Lighthouse Innovations Ltd’s Post

I was having a chat with my colleagues the other day about our portfolio (we've got a pretty diverse founder group - it's something we actively monitor and are proud of) and general founder dermographics across VC backed companies. One big discussion point that came about - entirely organically with 'tech bros' as an inspiration - was regarding the age of founders across our portfolio (again, we have a great mix) and more generally across lifesciences/healthcare and tech and whether there was a difference in how well they were performing and their success. So.....me being me....I thought i'd do a bit of reading. As an FYI, this topic came up several year ago pre-COVID (I recall a Wharton report as particularly stand-out-ish) and from memory, the general consensus was that 35 - 45 year olds tended to 'perform' better as entrepreneurs. Has it changed over recent times, especially given the COVID driven digital switch? Here's a snippet of what I found (there are unsurprisingly quite a lot of articles...): 👉 A comprehensive study from FounderJar found that a 40-year-old founder is 2.1 times more likely to succeed than a 25-year-old, with the average age of successful founders at 41.5 years. Even more impressive, the average age of those who exit with an IPO or acquisition is 46.5. You can check out the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eGc_3MRB 👉 Business Initiative reports that 50-year-old entrepreneurs are nearly twice as likely to succeed compared to 30-year-olds, apparently due to their experience, financial stability, and developed networks. More on this here: https://lnkd.in/eGawmZmi 👉 And finally, The article from The Conversation challenges the common belief that young people are the most radical innovators, revealing that individuals over 50 are often the more transformative entrepreneurs. The research highlighted in the article indicates that older entrepreneurs possess greater experience, industry knowledge, and networks, which allow them to take a more innovative approach to problem-solving. Link: https://lnkd.in/erjpWRWD Thoughts welcome... #Entrepreneurship #StartupSuccess #ExperienceMatters #AgeIsJustANumber #EarlyStageInvesting

Do you know why young founders fail in 🇱🇻, 🇱🇹 and 🇪🇪? Following my Baltic failure analysis, the chart below presents the top reasons for failure in the Baltic startup, ranked by age groups: 18 to 24, 25 to 34, and 35 to 44. Founders’ personal commitment issues and loss of focus signal that they commit more to startups as they age. Likewise, passion and commitment problems tend to decrease with time. Finding value propositions for younger and older founders is difficult, while middle-aged founders need help with the least. Similar dynamics are seen for running out of cash, as most 25-34 year-old founders fail because of it. Burnout due to financial stress and establishing a successful business strategy are common challenges for entrepreneurs of any age. Every entrepreneur needs support for these hurdles throughout their journey. An interesting phenomenon is that older founders struggle more with customer discovery. Is it because it’s harder to relate to your customers? Or do they think they are satisfied with their knowledge and skip customer discovery? Not having the right team is a significant problem for every age group, but it also steadily decreases with age and expertise. Attracting investor interest is the most challenging task for the 25-34 age group since the younger group still needs to figure out their startup before reaching an attractive investment stage. Likewise, the older group already has secured personal capital for startup development, and their experience makes the raising process way more accessible. Overall: ▶️ 18-24 fail because of Loss of Focus, Passion, and Commitment (80%) ▶️ 25-34 fail because of No Financing or Investor Interest (78%) ▶️ 35-44 fail because of No Financing or Investor Interest (64%) Do you agree? Stay tuned for more insights 🏄♂️

