Age is just a number. Right?
Well, the jury’s out, your mom’s not convinced and the confusing pop culture references are just becoming too difficult to ignore.
Does it really not matter at all that John from accounting already had three grandchildren by the time founder, Kyle, started high school? Do we take it as a bonus that the youth know their way around most technological devices, are AI native and have probably vibe coded at least one app by the age of 21? Or, perhaps we should be placing more value on the professional experience and personal maturity of somebody who’s “been around the block” a time or two.
The issue of age – that is, is it better to invest in younger founders or older founders – is nothing new, and it’s fairly contentious, no matter who you ask.
But what I’m most interested in is what investors think. Sure, everybody has an opinion on who would make a good founder based on creativity, business prowess, technical knowledge and so on, but what about what kind of founding team appears, at least on the surface, to be the best investment bet (so to speak)?
Age Before Beauty
One side of the argument is that with age, comes experience – not only in business and entrepreneurship, but in general life too. There are plenty of ways in which this provides slightly older founders with an advantage over younger founders who are perhaps going through the wringer for the first time.
When it comes to experience in business and startups, it’s most likely that more senior entrepreneurs have been through some tough times before. Although that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’ve mastered how to solve any and every possible issue that may arise, it definitely does help when it comes to having a little bit of an edge with regard what may have worked and not worked in the past.
Of course, the mere experience of going through trials and tribulations in a startup – whether or not things end well – can be incredibly character-building in itself.
But, having said that, not everybody who goes through these things learns from them, and for some people, experience can end up contributing to negative attributes, such as building poor or unhealthy habits, and sometimes, just being stuck in one’s ways.
Youth Over Wisdom
Of course, there’s another side to the argument.
The startup world has long had a fascination with young founders. Perhaps that’s because many of the biggest success stories in modern tech were built by people in their twenties. There’s a perception that younger entrepreneurs are more willing to take risks, move faster and challenge established ways of doing things. They’re often closer to emerging consumer trends, more comfortable with new technologies and, increasingly, are among the first truly AI-native generations entering the startup ecosystem.
That doesn’t mean youth is automatically an advantage, though. While younger founders may bring energy, ambition and fresh perspectives, they may also be building companies while navigating challenges they’ve never encountered before. Managing people, handling difficult customers, raising capital, dealing with setbacks and making high-pressure decisions are all skills that often develop over time.
As Kevin Gaskell, former Managing Director of Porsche, Lamborghini and BMW and startup expert, puts it: “Youth can bring energy, ambition and fresh thinking, which are all valuable. But investors are not really backing age. They are backing judgement, leadership, resilience and the ability to execute.”
Ultimately, being young doesn’t guarantee innovation any more than being older guarantees wisdom. Some young founders have already built and sold businesses before turning 30, while some older founders are launching their first venture after decades in another industry. Age may influence the journey, but it rarely tells the full story.
Case By Case
Perhaps that’s why so many investors seem reluctant to draw hard lines around age, and to be honest, I’m quite pleased to hear that.
It’s easy to fall into stereotypes. Younger founders are often portrayed as creative disruptors who move quickly but lack experience. Older founders are frequently seen as steady hands with valuable expertise, but potentially less willing to challenge the status quo. In reality, neither description is universally true.
Some of the most innovative founders have decades of industry experience behind them. Equally, some of the most successful startup founders have achieved remarkable things at a surprisingly young age. The qualities investors consistently talk about are not age-related at all. They tend to be things like resilience, adaptability, leadership, coachability and the ability to execute.
Annick Verween, Head of Biotope by VIB, believes diversity of perspective is far more important than a founder’s date of birth. As she explains: “We’ve seen exceptional founders in their twenties, thirties, forties and even sixties and we have found that the diversity of thought and journeys through life that can come from a team with a mix of ages ultimately leads to stronger teams, better decisions and more resilient companies.”
That sentiment is echoed by Lucius Cary, Founder of Oxford Technology, who says: “We have been investing in science startups since 1983, and we have only one rule, which is not to have any rules. We take each case on its merits.”
And perhaps that’s the real answer. Investors aren’t writing cheques to birth certificates; they’re investing in people. Sometimes the right founder is 22 years old and sees an opportunity nobody else has spotted. Sometimes they’re 52 and have spent decades developing the expertise, network and judgement needed to build something exceptional.
