The Digital Nomad Entrepreneur's Guide to Guadeloupe

Hey everyone! 🤟

I'm Seb Fourault, entrepreneur and digital nomad who made Guadeloupe my home, as well as my entrepreneurial playground.

Through this article, I want to share with you my experience and discoveries on this magnificent island, which I see as a true paradise for entrepreneurs and digital nomads from all over the world.

Guadeloupe, with its idyllic climate, rich culture, and strategic proximity to Europe and the Americas, offers an exceptional living and working environment. Here, I've found the perfect balance between work, leisure, and discovery, in a stimulating and welcoming setting.

In this guide, I'll walk you through everything you need to know to succeed as an entrepreneur or digital nomad in Guadeloupe: from the economic climate to the available grants, through incubators, coworking spaces, and of course, the cultural and social aspects that make this island unique.

My goal? To convince you that Guadeloupe isn't just a vacation destination, but a true hub for entrepreneurs and digital nomads, comparable to places like Dubai, Bali, or Thailand, with a unique French touch 🇫🇷

So, ready to dive into the Guadeloupean adventure? Follow me, and let's discover together how to make this island your next paradise office!

PS: This article is the result of my personal experience and information gathered throughout my adventures in Guadeloupe. It's obviously not an absolute truth, and I don't claim it covers every aspect. It will keep evolving as I make new discoveries, meet new people, and get your feedback. I hope you find it useful and inspiring! 😊

Guadeloupe, an Eden for Digital Entrepreneurs

Guadeloupe is much more than a postcard of beaches and palm trees. It's a dynamic ecosystem, conducive to innovation and entrepreneurship. Let me explain why this island is a top choice for digital entrepreneurs.

Climate and Environment

Imagine working with a view over the Caribbean Sea, surrounded by lush nature. Guadeloupe offers a pleasant tropical climate all year round, similar to Bali or Thailand, but with one major advantage: the stability and security of a French department.

Cultural Diversity and Strategic Proximity

Here, you get a unique blend of Caribbean and European cultures. The proximity to Europe and North America is a major advantage for business, especially with direct flights from the United States that significantly cut down travel time.

An Innovation Hub

Guadeloupe isn't lagging behind when it comes to technology and innovation. With local initiatives and support from the French government, the island is positioning itself as a fast-growing tech hub.

In short, Guadeloupe offers an exceptional living environment combined with a stimulating business climate. It's fertile ground for digital entrepreneurs looking to combine quality of life with professional opportunities.

Understanding the Economic Climate in Guadeloupe

As an entrepreneur who took his first steps in Guadeloupe, I can assure you that the island's economy is as rich as its biodiversity. Here's an overview of what you need to know about the local economic climate.

A Diversified Economy

Guadeloupe isn't limited to tourism. Agriculture, renewable energy, and information technology are all booming sectors. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Guadeloupe Islands (CCI IG), among others, offers support to entrepreneurs.

I even had the pleasure of attending the first conference on artificial intelligence in 2023!

The Government Support

As a French department, Guadeloupe benefits from grants and support from the French state, particularly for new businesses and innovative projects. This includes financial aid such as that offered by BPI France, business creation advice, and professional training.

A Dynamic Market on an Advantageous Geographic Platform

The local population is receptive to and eager for new technologies and innovations. What's more, the island's geographic position offers easy access to both American and European markets.

Challenges to Overcome

Like any region, Guadeloupe has its challenges, particularly around logistics and infrastructure (water, ecology, energy, transport, access to healthcare...). However, these challenges also represent opportunities for resourceful entrepreneurs.

In summary, Guadeloupe offers a dynamic and diversified economic environment, with significant support for entrepreneurs. It's fertile ground for those looking to innovate and grow in a tropical setting. To find out more: the CCI website.

Settling in Guadeloupe: Practical Aspects

Settling in Guadeloupe as an entrepreneur or digital nomad requires good preparation. Here are some practical tips based on my personal experience and information gathered along the way.

Administrative Formalities

As a French department, Guadeloupe follows the same administrative rules as mainland France. For EU citizens, settling in is relatively straightforward, particularly for healthcare professionals. For others, a visa may be required. It's important to check with the nearest French embassy or consulate to find out the specific procedures.

Finding Accommodation

Finding accommodation in Guadeloupe can be a challenge, especially during high tourist season. Villa rentals are popular among expats and digital nomads.

The best approach is to favour local agencies like ZeWelcome.com over Airbnb or Booking, since you don't pay service fees and therefore save between 15% and 20% on your rental price 👌

The areas of Gosier, Sainte-Anne, and Saint-François are highly sought after for their proximity to beaches and amenities. Many companies are also based in Jarry, which makes Gosier and Petit-Bourg attractive towns thanks to their proximity to the workplace.

