Serial entrepreneurs are not merely driven by financial rewards; rather, adrenaline can be a key driver for continual involvement in businesses – according to research by Coutts and the Centre for Entrepreneurs (CFE).

The report entitled ‘Beyond the first business: the myths, risks and rewards of being a serial entrepreneur’, delves deeper into the trends of entrepreneurs by surveying 135 UK business owners.

A key trend uncovered is that wealth creation is only one of the motivations for serial entrepreneurship. Of the surveyed entrepreneurs: 73% enjoy contributing to society; 79% enjoy interacting with the people they work with and over 90% enjoy being involved in business growth. In comparison, 69% are motivated by wealth creation.

Entrepreneurs can often feel a sense of loss after selling off their businesses and can enter into a "mourning period". The allure of a life of playing golf or sunning oneself on a secluded island can quickly become dull – especially for individuals who are accustomed to the fast paced lifestyle of owning a business. Entrepreneurs are often keen to return to business; either via a new start-up, becoming a member of an advisory board or by involvement in a portfolio of businesses.

Dylan Williams, managing director – England and Wales at Coutts, says that the trend towards serial entrepreneurship is particularly apparent amongst millennials:

"Millennials are widely challenging the notion that entrepreneurs hang up their boots and retire after just one business. Entrepreneurs are starting businesses younger and have faster expectations to sell – these factors together with longer life expectancy means we are starting to see a new breed of serial entrepreneurs. Instead of starting businesses from scratch, more of these seasoned business owners are now investing in and mentoring a portfolio of companies. There is huge untapped potential for serial entrepreneurship and the role of experience seems invaluable to success. Unlocking that further could provide significant economic benefits."

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The report indicates that In general, individuals are starting businesses at a younger age: over half (57%) started their first business by the age of 25 versus only 23% of those aged 35 and above. Younger entrepreneurs are also more impatient to exit, with 63% planning to exit their current business within the next five years, versus 46% of those 35 and over.