Any Over 40 Searchers?

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03/19/2019 Redacted Redacted

searcher Colorado State University

Hello- The 2018 Stanford Search Fund Study indicated that very few searchers are over age 40 (3% of new funds in[redacted]were started by someone older than 40, and 7% in[redacted]As someone who is approaching his 50th birthday this year and just starting to explore search funds, I am very interested in hearing from anyone who is in the over-40 crowd. What model did you use? Did you enlist a partner? What challenges, if any, did you face? 

18 likes 395 views 31 comments

investor University of California, Berkeley - Haas School of Business Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute - 03/19/2019

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.

like reply | 1 like

searcher Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi Texas State University - McCoy College of Business - 03/21/2019

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

like reply | 0 likes

admin Stanford University - Graduate School of Business Massachusetts Institute of Technology Harvard University - 03/21/2019

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.searc

like reply | 2 likes

searcher Babson College - F.W. Olin Graduate School William Paterson University - Cotsakos College of Business - 03/21/2019

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.

like reply | 3 likes

searcher University of Pennsylvania - The Wharton School University of California, Berkeley - 03/21/2019

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.

like reply | 1 like

searcher Dartmouth College - Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth Princeton University United States Coast Guard Academy - 03/21/2019

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

like reply | 0 likes

investor Fort Lewis College - 03/22/2019

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.

like reply | 0 likes

intermediary IE Business School Universidad Iberoamericana - 03/22/2019

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.

like reply | 1 like

searcher The University of Michigan - Stephen M. Ross School of Business University of Michigan - Ann Arbor - 03/22/2019

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

like reply | 0 likes

searcher IESE Business School - 03/23/2019

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

like reply | 1 like

searcher Babson College - F.W. Olin Graduate School Harvard University Northeastern University Missouri Tech - 03/26/2019

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

like reply | 0 likes

searcher Carleton College University of Chicago - 06/24/2019

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

like reply | 0 likes

searcher - 06/24/2019

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 f

like reply | 2 likes

searcher North Carolina State University Campbell University - 10/17/2019

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

like reply | 0 likes

searcher Grantham University - 10/18/2019

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

like reply | 0 likes

lender California State University, Sacramento - College of Business Administration - 10/19/2019

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.

like reply | 1 like

searcher University of Pennsylvania - The Wharton School University of California, Berkeley - 01/25/2020

like reply | 0 likes

searcher University of Canberra - 04/07/2020

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.

like reply | 0 likes

searcher Saint Mary's University - 04/07/2020

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.

like reply | 0 likes

searcher Stevens Institute of Technology - 07/13/2020

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

like reply | 0 likes

searcher United States Military Academy Missouri University of Science and Technology The University of Chicago - Booth School of Business - 07/14/2020

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

like reply | 0 likes

searcher University of Canberra - 07/21/2020

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.

like reply | 0 likes

searcher Harvard University - Harvard Business School Boston College - 07/21/2020

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.

like reply | 0 likes

searcher The University of Chicago - Booth School of Business Davidson College - 11/26/2020

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?

like reply | 1 like

searcher The University of Chicago - Booth School of Business Davidson College - 11/26/2020

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.

like reply | 0 likes

searcher Stanford University - Graduate School of Business United States Military Academy - 11/29/2020

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. :)

like reply | 0 likes

searcher Stevens Institute of Technology - 12/03/2020

Over 40 here.

like reply | 0 likes

searcher United States Military Academy Missouri University of Science and Technology The University of Chicago - Booth School of Business - 12/14/2020

39 here, I turn 40 next month.

like reply | 0 likes

searcher RWTH Aachen University - School of Business and Economics - 06/21/2021

Over 40, age is no issue...

like reply | 1 like

professional University of Southern California - Marshall School of Business - 08/17/2021

Lots of them. I’ve observed that quite a few of them not only have the money to do a deal, but they’re motivated on the basis of a lifetime working for somebody else, and being ready to take control. Maybe not searchfunds, but lots of private parties looking for deals .

like reply | 0 likes

searcher Rice University - Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business Pace University - Lubin School of Business - 08/17/2021

I'm one of them. Saved up my own equity. Have some small business experience, but also 17 years of working for "the man".

like reply | 0 likes

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