Never have I had so many friends in France starting their ventures. The 10000 Uber drivers also often left jobs (were not unemployed) to become auto-entrepreneurs https://medium.com/@GerryB/uber-fighting-youth-unemployment-...

This numbers are completly screwed through the invention of the new auto-entrepreneur status five years ago. But this new status is not suitable for any startup. Thats nice for plombiers or other handy mans. But even those should avoid to earn more than a basic income.

You can start testing your ideas working as an auto-entrepreneur on your personal websites or mobile apps and later create a startup when you need funding.

It's great to start a consulting activity too

Well hopefuly you bill enough that you need to create an EIRL or EURL, auto-entrepreneur status is not good for a successful consulting activity, unless it's a side gig.

That's why he said "start" :)