CHARLOTTE, N.C., Aug. 15, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- LendingTree®, the nation's leading online loan marketplace, today
released a study on the cities in the U.S. with the youngest entrepreneurs.
The study compared ages of business founders on their companies' dates of origination in the 50 largest U.S. cities using
anonymized data from business owners seeking funding through the LendingTree small business marketplace.
Average founder's ages when starting their business ranged from 37 to 42 years old. This five-year gap in average ages might
seem small, but it can represent many factors that work for — or against — entrepreneurs in each city.
Key findings
- Salt Lake City, Buffalo, N.Y. and New Orleans have the youngest business founders, on average. Entrepreneurs in these cities, along with
Oklahoma City, were younger than 38 years old on average at the time they started their
businesses.
- Providence, R.I., San Jose, Calif. and Hartford, Conn., fell on the other end of the spectrum — business founders were 42 years old on
average when starting their companies.
- Gen Xers helmed nearly 42 percent of new businesses founded in the last five years, followed by millennials who
founded almost 38 percent.
- Louisville, Ky. had the highest proportion of millennial founders, at 44.8
percent.
- Providence, R.I. and Philadelphia had the highest
proportion of Gen X founders, at 48.7 percent.
- Baby boomers founded more businesses in Silicon Valley (San Jose, Calif.) than
anywhere else, at 24.1 percent. As one of the most expensive communities in the country, it may take budding entrepreneurs
longer to save up starting capital.
The cities with the youngest entrepreneurs
The cities with the youngest entrepreneurs are likely to have some of the lowest barriers to enter entrepreneurship.
A closer look reveals that booming local economies, along with low local costs and taxes, may be fueling startup growth. These
cities also have strong support systems in place to help founders and their startups succeed, from business incubators and
accelerators to networking events and opportunities to apply for small business grants or attract venture capital.
In short, these are the cities where young entrepreneurs are more quickly reaching their goal to form a business of their
own.
|
The 10 Places With the Youngest Entrepreneurs
|
|
|
|
% of New Business Founders by Generation
|
|
Rank
|
Metro
|
Average Founder Age
|
Gen Z
|
Millennial
|
Gen X
|
Baby Boom
|
Silent
|
|
1
|
Salt Lake City
|
37.81
|
2.1%
|
40.0%
|
45.3%
|
12.1%
|
0.5%
|
|
2
|
Buffalo, N.Y.
|
37.91
|
3.6%
|
35.5%
|
42.2%
|
16.9%
|
1.8%
|
|
3
|
New Orleans
|
37.95
|
1.6%
|
42.1%
|
39.2%
|
16.1%
|
1.0%
|
|
4
|
Oklahoma City
|
37.97
|
0.7%
|
43.7%
|
39.3%
|
15.6%
|
0.7%
|
|
5
|
Charlotte, N.C.
|
38.21
|
5.0%
|
34.7%
|
44.2%
|
14.8%
|
1.3%
|
|
6
|
Minneapolis
|
38.74
|
1.6%
|
41.2%
|
40.6%
|
15.1%
|
1.4%
|
|
7
|
St. Louis
|
38.77
|
0.8%
|
40.3%
|
42.0%
|
16.0%
|
1.0%
|
|
8
|
Portland, Ore.
|
38.79
|
1.5%
|
41.3%
|
37.7%
|
18.0%
|
1.5%
|
|
9
|
Milwaukee
|
38.98
|
0.9%
|
43.3%
|
37.5%
|
17.0%
|
1.3%
|
|
10
|
Austin, Texas
|
39.02
|
1.3%
|
37.8%
|
42.3%
|
16.6%
|
1.9%
|
1. Salt Lake City
The youngest business founders in the country can be found in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Entrepreneurs here achieve their dreams of starting a business at just 37.8 years old.
The area known as "Silicon Slopes" encompasses the Salt Lake City metropolitan area and
nearby cities; it is home to billion-dollar tech companies such as Overstock.com, PluralSight and Qualtrics.
