I'm 39 and I'm not old!
At 38, am I too old for a startup?
21–30 of 91 posts
Re: At 38, am I too old for a startup?
#22If you think you're too old, then you probably are. Age is a state of mind. Actually, at 41 myself (and 3 months into my own startup), I find that as the kids get older (7 and 11), I'm getting more time again to pursue my passions.
...and as the kids get older, they may even be interested in helping on the startup!
Actually, as Nintendo DS enthusiasts, they form part of my application test department already! ;-)
Re: At 38, am I too old for a startup?
#23This paper gives data showing that 38 is not too old: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=180204
(That submission got no votes at all, which greatly surprised me, given how often people discuss this here.)
Re: At 38, am I too old for a startup?
#24How ironic to read this question this evening. I'm 38. Right now I am finalising the documentation pack (16 documents in all!) to sell my second company. It's two-and-a-half years old. We sign the documents in 12 hours time. The company took no VC, but just a small amount of trade money. We're selling out to our largest customer because they made us an offer we couldn't refuse.
At 38 you are most certainly NOT too old to startup. At 38 your personal circumstances may mean that you cannot take the same level of risk that you could at 28 or 21. But if you are happy, healthy, and have a means of keeping a roof over your head and your dependents' head, then go for it.
The very very worst that could happen is that you could find yourself looking for a job in a few months time. But you'll be looking for that job with a bunch more experience, and credibility, than you would have without having tried to start something.
Best wishes to you. Enjoy it. And if your luck works out, you'll make a fortune. If your luck doesn't work out, you'll hold with you a great experience that you'll cherish forever.
Re: At 38, am I too old for a startup?
#25You might be. ...I don't think many people have the physical stamina much past that age. I used to work till 2:00 or 3:00 AM every night, seven days a week. I don't know if I could do that now. -How to Start a Startup
Stamina comes naturally when you are in your teens and 20s. Assuming you are in good general health, in your 30s and later it's a matter of staying in shape and eating well.
Carlos Lopes of Portugal was 37 when he won the Olympic Marathon ('84, Los Angeles). If that's not stamina, I don't know what is.
Re: At 38, am I too old for a startup?
#26How ironic to read this question this evening. I'm 38. Right now I am finalising the documentation pack (16 documents in all!) to sell my second company. It's two-and-a-half years old. We sign the documents in 12 hours time. The company took no VC, but just a small amount of trade money. We're selling out to our largest customer because they made us an offer we couldn't refuse. At 38 you are most certainly NOT too ol…
congrats! would love to here more details
Re: At 38, am I too old for a startup?
#27Someone correct me, but I think King Gillette started in his forties, inventing something people wanted: the safety razor
Re: At 38, am I too old for a startup?
#28Thanks for the enncouragement. I wonder what YC's position would be?
We've funded people older than that. In some types of startups it's the ideal age. E.g. if you want to build a factory or make enterprise software, or do something else that requires lots of capital and/or industry experience.
Or if you want to build a product instead of a feature.
Re: At 38, am I too old for a startup?
#29You're probably too old to quit your job, live in a one bedroom apartment with two other dudes, and eat Ramen for six months. But you're probably not too old to start something as a side project with your friends and see if it goes somewhere.
Re: At 38, am I too old for a startup?
#30How ironic to read this question this evening. I'm 38. Right now I am finalising the documentation pack (16 documents in all!) to sell my second company. It's two-and-a-half years old. We sign the documents in 12 hours time. The company took no VC, but just a small amount of trade money. We're selling out to our largest customer because they made us an offer we couldn't refuse. At 38 you are most certainly NOT too ol…
An inspiring story from a fellow old-timer! ;-)