Entrepreneurs and Age

Fred Wilson writes:

I have two meetings this week with guys in their early to mid 40s that are two of the best entrepreneurs I’ve ever worked with. Both are asking me the same thing – “what should I do next?”

There are questions of motivations, work/life balance, not needing the money, looking for a big idea, etc.

One of them asked me – do you know any 45 year old entrepreneurs?

Yes I do. But only one of the entrepreneurs in our current portfolio is older than 45. And he’ll probably be starting companies until he dies. It’s what he does.

But the facts are pretty eye opening. Nine of our eleven entrepreneurs are in their 30s. One is in his 20s, and one is in his 50s.

That says to me that prime time entrepreneurship is 30s. And its possibly getting younger as web technology meets youth culture.

Well, I will be 40 in August – and have been an entrepreneur for 15 years. Am I past my prime or does the best lie ahead? Only time will tell.

Published by

Rajesh Jain

An Entrepreneur based in Mumbai, India.