These big players have helped established a steady, growing economy in Salt Lake City and
throughout Utah. The area also has an established (and growing) pool of qualified talent.
Combined with the relatively low cost of living, entrepreneurs in Utah have few obstacles — and
plenty of opportunities.
2. Buffalo, New York
In Buffalo, the typical business founder is just 37.9 years old, and a decent portion of the
city's entrepreneurs belong to Generation Z (3.6 percent).
Buffalo's business climate has improved in recent years, thanks in part to a billion-dollar
economic development package proposed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo in 2012. This money has since flowed
into the state's second-largest city, and Buffalo has seen some gains from the program, even in
the wake of some false starts and scandals.
On top of the "Buffalo billions" initiative, this city offers a relatively affordable cost of
living and a strong support system for budding entrepreneurs. This includes business education and support through the Center for
Entrepreneurial Leadership at The State University of New York at Buffalo and local business
incubators like Launch NY and 43North.
3. New Orleans
The dream of entrepreneurship is within reach for many New Orleans founders — the average age
of founders is just under 38.
Not only is New Orleans a cultural giant, it's also a standout when it comes to cultivating
the next generation of entrepreneurs and startups.
A hallmark of New Orleans' business landscape is the annual New Orleans Entrepreneur Week.
Started by entrepreneurship-focused nonprofit Idea Village,
this major event gives would-be founders a chance to learn, grow and even pitch their business ideas.
On top of strong community initiatives to support new businesses, New Orleans also provides
twin benefits of affordable local costs and business tax
incentives that can help lower the economic barriers to starting a business.
4. Oklahoma City
Oklahoma is the last city that can boast an average founder age under 38 years old, and it's
also the city among the top 10 with the largest share of millennial founders, at 43.7 percent.
These young entrepreneurs can thank the solid network of support found in Oklahoma City and
throughout the state, too — for instance, a business incentive act offers a tax break to Oklahoma businesses participating in certified business incubators.
Lastly, a low cost of living will help ensure founders can put their capital toward starting and growing their Oklahoma City startups — and not just keeping the lights on.
5. Charlotte, North Carolina
The average age of founders in this rapidly growing city is 38.21. In 2017, most of the $1
billion in venture capital raised by North Carolina entrepreneurs went to Charlotte-based companies. The flow of money into new Charlotte businesses
is just one sign of the city's healthy startup ecosystem.
Another is Charlotte's large cohort of Generation Z entrepreneurs: a full 5 percent of
Charlotte's business founders fell into this college-aged (or younger) group. This could be
thanks to the support and influence of UNC Charlotte's Ventureprise entrepreneurship program, which provides business resources,
trainings and certifications to students and Charlotte community members alike.
"For young entrepreneurs, finding the right location can be an important part of launching their startup," said Hunter Stunzi, SVP of Business Loans at LendingTree. "Entrepreneurs should consider the different factors
working for — or against — new companies in a city and try to find a location with strong support systems and lower barriers to
entry."
To view the full report, visit https://www.lendingtree.com/business/small/places-with-the-youngest-entrepreneurs/.
|
Places With the Youngest Entrepreneurs
|
|
|
|
% of New Business Founders by Generation
|
|
Rank
|
Metro
|
Average
Founder
Age
|
Gen Z
|
Millennial
|
Gen X
|
Baby Boom
|
Silent
|
|
1
|
Salt Lake City
|
37.81
|
2.1%
|
40.0%
|
45.3%
|
12.1%
|
0.5%
|
|
2
|
Buffalo, N.Y.
|
37.91
|
3.6%
|
35.5%
|
42.2%
|
16.9%
|
1.8%
|
|
3
|
New Orleans
|
37.95
|
1.6%
|
42.1%
|
39.2%
|
16.1%
|
1.0%
|
|
4
|
Oklahoma City
|
37.97
|
0.7%
|
43.7%
|
39.3%
|
15.6%
|
0.7%
|
|
5
|
Charlotte,
N.C.
