Your cutting edge tech has worn off. The side projects are a form of self study - once they stopped, your abilities stopped increasing/diversifying. In athletic

Your cutting edge tech has worn off. The side projects are a form of self study - once they stopped, your abilities stopped increasing/diversifying. In athletic terms = couch potato. As ironmagma suggested - a startup might help, but they might screen you out for the reasons you cite. The choice is re-invent yourself or manage others from your tech base - there is demand for managers who can not be snowed.