Senior entrepreneurship: a case study for Portugal

Entrepreneurship is a potential activity for older individuals, who may start a business because they need to, they want to, or both. This chapter sheds light on senior entrepreneurship by examining the Portuguese case. Portugal has academic and policy relevance as it has one of the most aged populations worldwide. The study draws on statistics, forecasts, secondary data (longitudinal matched employer–employee database) and primary data (questionnaire designed and launched by the authors). Results show that although Portugal lags behind in the proportion of senior entrepreneurs (SE) compared to other European countries, Portuguese SE are increasing. Portuguese SE start firms at around 56 years old, have a large amount of entrepreneurial experience and were paid-employed immediately before starting up their firms. Although these companies do not generate high-income levels, the majority of SE surveyed evaluate their companies as successful, gauge high levels of business satisfaction and see entrepreneurship as a mechanism for active ageing.