When my girlfriend and I first arrived, we rented a villa for a month, just to explore the island and get a better sense of where we wanted to settle.

👉 And it just so happens I have a great tip for you:

Internet Connection

Connectivity is essential for digital nomads. Guadeloupe offers good internet coverage, with fibre optic options available in urban areas: Baie-Mahault, Les Abymes, Le Gosier, Le Moule, Sainte-Rose, Le Lamentin, Capesterre-Belle-Eau, Morne-à-l'Eau, Saint-Claude, Trois-Rivières, Goyave, Gourbeyre, Vieux-Fort.

In more remote areas, you'll have to make do with ADSL, but rest assured it works pretty well.

Transport

Having a car is almost essential in Guadeloupe for exploring the island and getting to business meetings. Check LeBonCoin or turn to professional services. Car rental is a practical option, with plenty of services available at the airport and in major towns.

👉 Use Rentiles to compare local rates and find the best price

Luggage and Moving

If you're planning to settle in for the long term, a viable option is to have your car shipped over from mainland France. You pack all your luggage in it and rent a container that's shipped to Guadeloupe by boat. Here's my article on what to pack for your trip!

In summary, settling in Guadeloupe takes some organisation, but once you're there, the quality of life and professional opportunities more than make up for the initial effort.

Grants and Support for Entrepreneurs

As an entrepreneur in Guadeloupe, I discovered that there are numerous grants and forms of support designed to help entrepreneurial ventures. Here are a few key schemes below.

L'Adie (Association for the Right to Economic Initiative)

Adie is an organisation that helps entrepreneurs secure funding, particularly those without access to traditional bank credit. It offers microloans and personalised support for business founders. For more information, check out their website: Adie.

Emploi Tremplin Grants

This scheme aims to encourage hiring in Guadeloupe by offering financial support to companies that recruit: around €13,000 over 3 years for hiring specific profiles. It's a great opportunity for entrepreneurs to grow their team while benefiting from financial support. Allow 6 months to a year to obtain it.

The LOEDOM Scheme

The Law for the Economic Development of Overseas Territories (LOEDOM) offers tax advantages to encourage investment in overseas departments. This includes corporate tax reductions and investment incentives. For example, it encouraged us to hire our first employee at ZeWelcome, because it considerably reduces social security contributions — so instead of paying a salary twice over (once to the employee, once to the state in contributions), you're looking at more of a 1.4x ratio.

Chèque TIC (ICT Voucher)

The Information and Communication Technology Voucher (Chèque TIC) is designed to encourage small and medium-sized businesses to adopt new technologies. This scheme can cover part of the cost of acquiring digital solutions. It's ideal if you're a freelancer helping businesses go digital: your clients can get €10,000 in support to fund 80% of the project cost, paid directly to you. The only downside is how slow the process is: allow around 2 years to get it approved (documents frequently get lost, and you'll need to follow up regularly to keep your file moving).

L'ARICE

This can also be worth looking into if you need to invest heavily in equipment (production tools, fixtures, business assets...). My advice: get help from a specialised firm that knows the people in charge of this scheme within the administration, as well as the tricks for filling in the paperwork correctly — which saves precious time.

French State Support

As a French department, Guadeloupe benefits from the same support schemes as mainland France. This includes measures such as the Research Tax Credit (CIR), the Innovation Tax Credit (CII), and specific support for young innovative companies (JEI).

European Programmes

As an EU outermost region, Guadeloupe has access to European funds such as the ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) and the EAFRD (European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development). These funds can be used to finance local development, innovation, or infrastructure projects.

This support is essential for entrepreneurs looking to launch or grow their business in Guadeloupe. It offers a significant financial boost to help overcome initial challenges and accelerate growth.

Networks and Communities for Entrepreneurs in Guadeloupe

Guadeloupe offers a dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem, but with one particularity: many entrepreneur circles operate privately 😬, which can be a challenge for newcomers. Here are a few concrete ways to get into these networks:

The Private WhatsApp Groups

Groups like "Entrepreneurs Solidaires", started by Julien Amodeo of Tech in Caraibes, or "Les amis du Spot" created by entrepreneur Jordan Succar are examples of these private circles. It's essential to actively request to join these groups, often via LinkedIn or other professional contacts.

GuadeloupeTech

This association regularly organises networking events and meetups focused on digital technology and entrepreneurship. It's a great way to meet other professionals and stay up to date on the latest trends.

Incubators

Le Village by CA Guadeloupe and ZeBox Caraïbes, CMA-CGM's incubator, are key incubators offering valuable support to startups. More specialised incubators such as Les Premières (women's entrepreneurship) and Le Phare (social enterprise) may also be of interest.

