Abstract

Purpose - As the members of the baby boomer generation have retired in earnest, the start-up market has received more attention than ever before. According to recent statistical data, an increasing number of entrepreneurs are in their fifties. There has been a continuous increase in promotional materials on small business issues published by start-ups. This means that senior start-ups have increased in number. A number of support systems have been established for youth start-ups, but there are few government support policies in place for the senior start-up market. Thus, this study suggests a number of constructive alternatives from the perspective of government policy and marketing strategy for entrepreneurs, in order to generate competitiveness in the start-up process, through examining the current state of the senior start-up and by diagnosing extant problems. Research design, data, methodology - This study gives a number of options regarding the government's support policies and the securing of competitiveness in order to vitalize senior business start-ups. As for the government's support policies, funding support policy, publicizing business start-up policies, and operating systematic mentoring policies before retirement have all been covered. In particular, in order for senior business start-ups to become competitive, development through mutual relations with diverse policies is urgently needed. The aging population is becoming an issue in Korea, so businesses for the aged, and the creation of jobs for these people, will become a social issue. Senior business start-ups are playing an important role in expanding enterprise productivity, in addition to enhancing national competitiveness. Expanding senior business start-ups is important, because they also serve to expand the national infrastructure. Productivity increase through continuous expansion is thus recommended. Results - In order to expand the competitiveness of business start-ups, marketing-related observations and learning in regard to customers are necessary for the baby boomer generation, and competitiveness for seniors is urgently needed. Conclusions - Studies on the business start-up policies for the domestic baby boomer generation are almost non-existent, and systematic studies on small businesses are necessary. Only the government is providing statistical studies for small businesses, and such research remains at a general level for entrepreneurs. Therefore, a support system that can actually assist entrepreneurs is essential. Continuous business start-up studies with respect to the baby boomers should be vitalized, to invigorate studies on competition. In order to supplement and strengthen foundational support, senior business start-ups must develop various competitive capabilities with a focus on the customer. The government and the various stakeholder agencies and organizations involved with start-up businesses must find ways to offer support to founders. Such support should include access to knowledge and legal and consultancy services in order to incubate the rapid increase in start-ups founded by seniors. Government support projects should be expanded to meet this end.