|
38.21
|
5.0%
|
34.7%
|
44.2%
|
14.8%
|
1.3%
|
|
6
|
Minneapolis
|
38.74
|
1.6%
|
41.2%
|
40.6%
|
15.1%
|
1.4%
|
|
7
|
St. Louis
|
38.77
|
0.8%
|
40.3%
|
42.0%
|
16.0%
|
1.0%
|
|
8
|
Portland, Ore.
|
38.79
|
1.5%
|
41.3%
|
37.7%
|
18.0%
|
1.5%
|
|
9
|
Milwaukee
|
38.98
|
0.9%
|
43.3%
|
37.5%
|
17.0%
|
1.3%
|
|
10
|
Austin, Texas
|
39.02
|
1.3%
|
37.8%
|
42.3%
|
16.6%
|
1.9%
|
|
11
|
Philadelphia
|
39.03
|
0.7%
|
35.2%
|
48.7%
|
14.8%
|
0.7%
|
|
12
|
Kansas City,
Mo.
|
39.21
|
1.3%
|
42.5%
|
37.7%
|
17.7%
|
0.8%
|
|
13
|
Atlanta
|
39.22
|
0.9%
|
37.9%
|
44.5%
|
16.1%
|
0.6%
|
|
13
|
Birmingham,
Ala.
|
39.22
|
2.0%
|
37.7%
|
40.1%
|
19.5%
|
0.7%
|
|
15
|
Virginia
Beach, Va.
|
39.24
|
0.9%
|
37.3%
|
44.3%
|
16.9%
|
0.7%
|
|
16
|
Cleveland
|
39.31
|
2.4%
|
38.7%
|
38.7%
|
19.2%
|
1.1%
|
|
17
|
Cincinnati
|
39.40
|
0.8%
|
39.7%
|
39.7%
|
19.0%
|
0.8%
|
|
18
|
Pittsburgh
|
39.43
|
1.2%
|
39.3%
|
36.0%
|
21.6%
|
1.8%
|
|
19
|
Baltimore
|
39.45
|
0.8%
|
39.0%
|
41.4%
|
18.1%
|
0.7%
|
|
20
|
San Diego
|
39.52
|
0.9%
|
38.8%
|
41.9%
|
16.7%
|
1.6%
|
|
21
|
Dallas
|
39.56
|
1.0%
|
37.8%
|
43.7%
|
16.3%
|
1.2%
|
|
22
|
Nashville,
Tenn.
|
39.60
|
1.7%
|
37.0%
|
42.0%
|
19.1%
|
0.3%
|
|
23
|
Houston
|
39.64
|
1.0%
|
37.4%
|
41.7%
|
18.7%
|
1.2%
|
|
23
|
Louisville, Ky.
|
39.64
|
0.5%
|
44.8%
|
29.7%
|
23.4%
|
1.6%
|
|
25
|
Indianapolis
|
39.65
|
2.2%
|
37.1%
|
42.7%
|
16.6%
|
1.4%
|
|
26
|
Denver
|
39.75
|
0.7%
|
37.3%
|
40.5%
|
19.7%
|
1.7%
|
|
27
|
Chicago
|
39.76
|
0.9%
|
38.4%
|
40.8%
|
18.7%
|
1.2%
|
|
27
|
New York
|
39.76
|
1.0%
|
40.6%
|
39.1%
|
18.0%
|
1.3%
|
|
29
|
Miami
|
39.78
|
1.3%
|
37.3%
|
41.6%
|
17.5%
|
2.4%
|
|
30
|
Jacksonville,
Fla.
|
39.80
|
1.0%
|
34.8%
|
46.9%
|
16.5%
|
0.7%
|
|
31
|
Seattle
|
39.81
|
0.8%
|
36.9%
|
44.0%
|
17.5%
|
0.9%
|
|
32
|
Columbus,
Ohio
|
39.87
|
1.0%
|
39.2%
|
40.5%
|
16.9%
|
2.3%
|
|
33
|
Richmond,
Va.
