Age 70 to 79: The New Age of Entrepreneurship

Who says innovation has an age limit? A recent Wall Street Journal article highlighted something I got a kick out of: the highest rate of entrepreneurial activity in the U.S. is now among people aged 65-74. 

Let that sink in. The path isn't just from the garage to the IPO; it's also from the C-suite to the startup.

The article nailed the "why": decades of insight, the flexibility of a new chapter, access to bootstrap capital, and a powerful network. I'm living proof. After 50 years as an executive, I didn't retire; I repurposed my experience.

My deep immersion in building teams and culture led me directly to two ventures:

  1. Belongify: I've seen what it takes for teams to excel. This isn't theoretical; it's practical. We've launched Belongify Connect to operationalize that excellence, helping teams build genuine connection and belonging.

  1. CulturGenix: With my partner, the formidable Debbie Blakeman (a "junior" in her 60s), we're helping organizations advance their cultures. My experience leading in various industries, combined with Debbie's expertise, creates a powerful consulting force.

This isn't just a side project. I'm also in my sixth year teaching my culture class at Harvard and annually kicking off the EMBA program at the University of Alberta. For me, the 70s aren't a decade of slowing down; they're the perfect time to share insight and energy.

Did you know? Businesses started by founders in their 50s and 60s have a significantly higher success rate than those started by younger founders. (Source: U.S. Census Bureau).

Of course, experience alone doesn't guarantee success. A good idea needs a viable business model and a path to profitability. But older entrepreneurs have a secret weapon: resilience and a lower fear of failure.

Fortunately, I'm not doing this alone. The intergenerational magic is real. I have a millennial partner, Garrett, and the powerhouse that is Debbie. We co-create, challenge each other, and blend decades of wisdom with fresh perspectives at both Belongify and CulturGenix.

We believe deeply in our purpose and the products we've built. For me, this journey is a "fun road to 80," and I'm incredibly thankful for my team nudging me along the way.

Think Big, Start Small, Act Now, 

- Lorne 

P.S. Want to support a 75-year-old on his journey to his 80s (when I really get rolling 🤓)?

Garrett’s View: I know how unbelievably fortunate I am for working with a 70+ entrepreneur. People strive for guidance and mentors, sing about the wisdom of their elders; we’d all be so lucky. Age is not always just a number in every space, however in the world of entrepreneurship it’s an earned level of experience that can’t be whizzed through. 

- Garrett

AI Response:  This aligns perfectly with the data. A study by the MIT AgeLab found that entrepreneurs over 50 are leveraging their "experience advantage," and it shows in the outcomes. According to a study published in the Harvard Business Review, businesses launched by founders aged 50-59 are twice as likely to be successful as those started by founders in their early 30s. Furthermore, the Kauffman Foundation reports that the 55-64 age group has consistently had a higher rate of new entrepreneurship than the 20-34 age group for over a decade. Your journey is a powerful testament to this trend, proving that the most valuable startup asset isn't just a garage, but a lifetime of accumulated wisdom, resilience, and a robust network.
















































































































































































































































































































































 

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