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Not that this article is necessarily about entrepreneurism, but just general "ageism" in SV. I see this as an opportunity rather than a problem. Leaves a lot

Not that this article is necessarily about entrepreneurism, but just general "ageism" in SV. I see this as an opportunity rather than a problem. Leaves a lot of room for older entrepreneurs without anyone backing their idea (or anyone willing to take them in as an employee). Sure it will require ambition beyond even a typical entrepreneur, but I have a hunch that those people (the ones who could not find a place in an established company because of his/her age) will be the ones who receive pitches in SV in the not-too-distant future.

11thEarlOfMar 11y ago
Yes, I've been watching for someone to start The Graybeard Fund.
superuser2 11y ago
Then entrepreneurship culture needs to change, a lot. A 22-year-old can subsist on Ramen while living in a car. A 45-year-old can't ask his wife and children to do that. Startups staffed/founded by middle-aged people are going to have to pay drastically better wages, and investors are going to have to be okay with that.
- datashovel 11y ago
  Personally, having worked at startups my whole career, I would in a heartbeat hire a single highly qualified veteran at a market salary than 5 people fresh out of college. The trick, though, is to get a veteran who is not jaded. Someone who believes in the vision and has enough skin in the game to make them want to fight for the project.
- hugh4 11y ago
  A 45 year old who had been working in a professional capacity ought to have enough savings that he need not live off ramen if he chooses to make a minimal income for a few years.
  - superuser2 11y ago
    Well, technically, but when the startup fails he may be unable to retire or send his kids to college (or both). Risk appetites change. Someone that age should have savings, but not necessarily savings they can afford to lose.
- jpindar 11y ago
  The assumption that a 45 year old must have a wife and children, and must require a higher wage is itself ageist.
  - paulddraper 11y ago
    I don't think anyone assumes that of all 45 year olds. But the proportion of 45 year olds with dependent families versus the proportion of 22 year old with dependent families is hugely imbalanced. We might find some hugely imbalanced results from that.
datashovel 11y ago
In fact I think this whole story indirectly shows a deep flaw in the structure of markets. We all realize middle aged people tend to have families and more financial responsibilities as they get older. But it's these years IMO where a person is truly most capable to make a dent in the world. So we practically lose an entire demographic (the most capable demographic) almost when it comes to disruption. All you get are the people who have risen to the top (VCs) and the people who are just entering at the bottom (just out of school) who participate in this endeavor. Granted that's making several assumptions, but in general I think one could make a case that this is a flaw that we can't integrate this demographic into more disruptive ventures.

11thEarlOfMar 11y ago

Yes, I've been watching for someone to start The Graybeard Fund.

superuser2 11y ago

Then entrepreneurship culture needs to change, a lot. A 22-year-old can subsist on Ramen while living in a car. A 45-year-old can't ask his wife and children to do that. Startups staffed/founded by middle-aged people are going to have to pay drastically better wages, and investors are going to have to be okay with that.

datashovel 11y ago
Personally, having worked at startups my whole career, I would in a heartbeat hire a single highly qualified veteran at a market salary than 5 people fresh out of college. The trick, though, is to get a veteran who is not jaded. Someone who believes in the vision and has enough skin in the game to make them want to fight for the project.
hugh4 11y ago
A 45 year old who had been working in a professional capacity ought to have enough savings that he need not live off ramen if he chooses to make a minimal income for a few years.
- superuser2 11y ago
  Well, technically, but when the startup fails he may be unable to retire or send his kids to college (or both). Risk appetites change. Someone that age should have savings, but not necessarily savings they can afford to lose.
jpindar 11y ago
The assumption that a 45 year old must have a wife and children, and must require a higher wage is itself ageist.
- paulddraper 11y ago
  I don't think anyone assumes that of all 45 year olds. But the proportion of 45 year olds with dependent families versus the proportion of 22 year old with dependent families is hugely imbalanced. We might find some hugely imbalanced results from that.

datashovel 11y ago

In fact I think this whole story indirectly shows a deep flaw in the structure of markets. We all realize middle aged people tend to have families and more financial responsibilities as they get older. But it's these years IMO where a person is truly most capable to make a dent in the world. So we practically lose an entire demographic (the most capable demographic) almost when it comes to disruption. All you get are the people who have risen to the top (VCs) and the people who are just entering at the bottom (just out of school) who participate in this endeavor. Granted that's making several assumptions, but in general I think one could make a case that this is a flaw that we can't integrate this demographic into more disruptive ventures.