal, social, technical, and/or regulatory issues.

The FFB and the Rebound Portal share a common ambition: to ensure no entrepreneur is left isolated when faced with economic, social, or personal challenges. Through this partnership, the two organizations aim to broaden the impact of their actions, particularly through awareness campaigns, webinars, and national, regional, and local events.

FFB members will be able to contact the Rebound Portal free of charge using the toll-free number (0 805 691 880) accessible 7 days a week, 7 hours a day, via the free application or the website https://portaildurebond.eu/. These entrepreneurs can be easily directed to the association or partner best suited to their situation, thanks to the Portal's chatbot. The priority is business leaders experiencing financial difficulties that could lead to the liquidation of the company, or business leaders facing physical and/or moral exhaustion. Support may take different forms depending on the nature of the questions raised and the difficulties encountered.

A launch under the sign of collective mobilization

For Philippe Fourquet, Secretary General of the Rebound Portal: "This partnership with the FFB is fully in line with the call for collective mobilization launched a few days ago by the Rebound Portal around the recommendations of the Bourbouloux report, the result of the work of the working group "Changing the perspective on failure and promoting entrepreneurial recovery." Our ties with the FFB are a fantastic opportunity to strengthen the work of the Rebound Portal with construction entrepreneurs. Together, we have a collective responsibility: to give business leaders who dare and take risks the means to overcome challenges and bounce back to continue their professional and personal lives in the best possible conditions."

For Olivier Salleron, President of the French Building Federation: “This partnership with the Rebound Portal marks an important step in our commitment to supporting tradespeople and building contractors who are going through difficult times. Given the challenges faced by many in our industry, it is essential to create opportunities that allow them to find their way back to success. The Rebound Portal offers tailored support, attentive listening, and concrete solutions to help these business leaders recover. We firmly believe that every challenge can be overcome with the right support. Together, through this partnership, we will be able to offer tradespeople and contractors the resources and support they need to overcome obstacles and rebuild their futures.”

The signing of the agreement took place at the FFB premises in the presence of Eric Jourde, General Delegate, and the FFB team, as well as members of the Rebound Portal, representing the founding associations (Re-créer, Observatoire Amarok, Second Souffle and 60.000 Rebonds). This event also strengthens the partnerships already established by the Rebound Portal with the Initiative France network, the National Credit Mediation of the Banque de France, CRÉSUS, CAIRE and, most recently, the Entreprendre Network.