Is 30 too old to start a company?

http://valleywag.com/tech/the-question/is-30-too-old-to-start-a-company-260742.php

by Sam_Odio • 19 years ago

5 11 19 years ago

Sam - it clearly is. By the looks of your blog you're 21. You better get started!

ced2• 19 years ago

One factor is that anyone who has the mojo to start a company at all will probably do it sooner in life than later. And few people will start more than one succesful company.

Arguably, the same thing happens in science. Great fundamental discoveries are most often made by brilliant scientists in their 20s.

startupper4• 19 years ago

" Arguably, the same thing happens in science. Great fundamental discoveries are most often made by brilliant scientists in their 20s."

Have you heard of Perelman? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grigori_Perelman

jey• 19 years ago

A single counter-example doesn't invalidate the whole observation.

startupper4• 19 years ago

This assertion has little to no scientific or mathematical basis.

Here's how you too can make up a sensational headline: 1) Start with an assumption 2) collect data points that prove your assertion -- leave those that don't out of the calculation.

There is no 'right' age to start a company. No age is too old.

-KFC was started by Col. Sanders when he was 50 something.

-John Warnock co-founded Adobe when he was 42.

There are many more examples, but those are only a couple off the top of my head.

EDIT: The comments in the valleywag piece contain a few more examples like Jim Clark.

mechanical_fish• 19 years ago

Let me guess: most failed startups are also run by 20 and 30 year olds.

I intend to wait until I'm 87 to start my company. We all know of failed startups that were founded by 20, 30, or 40-somethings, but you almost never see a failed startup with an 80-year-old founder. I'm sure that means something.

startupper4• 19 years ago

Why not start one when you are 10?

Seriously though, I started my first one when I was 11 -- and no, it was not a lemonade stand ;). Profitable too.

mynameishere• 19 years ago

Young or old?

Rock music: Young is better.

Classical music: Old is okay.

Software business: Young is better.

Manufacturing business: Old is okay.

Mathematics: Young is better.

Literature: Old is okay (actually, better).

Chess: Young is better. (I could probably beat Fischer by now.)

Contract bridge: Old is okay. (Don't laugh--Gates and Buffett play).

Revolutionary conflict: Young is better.

Invading Russia: Old is okay.

Tichy• 19 years ago

Just shoot yourself on your 30th birthday...

Is 30 too old to start a company?

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