This is really a factor if you make a factor, or better yet - let it dictate who you are. If you think you are 'too old' then you probably are. But what if you don't think about age because it's silly and instead you continue to improve yourself, learn the latest tech and generally make yourself someone worthy of being in a startup? Granted there are other factors such as financial/family obligations (mortgage, college tuition for the kids, food on the table, etc) that might make not ideal for a start-up - but age shouldn't be something that enters the equations (well up until I point though I have no idea what that 'point' would be).
I know I've thought that this ageism thing could be a factor. Hell I was nervous 'admitting' I am 43 in another post and when I signed up for the start-school (like it's wrong or something). But the thing is, because I don't think about age, and because I continue to learn and grow, it's never come up. It probably helps that I played a sport at a near pro level and know how to 'train' and consequently look 34 instead of 43; but the reality is we influence ourselves more than we realize (it's a internal mental game thing). Bottom line is if you want it bad enough you make it happen.
I know I've thought that this ageism thing could be a factor. Hell I was nervous 'admitting' I am 43 in another post and when I signed up for the start-school (like it's wrong or something). But the thing is, because I don't think about age, and because I continue to learn and grow, it's never come up. It probably helps that I played a sport at a near pro level and know how to 'train' and consequently look 34 instead of 43; but the reality is we influence ourselves more than we realize (it's a internal mental game thing). Bottom line is if you want it bad enough you make it happen.