Despite the popular perception of 20-something entrepreneurs, middle-aged founders are far more common and successful than many people think.
In fact, according to a study by the Kauffman Foundation, the average age of a successful entrepreneur today is 39 years old, with at least six to ten years of experience in the industry. And there are twice as many successful founders over 50 than under 25.
This should not be surprising. Innovations are hard. Corporate leadership and growth require skills and experience that most young executives do not yet possess. True, a 25-year-old founder will be more involved in the needs and wants of consumers his age, but the fact is that not every consumer today is under 30, and many entrepreneurs are already working on products for different audiences than their counterparts a few years ago.
