## Study: Founders of Successful Tech Startups Are Around 45 Years Old

# Introduction

A study published by the American Economic Review: Insights delves into the age of leaders and founders of renowned and successful technology companies. The researchers examined startups founded between 2007 and 2014, focusing on the most rapidly growing ones in terms of employment and sales. The average age of these founders is 45 years old.

# Debunking the Young Founder Myth

Of course, there are well-known counterexamples. Mark Zuckerberg was 19 when he co-founded Facebook. Bill Gates was also 19 when he launched Microsoft with Paul Allen. Steve Jobs was 21 at the time of founding Apple. These origin stories have fueled the myth that the forefront of technology and innovation is dominated by prodigies. However, according to the study, young tech company founders are the exception rather than the rule.

# Research Methodology

The study, conducted by economists Pierre Azoulay from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Ben Jones from Northwestern University in Chicago, J. Daniel Kim from the University of Pennsylvania, and Javier Miranda from the U.S. Census Bureau, provides the first systematic calculation of the ages of founders of fast-growing startups in the United States.

Previous research, as reported by the NY Times, indicated that the average age of small business owners is typically around 30–40 years old. However, most small businesses remain small, such as restaurants, dry cleaners, and retail stores. While they are important, they do not play a decisive role in driving innovation in the economy.

# Key Findings

The new study focused on high-performing startups. Data from 2.7 million entrepreneurs were collected. Economists determined that the average age of founders of tech companies was 42 years. For founders of the top 0.1% fastest-growing firms, the average age was 45 years. In companies that were successful enough for an initial public offering (IPO), the same pattern emerged: their founders were generally middle-aged.

Tony Fadell, former Senior Director of the iPod development and release department at Apple, commented to the NY Times that he attempted to start a startup during college and early in his career, but they failed due to a lack of experience.

“College students know what students need,” he said. “When you get older, you start to understand other things.”

# Implications for Startup Ecosystems

This study highlights the importance of experience and maturity in founding successful tech startups. While programs like Y Combinator and 500 Startups often spotlight younger founders, the reality shows that seasoned entrepreneurs have a significant edge in creating rapidly growing companies.

For those looking to start a startup or seeking investment opportunities near me, understanding that successful founders tend to be in their mid-forties can influence decisions related to venture capital firms, angel investors, and private equity companies.

# About Co-Founder Ai

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# Conclusion

The narrative that only young visionaries lead successful tech companies is being challenged by empirical research. Founders around the age of 45 bring a wealth of experience and understanding, essential for steering startups toward rapid growth and success. As the startup ecosystem continues to evolve, recognizing the diverse backgrounds and ages of successful founders can inspire a more inclusive and realistic view of entrepreneurship.

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