Young founders are more likely than older business owners to hire and invest over the next year, even as the wider labour market stays cautious and entry-level jobs remain scarce.
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01Summary
- 01In the Q3 2026 Small Business Index, 46% of Gen Z and millennial owners said they plan to increase staff in the next year.
- 02Only 19% of baby boomer or older owners said they expect to add staff.
- 03Fifty per cent of younger owners plan to increase investment, compared with 18% of boomer owners, and 71% expect revenue growth versus 51% of older peers.
- 04Just 36% of all owners expect to add staff, down from 44% a year earlier.
- 05The September jobs report showed employers added 29,000 jobs and unemployment rose to 4.2%.
02Why it matters
The story shows that young founders are bucking a weak hiring climate, which matters for job seekers and for understanding where new openings may come from. It also suggests the small business sector is splitting by age and outlook.
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