£100,000 Recovered from a French Startup by UK-Based Technology Company
May 27, 2025
When a UK-based technology company was left chasing a £100,000 unpaid invoice from a venture-backed French startup, they turned to Payfor for help. Despite offering flexible payment options and multiple chances to settle, the debtor had become evasive—prompting the company to seek expert assistance. Here’s how Payfor stepped in to resolve the matter swiftly and professionally.
A Promising Partnership Gone Cold
The client, a rapidly scaling technology company in the UK, had delivered services under a cross-border agreement involving a French startup and additional parties across Europe. The contract, governed by Belgian law, was clear on deliverables, timelines, and payment terms.
However, post-delivery, the French startup began demanding additional services and reporting not originally included in the agreement. Despite these demands, the UK company attempted to preserve the relationship—providing extras in good faith and even offering a 50% settlement plan to bring closure.
Unfortunately, the debtor failed to act on any of the proposed resolutions. Communication slowed to a halt, and a final deadline came and went without payment.
A Strategic Approach to Debt Recovery
Upon reaching out to Payfor, the client was introduced to our methodical yet firm recovery process. Giles Goodman, CEO of PayFor, explained our 30-Day Chase Campaign—a focused and time-sensitive recovery approach designed to prompt response and resolution without the need for immediate legal action.
The campaign began with a clear and direct email to the debtor outlining the outstanding amount, interest due under Belgian statute (12% p.a.), and consequences of continued non-payment. From there, the team launched daily phone calls to establish pressure, build a paper trail, and prevent the debtor from ghosting or stalling further.
Applying Legal Leverage—Without Going to Court
While the debtor had previously ignored attempts to communicate, they began to re-engage once Payfor introduced the legal standing of the contract and the potential implications of non-compliance.
To solidify the client’s position, Payfor arranged for a legal appraisal with a trusted Belgian law firm. This was facilitated via a modest £250 admin fee—allowing the client to evaluate next steps while ensuring they had “skin in the game.”
With legal escalation now a real possibility, Payfor highlighted to the debtor how enforcement could impact their reputation and disrupt investor confidence. This shift in tone and pressure was enough to bring them back to the table.
Successful Resolution: Payment Secured
After three weeks of persistent follow-up and carefully applied pressure, Payfor secured a full settlement of £100,000. Payment was made in two tranches and included additional interest for the delay.
The client was able to recover the debt without entering a court process—saving significant time, legal fees, and internal resources in the process.
Proactive Risk Management for the Future
Following the successful recovery, the client also explored PayFor’s sister service, VendSafe, which offers contract management and due diligence for SMEs trading across borders. They now use VendSafe to assess the credibility of prospective partners before entering new agreements, particularly in high-risk jurisdictions.
Why Work with Payfor?
At Payfor, we specialise in commercial and cross-border debt recovery for SMEs. Our 30-Day Chase Campaign uses a blend of psychology, legal insight, and daily debtor engagement to break down resistance and secure payment. Weekly emails, daily phone calls, and clear contractual enforcement make ignoring us virtually impossible.
Should the debtor continue to evade responsibility, we’ll help you pursue legal recovery—with the support of vetted international law firms and our team by your side every step of the way.
Whether your debtor is in France, the US, or anywhere else—PayFor can help recover what's rightfully yours.
Ready to talk? Let’s start your recovery today.
Disclaimer:
This blog post is intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. The information provided in this post is based on general principles and may not apply to specific legal situations. Laws and regulations vary by jurisdiction and can change over time. Readers are advised to seek professional legal counsel before making any decisions based on the information provided in this blog post. Payfor Ltd is not a law firm and does not provide legal services. The company disclaims any liability for actions taken based on the contents of this blog post.
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