Called Ingenuity, this is an exciting new programme targeted at mature entrepreneurs aged 55 plus who rather than retire, are seeking to put their lifetime experience, talents and wisdom to good use by starting their own business. The programme, which is sponsored by Bank of Ireland, will be delivered by Local Enterprise Offices and the DCU Ryan Academy in September 2016, starting with a bespoke Start Your Own Business Boot-camp weekend and then progressing into a full 8 week programme over October and November.
The programme is tailored to take on board the really interesting findings from research we commissioned into the advantages and barriers experienced by mature entrepreneurs. On the positive side they tend to ‘benefit from better human, social and financial capital advantages’ and where they have strong industry experience, they often tend to have more robust business ideas than their younger counterparts.
However, the greatest barriers are self-limiting assumptions about being too old. Having been barraged by stereotypical images of the young entrepreneur, the Zuckerbergs of the world, older adults have wrongly intuited that this isn’t for them. Contrary to this stereotyping, while the age range in which most people set up businesses in Europe is between 25-44, the mean age is 39. Charles Flint was 61 when he set up tech giant IBM, and Ferdinand Porsche was 56 when he set about dominating the world of luxury automobiles.
If you think you might be interested, come along to one of the two public seminars running on:
- Tues 17th May – 6-8.30pm in the Savoy Hotel in Limerick
- Thur – 19th May – 6-8.30 in House of Lords, Bank of Ireland, College Green Dublin
They will provide more information about how to become involved and expand upon the findings of our research, give participants the opportunity to test early business ideas and learn from other successful mature entrepreneurs. They can register to attend on www.isax.ie or email miriam@isax.ie.
Download the brochure HERE.