In September 2026 I reflected on board composition and startup co‑founder conflict, citing recent research and theory to argue for age‑diverse, conflict‑aware governance.
S&P 500 and Fortune 100 companies' average board age today is 62.5-63.8 years.
65% of high‑potential startups fail due to conflict among co‑founders.
CB Insights, a market intelligence platform, lists disharmony amongst teams as one of the top 10 reasons for startup failures.
A 2023 Study on CEO age and firm performance by Florida Atlantic University suggests that older CEOs exhibit significantly lower managerial ability when managing high‑technology firms.
According to Socioemotional Selectivity Theory, older adults, compared with younger adults, prefer emotionally close partners over peripheral social partners.