There’s no doubt that age can shape a founder’s strengths and weaknesses, but it even so, it shouldn’t define them.
Indeed, the best investors seem to recognise that. Rather than looking for a particular age bracket, they’re looking for the person most capable of building a successful business.
So, is age just a number?
No, not entirely, and yes, I am aware that that’s a pretty unsatisfying answer – sorry not sorry . Age undoubtedly influences experience, perspective, risk appetite and leadership style, but if the views of investors are anything to go by, it’s rarely the deciding factor. What matters far more is whether a founder can learn, adapt, execute and build something that people actually want.
The Experts Weigh In
- Annick Verween: Head of Biotope by VIB (Belgium)
- Kevin Gaskell: Former Managing Director of Porsche, Lamborghini and BMW and Startup Expert
- Andrea Mica: Director, Oxford Technology
- Max Fellows: CEO and Founder of allpoints
- Lucius Cary: Founder of Oxford Technology
- Iain Wright: Partner at Claritas Tax
- Tim Harrison: Founder, Unity Property Investment
- Sophie Milliken: Founder and CEO of Moja, Angel Investor
Annick Verween, Head of Biotope by VIB (Belgium)
“At biotope, we’ve found that diversity of all kinds, including age, brings a diversity of perspectives to a startup. A strong startup ecosystem is built by founders with different journeys through life, and diversity across generational backgrounds can be just as advantageous as diversity in backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. What matters is leadership, relevant experience, coachability, resilience, operational excellence and the motivation to build something meaningful.
“Different founders bring different strengths; some benefit from fresh perspectives and bold ambition, while others draw on years of industry expertise, leadership experience and hard-earned lessons. Those qualities aren’t tied to a particular stage of life. We’ve seen exceptional founders in their twenties, thirties, forties and even sixties and we have found that the diversity of thought and journeys through life that can come from a team with a mix of ages ultimately leads to stronger teams, better decisions and more resilient companies.”
Kevin Gaskell, former Managing Director of Porsche, Lamborghini and BMW and Startup Expert
“I have been building companies for 30 years and I believe I am better at it now than I have ever been. That is not because I have become more cautious. It is because experience gives you pattern recognition. You have seen challenges before. You understand markets, people, cash, timing and risk in a much more practical way.
“Youth can bring energy, ambition and fresh thinking, which are all valuable. But investors are not really backing age. They are backing judgement, leadership, resilience and the ability to execute. As I have gained experience, I have learned to trust my intuition much more. Not guesswork, but informed instinct built from years of success, mistakes and hard lessons. Good investors respect that. They value business experience when it is combined with pragmatic realism, market knowledge, curiosity and the energy to keep moving forward.
“Age is not the issue. The question is whether the founder can build, lead and win.”
Andrea Mica, Director, Oxford Technology
“ We are looking for evidence of ability to deliver success. For us that is usually in the form of a scientific advantage over the rest of the world, or the chance to obtain that. Also, the willingness to learn from the specific opportunity they are working on. If that comes with boundless energy or the ability to sell or communicate, to bring people along with them or to deal with very hard problems, that’s great. It’s rare that there is compelling evidence of all of these, and there is never hard evidence that all those things will be there in the future as circumstances change.
“The companies we invest in have necessarily been founded by people who have spotted an opportunity missed by many others; sometimes it’s fresh eyes, sometimes it’s experienced eyes and other times it has been eyes that just happened to be open when the opportunity came along.”
Max Fellows, CEO and Founder of allpoints
“Investors don’t fund birthdays – they fund credibility, and that often depends on the sector. In fast moving industries like tech, younger founders can absolutely attract backing, especially if they’ve already built, raised and exited businesses before. A founder in their twenties who has successfully scaled and sold two companies will be viewed very differently from a first-time founder with only ambition.
“In more traditional sectors, though, for example, professional services, age and track record can carry more weight. Experience often provides a safety net, giving investors greater confidence in a founder’s judgement, network and ability to execute.
“Ultimately, age is rarely the deciding factor. Investors are looking for proof – whether that’s lived experience, sector expertise, or a track record of delivery.”
