The only area this is even remotely demonstrable is in the tech sector. In other areas, most entrepreneurs are in their mid to late 30's, even their 40's, and have families and obligations.
In fact, with boomers now able to leverage the equity in their homes, many of them that have always had the desire are finally able to manifest it.
It's just frustrating that something that has little evidence beyond the anecdotal is taken as gospel.
We've got to remember that being involved in tech start-ups or being in college tends means that our own experience is limited to that which we see everyday, and isn't necessarily the norm.
For example: "A 2005 CGC study of 3,000 job seekers found that 13 percent started their own businesses in the second quarter, up from 9.9 percent in the same quarter a year ago. And of that group, 86.6 percent were over 40, evidence that the next big wave of entrepreneurs may be seasoned workers, not college dropouts in Silicon Valley with a breakthrough technology concept." From here: http://www.usnews.com/usnews/biztech/articles/060403/3primet...
And Here: "According to a Vanderbilt University study the number of entrepreneurs age 45 to 64 will grow by 15 million by 2006. That"s compared to a 4 million decline for entrepreneurs age 25 to 44." From: http://www.ez2find.info/entrepreneur/Small_Business_QA_Entre...
Now, until we see statistics that suggest the failure rate is a lot lower for younger entrepreneurs, the age question has obviously been blown out of proportion based on a few opinions, valid as they may be.
But let's face it -- we're on news.ycombinator.com, where the majority of the applicants and chosen entrepreneurs seem to be college kids or people in their twenties. (with a few outliers?)
A large chunk of the general population thinks it's entrepreneurial to join up with Amway, or do a consulting biz. (which it might be, just not what we're talking about here)
>But let's face it -- we're on news.ycombinator.com, where the majority of the applicants and chosen entrepreneurs seem to be college kids or people in their twenties. (with a few outliers?)
In other words: Don't let the facts get in the way of a good opinion! :-)
I get you, and believe me I agree, but as entrepreneurs, it's always good to keep two things front and centre:
1. We live as part of a much larger world.
2. Our perceptions often lie to us.
If I'm the only one preaching that, so be it. Perhaps it helps one lucky person someday.
The only area this is even remotely demonstrable is in the tech sector. In other areas, most entrepreneurs are in their mid to late 30's, even their 40's, and have families and obligations.
In fact, with boomers now able to leverage the equity in their homes, many of them that have always had the desire are finally able to manifest it.