They say youth is wasted on the young but there are always exceptions.

The info graphic shows thirty entrepreneurs who have scaled their businesses to an enviable size before they hit the big three-oh.

Daniel Ek’s Spotify started in 2006 and is now rivalling iTunes, offering an alternative way for music lovers to download their favourite tunes. According to Ek the business will generate the same royalty revenues as Apple’s cash cow within two years.

Although tech’ entrepreneurs feature prominently there are those that are running traditional companies. Ray Land bought his first bus when he was seventeen and now, at only twenty five, has built a fleet of fifty luxury coaches and generates $10m in annual revenues.

As the barriers to business entry melt away – driven by both technology replacing traditional infrastructure and the social proof created by young people succeeding in hugely competitive markets the trend will continue. It will have to. Guaranteed careers with industrial monoliths, with cubicle offices, regular promotion and golden pensions are rarely available or desirable to the next generation of graduates and school leavers. Rarely in someone’s life is there a better time to start a business than when you are young. You have the hunger, the energy, the fearlessness, no dependants or ties.

What the hell do you have to lose!