🚀 Startup success isn’t tied to age—it’s tied to experience and timing. According to this article, the average age of successful founders might surprise you—it’s not in their early 20s! Instead, it highlights how expertise, resilience, and strategic thinking often come later in life, paving the way for impactful entrepreneurship. key points : ▪️Experience Matters: Older founders often bring more industry knowledge, managerial experience, and professional networks, which are critical for building a successful business. ▪️Diverse Advantages: Age and experience equip founders with better problem-solving skills, financial stability, and the ability to assess risks effectively. ▪️Not Just Tech Startups: While younger founders are often associated with tech startups, this trend highlights the broader entrepreneurial landscape where experience plays a significant role. ▪️Broader Perspective: The study reveals that life experience and deep expertise often outweigh the perceived advantage of youthful energy and fresh ideas. As I begin my journey of starting my own architecture firm, this insight is both encouraging and empowering. It’s a reminder that the right time to start is when your knowledge and vision align. Do you believe age plays a significant role in entrepreneurial success? I’d love to hear your thoughts! Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/dF-76aaD #Entrepreneurship #StartupJourney #Architecture #BusinessSuccess #ExperienceMatters #StartupSuccess

#startups | #entrepreneurship : new-age entrepreneurs must find the customer demand before creating supply. In modern entrepreneurship, this saying has reversed: “Demand creates its supply.” https://lnkd.in/gXEW8-dJ

In this series of posts, we will explore the key factors that investors consider when evaluating early-stage startups. Let's move on to the second crucial element: Competition: Understanding the competitive landscape is essential to convince investors that your startup has a promising future. Here are some specific aspects that investors closely examine: - Presence of competitors: Is there someone else doing what you do? Identifying who your competitors are is the first step in analyzing the competition. - Performance of competitors: How have your competitors performed in the market? Investors want to see concrete data on performance to understand if there is room for a new entrant in the market. - Originality: Are you a carbon copy in another market, or are you doing something different? If your business model is similar to others, you need to highlight how you stand out. - Risk of being outcompeted: If you are a carbon copy, what are the chances that a well-established competitor could overtake you instantly? It's crucial to demonstrate that even in the presence of strong competitors, your startup has a unique competitive advantage. Disclaimer: All investors are different and may not necessarily consider the points as we have outlined. Stay tuned for the next post in this series, where we will discuss more critical aspects that can make or break your startup's appeal to investors.

Why do we keep buying into the myth that successful startups are the domain of fresh-faced twenty-somethings? The data tells a different story. Recent insights reveal that the median age of founders behind billion-dollar startups is actually 34. This challenges the stereotype and highlights a crucial and often overlooked truth: age brings experience and wisdom, both indispensable in navigating the challenging landscape of building a successful venture. Diving deeper, many of these founders aren't fresh off the college treadmill; they bring with them an average of over a decade of work experience. It turns out that many billion-dollar startups stem from founders who have previously been through the entrepreneurial wringer. This trend reveals that seasoned leaders are significantly more likely to launch successful companies. The narrative we need to embrace is that prior failures and challenges are often the proving grounds for the next big success. If you're keen on mastering the art of starting a business, you might want to rethink your timeline. Whether you're just starting out or considering your next move, remember that your age doesn’t equate to your capability. What do you think? Is experience the key that unlocks entrepreneurial success? https://lnkd.in/eDYp9bus

Why Startups Need Special Care to Compete in the Market Startups are like young plants that need nurturing to grow strong and thrive. In the fast-paced business world, these new businesses often face tough competition. To stand out and succeed, startups need a strong foundation and careful guidance. Building Stability in the Early Stages One of the biggest challenges for startups is building stability. With limited resources and a small team, it's essential for startups to stay focused on their goals. Proper planning and efficient management can help create a solid base, making the business less vulnerable to market risks. Understanding Market Needs To survive and compete, startups need to understand what the market truly wants. This requires research, flexibility, and an ability to adapt quickly to changes. By listening to customer feedback and studying competitors, startups can adjust their strategies to stay relevant. Using Resources Wisely Startups often operate on a tight budget, so every resource counts. Allocating funds carefully and hiring skilled people who believe in the company’s vision can help maximize growth. Wise use of resources also prepares startups for challenges they might face in the future.. Creating a Strong Brand Building a recognizable brand is essential for long-term success. Startups should focus on creating a brand that reflects their values and attracts loyal customers. A strong brand not only helps with marketing but also builds trust, which is crucial in the competitive market. #StartupSuccess #MarketCompetition #BusinessGrowth #StartupCare #Entrepreneurship #BusinessStrategy #SmallBusinessTips #GrowthMindset #StartupSupport #BuildingStability

