Ipsos conducted this research on behalf of HSBC Private Bank during April – May 2026. Ipsos was commissioned to design and carry out the survey to understand High Net Worth entrepreneurs’ attitudes towards their business, their wealth and their outlook for the future. Findings from the research can be found in the 2026 edition of the HSBC Global Entrepreneurial Wealth Report.
25.09.26
The report reveals a new phase of entrepreneurial confidence, with business owners around the world increasingly using AI as a catalyst for growth, productivity and long-term wealth creation. While optimism remains exceptionally strong, decision-making is becoming more focused, with entrepreneurs making larger investments in technology and talent, prioritising home-market growth, and taking a more diversified approach to personal wealth management.
HSBC Global Entrepreneurial Wealth Report
The research shows that AI is now firmly embedded within entrepreneurial strategies. Every entrepreneur surveyed reports investing in AI, and it is the leading driver of business optimism. However, attitudes towards AI remain nuanced, with levels of trust varying according to the task, suggesting entrepreneurs are balancing enthusiasm for innovation with careful judgement around risk and decision-making.
The study also highlights that:
- Trust in AI is highest for personal and business use (91 per cent and 90 per cent respectively), but lower for investment management (84 per cent), suggesting a more cautious approach to higher-stakes decisions.
- Among entrepreneurs investing in alternatives, almost half (49 per cent) plan to increase their direct investment in private companies over the next 12 months.
- Singapore remains both the most attractive destination for entrepreneur residency and the market entrepreneurs most want to do business with.
Technical note
Quantitative research was conducted by Ipsos in the UK on behalf of HSBC Private Bank. A total of 3,288 business owners or ‘entrepreneurs’ who chose to take in the survey (split 3,085 current business owners and 203 former business owners) were included in the quantitative research. The quantitative research consisted of a 20-minute online survey with participants from 17 markets across the globe: France (FR), Hong Kong (HK), India (IN), Indonesia (ID), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), Kuwait (KW), mainland China (CN), Malaysia (MY), Philippines (PH), Qatar (QT), Singapore (SG), Switzerland (CH), Taiwan (TW), Thailand (TH), the UK, the USA, and United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The survey was available in Arabic, Chinese (Hong Kong), English, Indonesian, Malay, Simplified Chinese, Swiss French, Swiss German, Tagalog, Thai and Traditional Chinese. The fieldwork was conducted between 1st April and 15th May 2026. Participation in the quantitative survey required participants audience to be aged 18 or over, 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.
The author(s)
- Katie Hawkins
Market Strategy and Understanding Director
Send an email - Ruth Awori
Market Strategy and Understanding Associate Director
Send an email
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruth-awori-8a9727167/
