Right Age to Startup

Most successful startups that we have heard about tend to have young entrepreneurs. Mark Zuckerberg was 19 when he began Facebook with his friends. Bill Gates was 19 when he co-founded Microsoft with Paul Allen. Steve Jobs was 21 when he began Apple with Steve Wozniak. Does that mean you have to be young to begin a successful company? Not necessarily.

Researchers took a look at companies that were established between 2007 and 2014 and studied the top 0.1% which showed fastest growth in sales and employment. The idea was to find the startups that were doing well. The research found that the average age the entrepreneurs here was 45 years. That gives you a very different take on reality as compared to your impressions, doesn’t it?

As per the scientific study the fresh faced, wunderkids who hit success on the very first try, were exceptions to the rule, rather than the norm. In most cases the founder of new startups were about 42 years of age. They had acquired experience in the industry and then set out as entrepreneurs. The firms run by these middle aged people were doing well. Their work experience and drive was what actually ensured that they were successful.