Did you know that startups with diverse teams generate 19% more revenue compared to their less diverse counterparts? That’s because different perspectives lead to creative problem-solving, smarter decision-making, and a broader appeal to customers. Our blog, The Ultimate Guide to StartUp Statistics in 2024 and Beyond dives deep into key statistics shaping the entrepreneurial world. Whether you're looking to improve your product strategy or attract investment, this data-driven guide is packed with insights to help you succeed. Discover what the numbers mean for your startup: https://lnkd.in/d6pduDHN #DiversityInBusiness #StartupStatistics #WomenInTech #Innovation #FemaleFounders #StartupGrowth2024 #Entrepreneurship #Founders

Did you know that up to 90% of startups fail within the first two years? As a seasoned #startup consultant, co-partner Kaustav Majumdar and I witnessed firsthand the struggles and mistakes that led to this staggering statistic. According to CB Insights, the top reasons startups fail include: - Lack of market need (42%) - Running out of cash (29%) - Not having the right team in place (23%) - Getting outcompeted (19%) - Poor marketing (17%) - Failure to innovate (17%) We've seen startups struggle with: - Inadequate market research - Insufficient funding - Poor team dynamics - Lack of scalable business models - Ineffective marketing strategies Want to avoid these common pitfalls? Check out the image below to learn more about the mistakes startups make and how to overcome them Take action: Book a consultation with T5 Network LLP to identify potential blind spots and create a tailored strategy for success. Drop a comment below sharing your startup struggles or successes! Let's work together to beat the odds and build thriving startups! Statistics Source: CB Insights, Startup Genome

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐃𝐨 𝐌𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐩𝐬 𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐥? 🥵 𝐀 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬, 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐞𝐬, 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐎𝐰𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 Starting a venture is a dream for many, but statistics show that a majority of startups fail within their first few years. Here are some key reasons why this happens, and how you can avoid these pitfalls: 𝑳𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝒐𝒇 𝑴𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒆𝒕 𝑵𝒆𝒆𝒅: The most common reason startups fail is building something nobody wants. Always validate your idea before diving in. 𝑰𝒏𝒔𝒖𝒇𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑭𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒔: Running out of money is a harsh reality. Plan finances meticulously and keep an eye on cash flow. 𝑾𝒆𝒂𝒌 𝑩𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝑴𝒐𝒅𝒆𝒍: Without a solid plan to generate revenue, even great ideas struggle to survive. 𝑻𝒆𝒂𝒎 𝑰𝒔𝒔𝒖𝒆𝒔: A great idea requires a great team. Misaligned goals or lack of expertise can derail progress. 𝑭𝒂𝒊𝒍𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝑨𝒅𝒂𝒑𝒕: Markets change rapidly. Startups that don’t pivot or adapt often fall behind. 𝑰𝒈𝒏𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑪𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒔: Feedback is gold. Neglecting customer insights can lead to solutions that miss the mark. 𝑩𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒐𝒖𝒕: Overworking without proper strategy leads to fatigue, reducing creativity and efficiency. 𝑷𝒐𝒐𝒓 𝑴𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: Even the best products need visibility. A weak marketing strategy can limit growth. 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞: Whether you're a student dreaming of innovation, an employee considering entrepreneurship, or a founder navigating challenges, learning from these common mistakes can make all the difference. 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒚 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒕, 𝒌𝒆𝒆𝒑 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓: 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒇𝒂𝒊𝒍𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒂 𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒑𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒖𝒄𝒄𝒆𝒔𝒔. What are your thoughts on overcoming startup challenges? Share in the comments! #Startups #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #Innovation #Students #BusinessOwners #LearnAndGrow #Founder #Engineering #LinkedinCommunity #SharkTank #StartupIndia