I’m well over 40 and am a solo, self-funded searcher. Happy to talk about my experience so far, PM me to set something up.

I just turned 40. So technically I'm not over 40. But I am in Austin, TX; we should get together and compare notes.

Hi, Drew - There are a few previous posts that may be of interest to you:
* Jim Sharpe’s Searching Mid-Career: https://www.searchfunder.com/article/viewarticle/1425
* Starting A Search Mid-Career: Life Experience vs. Formal Education https://www.searchfunder.com/article/viewarticle/58
* Mid 30s Search https://www.searchfunder.com/article/viewarticle/564
* Over 60 Funded Search https://www.searchfunder.com/article/viewarticle/56

Drew - the Stanford search fund study covers traditional search funds versus self-funded searchers (and independent sponsors) which is where you are more likely to find the over 40 crowd.

I recently both joined the 40+ world and made my acquisition. I think there are some subtle but important differences, e.g., searcher board membership, relocating with school-age kids, participation in your own deal, etc that should be discussed more often. Happy to provide my advice along these lines over the phone if it would be helpful.

I'm a self-funded and 40+, but am too early in the process to give you an idea of any specific challenges

I am 50+, but while I would prefer to fund a searchers deal I actually am not opposed to acquiring a company too. I would fund my own search in that situation, but that is probably driven more by my own personal situation I suspect. I've been an entrepreneur for nearly 25 years, so I am likely just really comfortable with that approach.

My partner and I are 40 and 41 and as mid-career searchers, we have found a couple of investors that are only focusing on[redacted]searchers or questioning compensation.

I just turned 50 last year and am self funded. Happy to chat if you would like... [redacted]

I am 46, raising funds for a solo traditional SF. Happy to chat if you would like.

41, self-funded. Hit me up at [redacted] and we can chat for 30 minutes. I'll walk you through my model.

Hi Drew, I am 45 and searching solo. Glad to see there are others out there.

43 and currently an operator and searching for another acquisition. More than happy to connect with any of you and offer any insight/trade experiences. For me, the biggest challenge is how to protect my family time and the impact a non local acquisition would have on my family and school aged kids if we were to relocate. We certainly discuss it and while New England is a great place to live, I do recognize that because where we live (90 minutes north of Boston) we're rather rural and there are far fewer companies of size in our immediate area. [redacted]

I am in your age crowd and happy to talk with you about my experience

46... age is just a number in this field. Love to chat!

I'm moderating a panel at Chicago Booth/Kellogg ETA conference Nov 15th on the 'Mid Career ETA search' which we'll be presenting for the alternative (non-traditional)/Self-Funded track. This is a very popular topic and you are joining a well represented community.

I had similar questions, and I'm happy to chat with you offline, just as others helped me through it. For my part, I believe that this is the time when our experience counts the most, so make the most of it!! Every searcher/operator has to play to their strengths...your strengths are likely different than the other 97%. Use that to your advantage every chance you get, and show those kids how it's done :)

Hi Drew. Age is irrelevant. It's a mindset. If you believe that the average lifespans of humans is getting longer (in some countries ave.-83 for males and older for females) then if you are in your 50s you'd be just about to begin your third or fourth career path to take you to 70+. And then, what will you do in your 70s-90s? My favorite story is meeting a 93 year-old gent who came into the city at our business club every day - suit and tie, to attend board meetings for his investments etc. Staff asked him "Mr Jones, where have you been?" he responded: "wife and I went on a cruise. Loved it so much we've booked the next 2 years cruises..." I aspire to be just like him when I am that age. In contrast there are some 33 year olds who act gentrified. Age is just a number - not an attitude.

Great article on this and stats re age and entrepreneurial success at https://secondsquared.space/if-you-follow-media-coverage-of-the-entrepreneurial-world-you-could-be-forgiven-for-thinking-its-just-the-domain-of-people-in-their-mid-20s-and-technology-start-ups-koshies-business-buil/

I am with those saying that your age is completely irrelevant. I'm sure your overall strategy might be different if you were 22 but being 40 is definitely not a deterrent.

Age is a number. People with strategy, deals & execution experience are always in demand!

I am knocking on 40's door. I am happy to chat about my experience thus far.

Hi Drew, I posted on this a while back here https://www.searchfunder.com/post/im-only-just-warming-up

And to address the unsaid - even if you go it alone and become the singe searcher without a partnership, one of the important aspects of your strategy will be to address your succession/address the key-person risks associated at any level in any business.

And speaking from experience, by the time you are in your 40s (IMHO my 40s were just the start of me getting my mojo) you have probably experienced all kinds of business relationships and are beginning to know what works/doesnt for you. I was in partnership with a corporate psychopath (ticked[redacted]of clinical psychopathic attributes) from which I learned much and was able to learn how to spot the signs early.

Being clear on what you bring to the table and what your blind spots are is important too as your business partner should not bring the same as you - you have to complement and leverage your unique abilities to really gain momentum.

Also don't forget the power of a great investor community - many of whom will support the right minded entrepreneur.

I think the Stanford study will undercount most people above 35 since (no real data on this) most mid-career searchers typically go for a self-funded search.

Drew, I appreciate your question, as I am 47 and new to Searchfunder. I'm curious, did you go forward with your search since posting this? What was your experience?

I also agree with Eric that most people over 40 do not think of a self-funded search as ETA or as being a "searcher" in this framework. They are just buying a business.

39 here, and currently under LOI for round 2. Not necessarily doing a search though, so probably flying under the statistical radar like many others. :)

Over 40 here.

39 here, I turn 40 next month.