The nice thing about this article is it blows some ageist assumptions out of the water. I wasn’t expecting the average founders age to be over 40 in SV.
I learned that a couple months ago and was shocked as well. It could also be a symptom of ageism in the industry: as it becomes harder for those not attracted by the corporate ladder to be hired, they start a business.
I am almost here. Similar age and in a company planing 2nd round of layoffs. I really have no delusions that somebody will want to hire me again. Universities are pumping out thousands of cheaper and better looking graduates. I never saw big corp hiring (in Germany) a graybeard like me for developer role. All the graybeards were so called consultants hired over specific agency. 40 is the magic number I guess.
On the other hand 40 is about the right time, because body and mind is still functional. The network is available and the people skills should be developed even in worst outcasts (there are exceptions). People often have some business ideas and the worthy ones are developed a bit as a hobby. Being fired is the so much needed kick to get started for real.
I am near Munich. There 2 classes in “our” floor: people working for decades in the company and the young guys who come and go. Max age for hiring lies somewhere at 35.
