Boomers Lead and Drive the New Wave of Entrepreneurs

The buzz from startup executives, especially high-tech ones, has long been that startups are no place for Baby-Boomers (1946-1964) – you must have the high energy and crazy determination to work 20-hour days to succeed. Only the under-35 age group need apply.

I will argue that times have changed, and you better take another look. First of all, the Boomer demographic is currently the single largest, mainstream pool of experienced talent in the market today (76 million people strong). They have worked with high technology and computers for at least 20 years, are highly educated, and highly motivated. Last year about 40% of the total workforce was Boomers.

Most surprisingly, according to a report from the Kauffman Foundation http://www.kauffman.org/uploadedfiles/the-coming-entrepreneurial-boom.pdf , the highest rate of entrepreneurship in America has already shifted to the 55-64 age group, with people over 55 almost twice as likely to found successful companies than those between 20 and 34.

Martin Zwilling

Full Story: http://blog.startupprofessionals.com/2011/11/boomers-lead-and-drive-new-wave-of.html