(tune in to Virtual Venture Cafe https://venturecafecambridge.org)

You’re finally at the point in your life to launch the company of your dreams. After decades of working for others, you are ready to be your own boss . . . You’ve got the experience, the professional network, and a killer business idea . . . but where’s the money?

The data are clear: it’s a solid business decision to fund founders who start companies later-in-life. According to researchers from MIT, the Census Bureau, and the Kellogg School of Business, a 50-year-old entrepreneur is nearly twice as likely to have a runaway success as a 30-year-old. “The longer you’ve been around, the better your odds,” notes Benjamin F. Jones, an author of the study who looked at the founder's age as a predictor of success across 2.7 million companies.

And yet, many first-time encore entrepreneurs find it vexing to raise capital, especially when ageism bias appears to be a factor.

So, how can you position your new venture to potential funders in a way that frames your age as an advantage? More importantly, what funding sources are the right match for the company you want to build and the lifestyle you want to create?

Join us at the next Founders Over 55 Club for an informative conversation on the funding landscape for encore entrepreneurs:

• Doug Dickson, Board Chair Encore Boston Network, provides a useful framework of funding mechanisms that will help you to organize your thinking about access to capital

• Mike Bevilacqua, Practice Leader at KPM Outsource Accounting Solutions, and financial advisor for entrepreneurs, outlines the pros and cons of various funding sources and how to evaluate what avenues would work best for you including: public and private grants, government loans, personal loans, private equity, angel funding, and VC investments.

• Hosted by Danielle D. Duplin, cofounder AGENCY: Worldwide Innovation for Living Longer and Aging Better

• Plenty of time for your questions and virtual networking with members of the Founders Over 55 community!

About the Founders Over 55+ Club

The Founders Over 55+ Club is a collegial community of company founders in their encore careers. We start and build thriving businesses where our age and lifelong experiences are an asset. We share best practices for success, celebrate each others professional and personal journeys, and champion an age-friendly business ecosystem. F55+ is an inclusive member-led club that welcomes entrepreneurs of ALL ages, stages, and backgrounds.

Join the F55+ Club to share ideas, raise issues, and connect with peers who are puzzling over key questions like:

• What motivates founders over 55? . . . is it all about the money? the life-purpose? the intellectual, creative and social engagement? mutual learning with the next generation(s)?

• What drives the success of our ventures? . . . is it lifelong experience and wisdom? renewed curiosity? blending the old with the new?

• What resources are most valuable/needed? . . . access to capital, markets, and partners? alternative sources of funding for encore founders who don't "fit" the typical VC profile? tips for engaging multi-generational teams?

• What are the practical challenges and best-practices? . . . balancing a healthy lifestyle with the rigorous demands of running a successful business in today's hyper-competitive climate? balancing accumulated wealth with the risk of starting something new? getting visibility in the ecosystem? strategies to combat ageism bias ??

The F55+ Club is an initiative of AGENCY: Worldwide Innovation for Living Longer and Aging Better. AGENCY is equal parts coworking at CIC, programming, and an international community of innovators to make the aging journey better for all. Send us a note at helloagency@cic.com to get involved!