[staunch]

"Is it too late guys?"

That's not a very "founder-y" type question. If you're relying on external approval and motivation you're going to have a hard time shouldering a startup. Fierce determination means not letting anything (including age or "rules") stop you. Joe Kraus is fond of saying: "The beginning of the discussion is when someone says 'no' -- that's where the fun begins."

Why don't you save up, build your startup prototype, get users loving it, and THEN give YC or a VC a call. There's nothing like hard evidence you have a clue to get someone's attention.

I'll be a bit harsh and suggest you might just be searching for an excuse why you can't do it.

By the way: PG and co. were around 30 when they did Viaweb.