Palmer Luckey on Why Young People Should Start Companies Sooner

Oculus founder Palmer Luckey challenges the idea that starting a company when you’re young is risky or brave — and argues it’s actually the best time to do it.

“Everyone talks about how scary it is to start a company, but it really depends on where you are in your life. If you are someone with a family and with kids and with a stable job, then that totally makes sense. What I don’t buy — and I always push back on — is this idea that starting a company as a recent college graduate or someone taking a break from college is some kind of crazy, incredible sacrifice…. You don’t have a family to take care of. You don’t have a mortgage. You don’t have a career. You have nothing.”

Palmer continues:

“I guess dropping out of school, maybe. But if you can get your head past that, then it’s actually pretty easy. Usually what I tell people is — if you’re going to start a company, realize the stakes are lower when you’re young than they will ever be… I don’t think it takes that much bravery when you’re young to start a company. And I think more people should do that and recognize that really they’re a coward for not … You have nowhere to go but up and nothing to waste but time.”