SURVEY INVOLVING FM CU REVEALS STRONG ENTREPRENEURIAL POTENTIAL AMONG PEOPLE OVER 50
Bratislava, 6 May 2026: People in later life across Europe are not simply looking to slow down. An international survey carried out under the CHANCE project, with the participation of the Faculty of Management of Comenius University Bratislava (FM CU), points to strong interest among people over 50 in starting their own businesses. Their reasons are not only financial: many are primarily motivated by the desire for self-fulfilment and the opportunity to put decades of professional experience to good use.
The survey, conducted in summer and autumn 2025, involved more than 600 respondents from the project’s partner countries: Croatia, Czech Republic, Finland, Ireland, and Slovakia. Its findings indicate that many people over 50 are not merely considering entrepreneurship, but are actively looking for ways to turn their professional know-how into new business ventures. In Slovakia, 73% of respondents identified personal fulfilment as their main motivation. Interest is highest in areas where respondents already have extensive experience, particularly consultancy, coaching, and digital services.
Nevertheless, this willingness to start a business is held back by several obstacles. Administrative burdens and bureaucracy are among the most frequently cited barriers, especially in Slovakia, where they were mentioned by 62% of respondents, and in Czechia, where the figure was 55%. Limited digital skills also remain a significant challenge, cited by 48% of respondents in Slovakia.
“The 50+ generation is an exceptionally valuable source of knowledge, experience, and professional networks. Our survey shows that many experienced professionals have a strong intrinsic motivation to start a business and share their know-how. With targeted support and education, they can make a major contribution to innovation and to strengthening Europe’s economic stability,” said Michal Greguš, CHANCE project coordinator at FM CU.
The project’s main objective is therefore to develop a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) tailored to the needs of so-called “late entrepreneurs”. The course will focus on practical aspects of entrepreneurship, including business planning, financial management, marketing, and the use of digital tools. It will then be piloted with at least 350 participants. The course content is based directly on respondents’ preferences, with particular emphasis on video formats, online learning, interactive elements, group discussions, and individual mentoring. The goal is to create a scalable model for entrepreneurial education at European level, specifically designed for the 50+ population.
The CHANCE Erasmus+ project, funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ programme, focuses on developing the skills of people aged over 50 who want to start a business or pursue a new career path. The project brings together six partner organisations from five European countries: Croatia, Czechia, Finland, Ireland, and Slovakia. The partners have expertise in education, entrepreneurship, and working with older adults. Alongside FM CU, they include the Regional Development and Innovation Agency (Slovakia), Newton University (Czechia), Savonia University of Applied Sciences (Finland), Údarás na Gaeltachta (Ireland), and Algebra Bernays University (Croatia).
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