Nevsah Karamehmet: Investor, Founder and CEO of Nevsah Institute, Nev Cap, Breath Hub and Vellum Zone
“As an investor, board member, the Founder and CEO of multiple companies, Nevsah Institute, Nev Cap, Breath Hub and Vellum Zone and a human behaviour expert who has spent more than two decades studying what creates extraordinary performance, I can clearly say that as investors, we are not investing in age. As early-stage investors, we usually invest in the founder’s level of self-consciousness, dedication and discipline.
“A founder’s greatest asset is not intelligence, experience, or even a brilliant idea. It is self-awareness. Can you recognise your own blind spots? Can you receive feedback without your ego becoming defensive? Can you regulate your emotions when everything seems to be falling apart? Can you adapt faster than your competitors? These are the qualities that determine whether a company survives long enough to become exceptional.
“At Nev Cap, we invest in founders who demonstrate mastery over themselves before they seek mastery over the market. Markets change. Technologies evolve. Business models become obsolete. But founders who continuously evolve their thinking, challenge their own assumptions, and remain deeply coachable have the highest probability of creating extraordinary companies.
“Youth often brings courage, speed, curiosity, and the willingness to question everything. Experience brings pattern recognition, resilience, emotional stability, and the wisdom to make better decisions under pressure. Neither is inherently superior. The founders who consistently outperform are the ones who integrate both qualities, regardless of their biological age.
“Ultimately, age is simply a number. Consciousness, adaptability, integrity, resilience, and the capacity for continuous self-mastery are what build enduring businesses. Investors may write the cheque into a company, but they are always betting on the evolution of the human being leading it.”
Lucius Cary, Founder of Oxford Technology
“We have been investing in science start-ups since 1983, and we have only one rule, which is not to have any rules. We take each case on its merits. The age of the founder matters much less than his/her personal qualities.
“Historically, we have invested in a founder who was 18 and in some closer to 60. Young founders have lots of energy and learn fast. Older founders have more experience and know more people.”
Iain Wright, Partner at Claritas Tax
“Claritas Tax works with entrepreneurs’ day in, day out, so we see clearly what drives success and what investors really back. Age plays a role, but not in isolation. I started Claritas aged 40; in truth, I needed the experience, credibility and network to make it work because it is a business based on relationships and knowledge. However, the majority of the most valuable tech businesses have been founded by people much younger than that (even if they’ve brought in experienced business leaders for support).
“If you’re an investor chasing steady returns, backing a founder with deep sector experience is typically lower risk but also lower upside. VC investors take a different view: they’re often drawn to bold ideas and ambition, accepting a higher chance of failure for the possibility of outsized returns.
“Age shapes risk appetite as much as capability. Younger founders often have more freedom to take big financial risks; older founders tend to be more measured, but better at mitigating those risks through experience and there are different investors, with different objectives for each group. As a founder, you need to determine which category you fall into and then look for the right type of investor.”
Tim Harrison, Founder at Unity Property Investment
“I don’t think there’s a universal answer because it depends entirely on the type of business you’re building. Investors don’t assess founders in isolation, they assess whether the founder is the right fit for the market they’re serving.
“In sectors like property investment, wealth management or financial services, experience can be a genuine advantage. If you’re asking someone to trust you with hundreds of thousands of pounds, credibility matters. Clients often want to know you’ve navigated different market conditions, solved real-world problems and built sound commercial judgement over time. In these industries, trust is part of the product.
“Contrast that with sectors like AI or consumer technology, where speed, innovation and challenging established thinking can be more valuable. Younger founders may be better placed to spot emerging trends and move quickly.
Ultimately, I don’t think investors are backing a birth certificate. They’re backing the founder whose experience, skills and judgement are the best fit for the business they’re building.”
Sophie Milliken, Founder and CEO of Moja, Angel Investor
“When it comes to making investments into start ups, age is relevant, and yes, there are stereotypes attached to it.
“A younger founder can be perceived as less experienced, and sometimes a bit reckless, but that recklessness can also translate into boldness, risk-taking and innovation, particularly in tech and AI, where investors do associate youth with fresh thinking. That’s a real asset.
“When I’m looking to invest in a business, I lean towards someone older. They still have access to that innovation, and can be innovators themselves, but they bring a track record too, and that counts for a lot.
“One of the founders I’ve backed is in his mid-40s, and the reason I invested was his track record in business and his sharp thinking.
“Ultimately, though, it comes down to personality. If you gel with someone and believe in them, that will always trump age.”
