New partnership for entrepreneurs

The Marseille AGS Center and 60,000 Rebonds Sud have signed an agreement to better guide entrepreneurs and strengthen their support, from company difficulties to post-liquidation. The agreement includes webinars and the mutualization of events and workshops in the region between the two actors. The partnership was announced on October 8 within the framework of the 26th edition of the UPE 13 Forum at the CEPAC Velodrome.

Job losses increase in PACA

According to the AGS (Association for the management of the guarantee regime for employee claims), in PACA, since the beginning of 2026, 8,226 jobs are threatened, which is 8% more than in 2025. The AGS intervenes to guarantee the amounts due to employees when a company is in difficulty. Michel Deirmendjian, head of the Marseille AGS Center, noted that some managers wait until the situation becomes irreversible due to denial, lack of information, or fear of failure.

Support after company closure

60,000 Rebonds Sud currently supports 150 managers after the closure of their company. The association announced a rebound rate above 80% in PACA, with more than half of its beneficiaries returning to entrepreneurship. Vincent Defossez, co-president of 60,000 Rebonds Sud, said that entrepreneurs often approach the two structures too late, as they may be in a state of denial and have difficulty seeing early signals. The main challenge is to avoid the closure of the company marking the end of the professional journey of the manager.

AGS assistance in company crises

The Marseille AGS Center can intervene within the framework of safeguarding, restructuring, and judicial liquidation procedures. It can also guide managers in advance toward the right contacts, such as the commercial court or the Order of Chartered Accountants. The Marseille branch of the AGS has supported nearly 1,300 companies up to June 2026, a decrease of 1% compared to the previous year. However, Michel Deirmendjian stated that "economic activity has deteriorated significantly over two and a half years."

Economic challenges across sectors

The difficulties affect companies of various sizes and sectors, in a region where the economic fabric largely relies on SMEs and small businesses. Services, hospitality and catering, and construction are among the most affected activities. Industry and commerce are also affected. As an example, Michel Deirmendjian mentioned the case of Alinéa, a furniture retailer based in Aubagne, which was placed in judicial liquidation by the Marseille Economic Activities Court on March 31. The decision resulted in the elimination of 1,200 jobs, 249 at the Aubagne headquarters.