When starting a business, each partner invests in the share capital, by contributing in cash or in kind. This initial investment constitutes the capital that will enable the company to make its first investments.
We give you here more explanations on this subject, broader than it seems!

Which Companies Must Have Share Capital ?

The deposit of share capital is an obligation when setting up a business. All companies must constitute a share capital, with the exception of sole proprietorships (auto-entrepreneur and micro-entrepreneur for example) which, with no share capital on their balance sheet, are exempted from this formality.

Before the registration of your company, it is mandatory to decide on the amount of the share capital. Its minimum amount may differ depending on the legal status and the country where the company will be incorporated.

In France, SARL, SAS, EURL and SASU can be created with a €1 share capital, although it is recommended to set a higher amount, if only to make the first investments or convince potential partners.

For SA (PLCs), the minimum share capital is €37,000.

For a cooperative in PLC form, it is €18,500.

For a Luxembourg-based SOPARFI, the deposit must be €12,500… You can see that nothing is the same !

The amount of share capital will be entered in the Articles of Association and will appear on the Companies House registration. The deposit of share capital must therefore be made before the signing of the articles of association.

Prior to incorporation, at least 20% of the capital must be gathered for the SARL, EURL and at least 50% for the SA, SAS, SASU.

Once share capital constituted, it will have to be deposited either at a bank or in an authorized institution.

Where to Deposit?

The capital deposit can be made with several institutions. Let's see what solutions are available.

• With a Notary

Filing with a notary is a paying process. However, you may favor it because a notary specializing in business law can provide you with valuable advice on legal matters, on statutes and their drafting or for the constitution of the file to create your company.

• With a Bank or Payment Institution

The share capital deposit can also be made with a traditional bank or a neobank. Some of these on-line payment service providers (PSP) offer an online capital deposit service at a low cost and in a short time. Appreciated by business creators, these online PSPs offer services that meet the expectations of professionals, particularly for opening professional accounts or depositing capital online.

Please note that the deposit of share capital with the French Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations (CDC) is no longer possible since June 1, 2021.

What advantages of online capital deposit ?

Depositing your company's share capital via an online platform has a lot of advantages:

• A Simple Procedure

Compared to the services offered by notaries or traditional banks, the online capital deposit is a simplified procedure. No bank check to ask for, no complex form to fill in… No more restrictive formalities!

• A Quick Management

The processing of your company's capital deposit into an online pro account is rather fast.

Indeed, all supporting documents can be transmitted by download or email. The certificate of deposit can be provided between 48 and 72 hours after such communication, depending on the online payment establishments.

How to Make a Share Capital Deposit Online ?

Whether a craftsman, an e-merchant, the creator of an SARL, EURL, SAS, SCI… and whether you need to have a pro account or make an online capital deposit, the steps to follow are the same:

• Choose a PSP or a neobank that meets your needs and expectations;
• Complete the pro account offer online and receive the IBAN of your company being created;
• Pay your company's share capital online by bank transfer or credit card;
• Receive the capital deposit certificate online within 48 to 72 working hours, once the funds and the draft articles of association have been sent;
• Upon receipt of the certificate of deposit and if your file is complete, you can finalize your company‘s registration at the Register of Commerce and Companies (Companies House in France) to obtain your K-Bis (Companies House Registration). The filing of the complete registration file with the RCS (Register of Commerce and Companies) can be done either by going to the local Business Formalities Center or by filing the documents on the infogreffe.fr website;
• Your capital deposit will then be paid into your company's professional account, once it is registered.

Which bank or payment institution should I choose when setting up a business?

As an entrepreneur, you must choose either a traditional bank or a PSP in order to have a business account as soon as you set up your business. By depositing the capital with a payment institution or a neobank, you can benefit from offers including online capital deposit, the opening of a professional bank account as well as different payment methods that match your needs (bank cards, electronic payment terminals, etc.).

With the Olky Pro account, you can make your capital deposit online at any time. Indeed, the steps can be carried out on this site 24/7. They are simple, fast and economical. You receive your capital deposit certificate online within 48 hours after receipt of funds.