Age and Startups - Age Doesn’t Matter May 1, 2008
Posted by John Furrier in Technology.trackback
Age and startups? It takes guts to do a startup. It’s easy to hide behind a firewall and lob comments from a big company. It takes a unique individual to do a startup. I think that it’s easier for younger but older entrepreneurs are not disadvantaged. I haven’t run into many entrepreneurs that have 4 kids.
Key to startups is focus and balance. Focus on the strategic plan not on what people are saying..
Always be shipping, always be closing, always be recruiting.
I’ve got 3 girls (6 years old, 3 years old, and 4 months old).
I also have an 18 month old VC funded start up.
How true, anyone can have a startup, there are no age barriers. This reminds me of a post I wrote about Twitter and how age doesn’t matter, http://www.thattalldude.com/main/2008/04/on-twitter-age.html
With desire, a lot of hard work, and like minded people, you can make anything successful.
The perception about younger entrepreneurs might be attributed the higher risks they typically take. Because of this, there aren’t likely to be as many people taking the plunge unless the idea is REALLY good.
I’ve recently gone all-in on my first startup. I’ve got two small kids at home. If anything, older entrepreneurs need to believe in what they’re doing even more than younger ones because there’s typically more at stake. If you don’t believe passionately in your idea, what is the likelihood you’re going to risk the mortgage and the new shoes on a bad or even mediocre idea? I’ve got more experience, more contacts, and a much better idea than I ever had when I was in my 20s.
I just can’t move back in with Mom if it doesn’t work out.
Age is very valuable in this day where experience matters.. Fred Wilson should pose the same question about venture capitalists.
How come some VCs are doing better in this environment? Is age and issue for VCs? Or is it still about being relevant and adding value…