One of my fav studies into startups and founders! I’d love any further data on this as I’m a huge advocate of these true rough diamonds.

I had read a long time ago about a study that suggested founder who have started their first companies after 50s are more successful than the rest. I can't remember where I read it nor find that article now.

I started my first company back when I was in mid-twenties. It is far easier to start companies when you are younger than when older. The responsibilities in life make taking risks tougher with age. 25 years on I know many who are in 50+ age bracket that are willing to be on the ground floor (not necessarily always as a founders) but are cooling heels well positioned in big tech drawing big salaries. Many are financially secured and had experience building companies. However they do not have time to network with the new generation of investors and make themselves known. Many of them have known the decision makers at customers that startup needs. I feel this is an immense talent pool and resource that investors have been ignoring/missing.

Yes, the study also struggles with survivorship bias. The point I think is the older founders have just as much potential as younger ones, and the constraints you mentioned can even drive better focus

One advantage older founders have is that they have relationships build over lifetime and many of their peers are in influential position in the industry. 25+ years back I had none of that advantage. So if older founders are starting a company in the industry they know it is a big advantage.