|
39.89
|
1.5%
|
37.0%
|
41.6%
|
18.7%
|
1.2%
|
|
34
|
Raleigh, N.C.
|
39.90
|
0.0%
|
38.3%
|
43.2%
|
15.5%
|
2.9%
|
|
35
|
Phoenix
|
39.99
|
0.7%
|
37.1%
|
42.0%
|
18.8%
|
1.4%
|
|
36
|
Los Angeles
|
40.01
|
0.8%
|
38.3%
|
40.0%
|
19.1%
|
1.8%
|
|
37
|
Washington
|
40.04
|
0.6%
|
36.4%
|
42.4%
|
19.8%
|
0.8%
|
|
38
|
Orlando, Fla.
|
40.10
|
0.9%
|
37.1%
|
40.8%
|
19.7%
|
1.6%
|
|
39
|
Detroit
|
40.16
|
1.0%
|
37.1%
|
40.9%
|
18.6%
|
2.3%
|
|
40
|
San Antonio
|
40.33
|
1.4%
|
35.6%
|
43.0%
|
17.9%
|
2.1%
|
|
41
|
Tampa, Fla.
|
40.35
|
1.5%
|
38.1%
|
37.9%
|
20.6%
|
2.0%
|
|
42
|
San Francisco
|
40.40
|
1.0%
|
35.4%
|
41.9%
|
20.0%
|
1.7%
|
|
43
|
Memphis,
Tenn.
|
40.57
|
1.4%
|
35.1%
|
42.4%
|
20.3%
|
0.8%
|
|
44
|
Sacramento,
Calif.
|
40.70
|
1.1%
|
34.6%
|
43.2%
|
19.3%
|
1.9%
|
|
45
|
Riverside,
Calif.
|
40.88
|
0.7%
|
33.0%
|
45.9%
|
18.5%
|
1.9%
|
|
46
|
Las Vegas
|
41.55
|
0.8%
|
32.5%
|
44.8%
|
19.4%
|
2.5%
|
|
47
|
Boston
|
41.82
|
2.1%
|
37.2%
|
39.3%
|
20.3%
|
1.0%
|
|
48
|
Hartford, Conn.
|
42.10
|
2.8%
|
32.1%
|
45.0%
|
17.4%
|
2.8%
|
|
49
|
San Jose,
Calif.
|
42.13
|
0.0%
|
30.1%
|
43.3%
|
24.1%
|
2.5%
|
|
50
|
Providence,
R.I.
|
42.68
|
1.3%
|
31.3%
|
48.7%
|
17.3%
|
1.3%
|
|
Average
|
39.75
|
1.3%
|
37.6%
|
41.7%
|
18.0%
|
1.4%
|
|
Source: Analysis of LendingTree anonymized user data.
|
About LendingTree
LendingTree (NASDAQ: TREE) is the nation's leading online marketplace that connects consumers with the choices they need to
be confident in their financial decisions. LendingTree empowers consumers to shop for financial services the same way they would
shop for airline tickets or hotel stays, comparing multiple offers from a nationwide network of over 500 partners in one simple
search, and can choose the option that best fits their financial needs. Services include mortgage loans, mortgage refinances,
auto loans, personal loans, business loans, student refinances, credit cards and more. Through the My LendingTree platform, consumers receive free credit scores, credit
monitoring and recommendations to improve credit health. My LendingTree proactively compares consumers' credit accounts against
offers on our network, and notifies consumers when there is an opportunity to save money. In short, LendingTree's purpose is to
help simplify financial decisions for life's meaningful moments through choice, education and support. LendingTree, LLC is a
subsidiary of LendingTree, Inc. For more information, go to www.lendingtree.com, dial 800-555-TREE, like our Facebook page and/or follow us on Twitter @LendingTree.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Megan Greuling
704-943-8208
Megan.greuling@lendingtree.com
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