Creating a business model for a free-fall simulation complex in the South of France.

A former military parachutist, willing to twist his career path by opening a free-fall simulation complex, sought our advice on his project. The objective was to create both a training centre for professionals and an entertainment space for all. ESCP Junior Consulting operated in the early stages of his project by carrying out a six-month study. This study included questionnaires administered to both free-fall professionals (military and civilian) and the general public, a business plan and a financial forecast (P&L) which allowed the delivery of a complete market study. The latter included both a commercial synthesis (20 slides) and a technical synthesis (50 slides).

The objective of the business plan was to allow the entrepreneur to establish an optimal business model for his company and to convince banks and shareholders to invest in the project. We therefore considered four hypothetical scenarios: mini, maxi, bullish and crash in order to study the development of the complex over the next ten years (until 2032). To do so, we analysed the turnover that would be generated by different flight packages, group and private lessons, the complex's restaurant and a partnership - with the army for instance. We also asked for quotes to take into account electricity costs, management and administration costs, advertising costs etc. The mission was very demanding as we had to adapt to the lack of data. Indeed the study was preliminary to the launch of the complex so we had no measurable prior evidence of an already operating business to base our assumptions on.

The conclusions and recommendations of our consultants as well as the deliverables we handed over to our client were fundamental to the concrete launch of his project. Since then, we’ve kept in touch with him and are glad to see his project coming to life. Today, the funds have been secured and the construction work is being planned.