Entrepreneurs are seizing global opportunities
On behalf of HSBC Private Bank, Ipsos has conducted an online survey of High Net Worth entrepreneurs to understand attitudes towards their business, their wealth and their outlook for the future. Findings from the research can be found in the 2025 edition of the HSBC Global Entrepreneurial Wealth Report.
HSBC Global Entrepreneurial Wealth Report
The report highlights how entrepreneurs worldwide are expressing a strong sense of optimism about their personal wealth growth and positive business outlook, driven by advances in AI and technology. A substantial number of these entrepreneurs have a strong desire for market expansion with over half considering relocation.
Despite this optimism, tensions remain over business transitions, as succession planning proves complex. Meanwhile, family concerns about the implications of inheritance and potential disputes are prevalent. Entrepreneurs advise the next generation to prioritize hands-on experience over formal qualifications, highlighting the importance of building financial literacy and business acumen.
The study also highlights that:
- Volatility in financial markets is the top concern among entrepreneurs in relation to their personal wealth (40 per cent), followed by inflation (36 per cent).
- Although 78 per cent say they have a clear business succession plan, half (51 per cent) worry about business continuity if they are not around.
- Entrepreneurs are as likely to own private assets as listed equities (46 per cent each), though ownership of private assets varies widely by market.
Technical note
This report is based on research conducted by Ipsos UK on behalf of HSBC Global Private Bank between 19th April and 21st May 2025.
The survey was a 20-minute online self-completion survey conducted in 15 countries, with a total of 3,083 business owners or ‘entrepreneurs’ (split 2,939 current business owners and 144 former business owners) who chose to take part in the research. The quantitative research was conducted across 15 markets: France (FR), Hong Kong (HK), India (IN), Indonesia (ID), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), mainland China (CN), Malaysia (MY), Philippines (PH), Singapore (SG), Switzerland (CH), Taiwan (TW), Thailand (TH), the UK, the USA, and United Arab Emirates (UAE). Quota sampling was applied.
Participation in the survey required participants audience to be currently own or have previously owned a business, have claimed investable assets of $2M USD/£1.5M GBP or a total net worth of $20M USD, and a main residency (more than 6 months of the year) in one of the markets listed. ‘All entrepreneurs’ or ‘all’ indicates a score that has been calculated on the full sample, and weighting was applied to the UK, mainland China and India to make the proportion of each market in the global average more comparable to the 2024 proportions for these markets. Weighting has not applied to any market-level data.
Qualitative research was conducted by Resonate Global Advisors LLP on behalf of HSBC. A total of 20 business owners or ‘entrepreneurs’ who chose to take part were included in the qualitative research. This consisted of a 30-minute telephone survey with participants from across the globe.
