The Scottish school curriculum currently sees children as young as five years old taking part in entrepreneurial challenges. While it may seem like an early age to be getting to grips with business acumen alongside learning to read and write, it’s an idea that could carry them forward later in life.

Initiatives such as Young Enterprise Scotland’s Fiver Challenge, where children have one month to try and create a profit-making idea from a five pound note, and Social Enterprise Academy’s ‘Dragon’s Den’ style pitching competitions, are just some of the ways young people are being exposed to the possibility of becoming their own boss.

When the time comes for school leavers to think about what comes next, more and more young people are turning to entrepreneurship. Since the British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans programme was launched in 2012, nearly 1,000 18 to 24 year old business owners in Scotland have been supported with a total of £6 million in funding to get started.

Among them, we have seen business owners transforming unused properties into holiday rentals, launching home improvement businesses, offering services such as personal training or dog walking, and more. These Gen Zers – as they are often referred to – have an impressive ‘can-do’ attitude and a willingness to do what it takes to bring an idea to life.

In recent years we have also seen the rise of the ‘side hustle’ among this generation, where they will often run additional projects alongside a traditional nine-to-five career. A global survey of 10,000 workers by Kantar last year showed that 40% of Gen Z workers were combining at least two roles.

On the other hand, it can also take some people until later in life to realise that they have a unique business idea and feel ready to take it forward. As a society, we are often quick to celebrate the achievements of young people, with the likes of under 30s lists, but we shouldn’t forget the success stories of those at a later stage of their working lives.

Entrepreneurs over 50 are also a core focus for the Start Up Loans programme. Almost 900 Scottish people in this age group have been supported with more than £8.5m of Start Up Loan finance since 2012, again covering a diverse mix of sectors and entrepreneurs all over the country.

While there may be potential barriers standing in the way of both older and younger entrepreneurs finding the courage to start a business, we are keen to ensure that there are options available to support founders no matter their age. Access to finance plays a big part in that, as well as guidance for building business plans, developing marketing strategies and growing confidence – all included as part of our programme.

With smaller businesses playing such a crucial role in the Scottish economy, it is important that founders at every stage of life have equal access to opportunities to develop and grow their businesses. At the same time, success can come to those bursting with the enthusiasm of youth, as well as those we may consider older and wiser.

Susan Nightingale is UK network director for Scotland at the British Business Bank