The ZeBox incubator in Guadeloupe

Meetups

The ZeBox community meetups are great, with talented organisers Camille Pourret and Fatoumata Issa-Alzouma who frequently host open entrepreneurship-related events at their venue. These events are golden opportunities to expand your network and get inspired by other entrepreneurs.

Coworking Spaces

In addition to ZeBox, which offers monthly packages for members of its "Friends & Family" network, other spaces such as Iresa, CoWinner, Le Fort Coworking Social Hub, and Level Up Pli Wô offer work environments suited to networking (EWAG Article).

There are also cafés perfectly suited to a day of remote work, like the excellent Café Papier, which I love, in Jarry, or the Clubhouse at the Sainte-Anne nautical base (ANASA), with an incredible sea view.

Business Clubs

There are several Business Clubs focused on networking, collaboration, and cross-business opportunities. For example "Tous Entrepreneurs Guadeloupe" which has a LinkedIn page, a WhatsApp group of local entrepreneurs, and organises networking events. Or LERECA, which also organises themed events.

The Third Places

At third places such as Mouvances Caraïbes and Rézilyans you'll find unique opportunities to expand your network and immerse yourself in dynamic communities focused on sustainability and social innovation: eco-friendly initiatives, collaborations with businesses to promote social responsibility, professional reintegration, permaculture, eco-construction, and energy self-sufficiency.

Local Entrepreneur Podcasts

To truly understand the entrepreneurial spirit in Guadeloupe and discover its community, nothing beats listening to the stories and experiences of local players through podcasts. Here are a few suggestions 🎧🎙️:

• "Sauces Digitales":This podcast focuses on digital and innovation. It offers in-depth interviews with local entrepreneurs, sharing their journeys, successes, and advice.
• "On réinvente le monde": This podcast offers a fascinating look at the innovative ideas and projects shaping Guadeloupe's future. It's a source of inspiration for anyone looking to make a positive change.
• "Hors Zone": Here, you'll discover entrepreneurs who dare to go off the beaten path. It's perfect for understanding the unique challenges and opportunities of entrepreneurship on an island.

"CrazyMonkey" Events

Organised by Jordan Succar, a multi-hyphenate Guadeloupean entrepreneur with a thousand ideas a minute. A few examples of formats he regularly organises:
- The Débouya Conf, round-table discussions bringing together talented entrepreneurs for rich, high-quality conversations.
- The Debouya Sprint: Somewhere between a design-thinking workshop and hands-on training, these sessions are the ideal place to quickly build new skills (no-code, automation...).
- Co-living: A week in a luxury villa, surrounded by other local and international entrepreneurs and freelancers, mixing work with activities like surfing or yoga, plus networking.

Conferences

It's impossible not to mention the excellent TedX Pointe-à-Pitre, the annual event for a dose of inspiration and a fresh perspective on the world around us.

Industry-Specific Communities

Caraïbes Factory for example, is a unique adventure for entrepreneurs in Guadeloupe interested in industry and energy. As a pioneer of industrial tourism, it offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at local businesses, with a particular focus on the geothermal and cosmetics sectors.

Life in Guadeloupe: An Ideal Working Climate

Guadeloupe offers an exceptional living environment that combines work and pleasure. Here are some concrete examples for every aspect of life on the island:

A Tropical Climate 🌴

Imagine starting your workday with a view over the Caribbean Sea, in a mild, sunny climate all year round. I'm writing these words from my terrace in Le Gosier, with a light breeze that makes working outdoors pleasant even at midday 😊

Activities and Leisure Galore 🏄‍♂️

After a productive day, there's nothing like a hike in Guadeloupe National Park, through the rainforest and discovering hidden waterfalls. For diving enthusiasts, the waters around Pigeon Island offer spectacular dive sites, perfect for unwinding on the weekend.

A Vibrant Community

Guadeloupean culture is rich and welcoming. I've had the chance to take part in the Guadeloupe Carnival, a vibrant festival celebrating local culture with music, dance, and traditional costumes. It's a great way to immerse yourself in the community and build connections. The "Chanté Nwèl" are also a must at Christmas!

Great Accessibility

Guadeloupe is well served by direct flights from Paris, New York, and other major cities, making business travel easy. The Guadeloupe archipelago is surrounded by small islands where time stands still for a weekend getaway: Marie-Galante, Les Saintes, La Désirade.

It's also amazing to take a getaway to other Caribbean islands, such as Dominica (2h by boat), Martinique (4h by boat or 30min by plane), or catamaran cruises to Antigua-Barbuda or Saint Vincent & the Grenadines 😎

Safety and Quality of Life

Living in Guadeloupe also means benefiting from a safe environment and quality public services, with well-developed healthcare infrastructure and administrative services similar to those in mainland France (though it's best to plan ahead — time moves differently here).

