Silver entrepreneurship is an important proposition for developing the aging human resources and promoting high-quality development under the background of active aging. This study, based on data from the China Family Panel Studies ( CFPS ) 2010-2018, makes exploratory analysis to describe the entrepreneurial status of the elderly in our country, examines the impact of individual differences such as age, health status and education level, as well as external entrepreneurial environment factors on silver entrepreneurship, and focuses an analyzing the impact effect of age. The study fi nds that: First, silver entrepreneurship is an important part of our country’s entrepreneurship, whilst the age has played a greater role in promoting silver entrepreneurship than its inhibitory effect. In addition, it is generally feasible to encourage and support silver entrepreneurship. Second, individual health has a positive effect on silver entrepreneurship. However, the impact of education level on silver entrepreneurship is weak, and industry experience and entrepreneurial experience have more signifi cance to it. Third, the heterogeneity of the external entrepreneurial environment has an important impact on silver entrepreneurship. Based on the research conclusion, the study suggests that measures should be taken to change the policy orientation, establish a multi-level silver entrepreneurship system, and promote the formation of a coordinated supporting economic and social policy system. Thus, silver entrepreneurship will become an important force in promoting the development of an innovative economy.