Startup School for Seniors is an online course and group coaching programme for men and women over the age 50 who want to start a business. The programme is an eight-week group-based programme with pre-recorded videos, workbooks and self-assessment tools. The course covers a wide variety of topics to help people starting their own business such as writing a business plan, the legal side of setting up a business, knowing your competition, pricing as well as strategy. There is a core programme as well as programmes focused on the creative and green business start-ups.
We have designed, facilitated and participated in many start-up programmes and these often fail participants, especially those in the intersections of age, gender, colour, ‘ability’ and wealth/class.
For an older person to make the successful transition to self-employment, they must first build up their confidence and resilience. The course addresses many of the self-limiting beliefs preventing participants from taking the steps necessary to transition their career, whether that be into self-employment or otherwise.
Startup School for Seniors is acknowledged as the leading provision aimed at supporting over 50s into self-employment.
The Startup School for Seniors programme is gender-neutral and specifically aimed at the over 50s to become self-employed or set up their own business.
The over 50s tend to have complex needs compared with other age groups for whom support is available. For example, one in five people aged 50+ has caring responsibilities.
Our eLearning programme suits those with health issues or limited mobility. In place, entrepreneurial programmes often struggle to support learners who may not attend classes that conform to a strict timetable for one reason or another.
Delivered using video, our participants, many of whom have caring and other responsibilities, can access the materials at a time and date that meet their needs. The Facebook and Zoom groups provide participants with the support often lacking in many other digitally delivered programmes.