Traditionally a tool for climbing corporate ladders, the Executive MBA (EMBA) is increasingly being used as a launchpad for entrepreneurship, especially by older graduates, Financial Times reports.
According to data from the 2024 Financial Times (FT) EMBA Ranking, the number of graduates in their late 40s or older who have started their own businesses has seen a notable rise.
While 29% of alumni aged 30 or younger launched start-ups within three years of completing their EMBA, this figure climbs to one-third for those in their late 40s and surpasses 40% for graduates aged 54 or older. The data, collected from business schools participating in the 2024 ranking, suggests that mature entrepreneurs often benefit from their extensive networks, access to capital, and accumulated experience.
This trend reflects a broader shift, with the share of all EMBA graduates who have started businesses increasing from 25% in 2016 to 29% in 2024. The average age of graduates launching start-ups has also risen to over 43 years, compared to 41 in 2016.
The FT’s ranking was topped for the first time by the China Europe International Business School (Ceibs) in Shanghai, which defied China’s economic slowdown and geopolitical challenges. Ceibs’ rise is partly attributed to its high average alumni salaries, with China-based courses dominating the top salary rankings. The school’s success marks the first time a solo EMBA program from the Asia-Pacific region has claimed the top spot.
Despite the growing interest in entrepreneurship, alumni salaries have seen a decline in real terms. Three years after completing an EMBA, graduates over 40 saw average earnings drop from $240,000 in 2018 to $210,000 in 2024.