In short, Guadeloupe isn't just a place for business opportunities — it's a true paradise for those looking to combine work with quality of life.

My Personal Tips on Guadeloupe's Unique Quirks

Ah, Guadeloupe! A paradise for entrepreneurs, but with its own little quirks 😅

👉 Here are my personal tips, with a touch of humour, for navigating this unique world:

1. Waze > Google Maps

Forget Google Maps for getting around. Here, Waze is king! It knows every shortcut and avoids traffic jams better than a local would.
Need to get somewhere? Ask for the exact geolocation via WhatsApp — GPS doesn't recognise most postal addresses here.

2. Check Store Opening Hours

If Google or a website tells you a shop is open, take it with a grain of salt. Online opening hours? More myth than reality. A tip: call ahead before you go.

3. WhatsApp and Insta, the New Kings

Texting, LinkedIn, Facebook Messenger? That's old news. Here, everything happens on WhatsApp or Instagram. Get ready to become a pro at voice messages.

4. The Handshake, Key to Business

In Guadeloupe, business is done face to face, with a good handshake. Forget video calls to close a deal — here, human contact is what counts.

5. Mobile Apps: Switch to Local Alternatives

No Uber, Vinted, or Amazon? No worries. It's the perfect opportunity to discover local alternatives or even launch your own business in a less saturated market.

👉 Local alternatives to well-known services:

• Deliveroo → EasyTaVie / Please
• Uber → En Woute / Coco
• Veepee → Deal des Iles / Foodiles
• Le Bonbon → Travel Art Caraibes / Kkfèt
• Blablacar → Karos / Dépozé
• Drivy → ZotCar
• SeLoger → Domimmo / LeBonCoin
• Meetup → Instagram
• Le Bon Coin → The Facebook group "Gwada Connexion"
• LinkedIn → TuFéKwa
• Too Good To Go → Glan'Market
• Google → Ask your neighbour, they probably know more than Google does 😅

6. Speak Creole

Learn the basics of Guadeloupean Creole and everyday expressions. It's cool, it shows your interest in the local culture, and it opens doors. And for those aiming to become bilingual, head over to langue-créole.fr.

My favourite expression: "Sé grenn diri ka fé sak diri" — it's the grain of rice that makes the sack of rice, which you might loosely translate as "little strokes fell great oaks".

7. Understand the Local History

Visit the Mémorial ACTe or pick up a book on the history of Guadeloupe. Understanding the colonial and slavery-era past is essential to make sense of the present day and understand some of the roots of Guadeloupean society.

I'd also recommend the excellent graphic novels by Jessica Oublié "Tropiques Toxiques" and "Peyi an Nou", which explore with nuance and authenticity the Chlordecone scandal and the history of the Bumidom programme.

8. Import and Adapt Concepts

No need to reinvent the wheel. Plenty of concepts don't exist here yet. Import an idea and adapt it to local specifics. For example, a well-designed manicure booking service could be a huge hit.

9. Get in the Local Groove

Listen to the music and explore the local dances: Shatta, Dancehall, Ragga, Biguine, Zouk, Gwoka, Kreol Jazz, Bouyon... Here's a playlist to ease your way in: https://linktr.ee/zewelcome 🎵 and every Saturday, head to the pedestrian street of Pointe-à-Pitre for its Gwoka vibe!

10. A Smart Phone Plan

Get a mainland France plan with Sosh. Plenty of gigabytes to work from anywhere, and much cheaper than local phone plans.

11. Join the Gwada Connexion group

If you're looking for the beating heart of Guadeloupe's online community, look no further than the "Gwada Connexion" Facebook group.

It's a real melting pot of exchanges, information, and local tips. Imagine a place where you can find everything: classified ads, travel advice, lively debates, and even rants or job offers.

And there you have it — with these tips, you're ready to conquer Guadeloupe while having fun. Happy adventuring! 🥳

My Conclusion

In summary, Guadeloupe is far more than just a vacation destination. It's a true haven for entrepreneurs and digital nomads.

With its dynamic economic climate, entrepreneurial support, active business community, and idyllic living environment, the island offers a perfect setting for those looking to combine work and pleasure.

My journey as an entrepreneur in Guadeloupe has been an incredible adventure, full of discoveries and meaningful encounters.

I hope this article has given you a glimpse of what Guadeloupe has to offer and has inspired you to consider this magnificent island as your next professional destination 😊

👉 My LinkedIn

Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions or would like to share your experience in Guadeloupe. Together, let's keep building a dynamic and innovative community of entrepreneurs under the Caribbean sun! 🌴