Entrepreneurs around the world are demonstrating remarkable confidence in their business prospects and personal wealth, according to HSBC Private Bank’s Global Entrepreneurial Wealth Report 2025. Surveying 2,939 business owners across 15 markets during a period of notable economic uncertainty, the research reveals a cohort that is internationally minded, forward-looking, and technology-driven.

Technology at the Forefront

Technology is now firmly positioned at the heart of entrepreneurial growth strategies. First-generation entrepreneurs (58%) and Millennials (53%) are most likely to prioritise AI. Younger business leaders, often at the helm of companies founded in digital-first environments, are setting the pace for adoption. 62% of respondents identified AI and digital innovation as primary drivers of optimism. The UK (73%), US (70%) and China (69%) were most confident in technology’s role in shaping future growth.

“Tech is the reason why right now is the best time ever to be an entrepreneur. The world of work is changing, and entrepreneurs have technology to support them in ways they never did before.”

UK Business Owner

51% of entrepreneurs plan to invest in AI over the next year, placing it ahead of workforce growth (43%). This suggests technology is being treated not simply as an operational tool but as a growth engine with the potential to unlock new efficiencies and scale.

Confidence Built on Adaptability

The findings suggest that confidence levels remain high even in a challenging economic context. 50% of entrepreneurs expect significant improvements in personal wealth and 39% anticipate moderate gains. Business confidence is equally strong, with 54% describing themselves as very positive about their company’s prospects and 40% as fairly positive.

Regional variations are notable. The UK ranks highest, with 75% of entrepreneurs reporting strong business optimism, followed by Saudi Arabia (68%) and the UAE (65%). These figures imply that even against a backdrop of tariffs and trade uncertainty, entrepreneurs in key markets are positioning for expansion rather than contraction.

“Entrepreneurs are very aware of elevated market volatility, geopolitical tensions, and trade uncertainties, yet they remain optimistic, thanks to their adaptability and entrepreneurial spirit,”

Willem Sels, Global Chief Investment Officer, HSBC Private Bank.

When asked what underpins their wealth outlook, 52% pointed to business opportunities as the main driver. In markets such as the UK (65%), India (64%) and Singapore (60%), this confidence indicates entrepreneurs are seeing tangible openings in areas like healthcare, IT, and services.

Borders Become Gateways

International expansion is the second most popular strategic priority, behind AI. 49% of entrepreneurs say they are considering cross-border expansion in the next 12 months.

This is most prominent in Asia and the Middle East. In Indonesia, 68% are looking abroad, followed by Malaysia (65%), the UAE (60%) and Saudi Arabia (59%). These numbers highlight how internationalisation is being used as a deliberate growth strategy rather than a defensive one.

Singapore is a focal point. 31% of Indonesian entrepreneurs are considering relocating there, alongside significant numbers from Malaysia, Thailand, and Taiwan. Already, 29% of Asian entrepreneurs hold a secondary residence in Singapore. This indicates its role as a hub for entrepreneurial capital, connectivity, and wealth management is strengthening.

At the same time, established corridors linking Asia, the Gulf, and financial centres such as the UK, Switzerland, and the US remain robust. The pattern points to a more multipolar entrepreneurial ecosystem, where growth is increasingly tied to multiple regions rather than single domestic markets.

“Accelerating wealth generation is driving international mobility, we expect this trend to continue, creating new opportunities as entrepreneurs explore markets, cultures, and diversified portfolios.” Paul Fairfoull, Head of Ultra High Net Worth UK, HSBC Private Bank

Mobility Aligns with Strategy

Mobility is also shaping the entrepreneurial profile. 56% of entrepreneurs are multi-resident and 57% are considering additional residencies. The rationale is clear: 67% cite business expansion as a driver and 67% identify investment opportunities, compared with 63% who point to lifestyle.

In Malaysia, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, commercial considerations dominate relocation decisions. By contrast, in India, Thailand, and Indonesia, lifestyle carries greater weight. Across regions, however, the data indicates that entrepreneurs view mobility as a structural element of strategy, aligning personal location choices with business growth.

“One of the chief reasons businesses invest in technology is to increase efficiency, if this frees staff to focus on higher-value tasks and achieve them faster, productivity and profit margins rise. AI may simply turbo-charge this process. It’s little wonder entrepreneurs see it as a win-win.” 

Kirsty Moore, Head of High Net Worth UK, HSBC Private Bank

Resilience Redefined

While 40% of entrepreneurs cite market volatility and 36% highlight inflation as key risks, the overall picture is one of measured optimism. Entrepreneurs are not blind to global disruption, but they appear intent on harnessing it.

Wealth allocation patterns reinforce this stance. Property remains the most common asset class beyond primary residences, held by 52%. Private assets and equities follow at 46% each. Yet businesses themselves remain central, with 42% of entrepreneurs reinvesting directly into their companies.

Taken together, the data suggests entrepreneurs are redefining resilience in practical terms. Technology adoption, international expansion, and strategic mobility are not standalone tactics but interconnected levers. They enable diversification of markets, scaling of operations, and access to networks that mitigate risk while creating growth.

The Global Entrepreneurial Wealth Report 2025 implies that resilience is less about protection and more about positioning. Entrepreneurs are not only adapting to uncertainty but actively using it as a platform for advantage, shaping growth in an increasingly multipolar and competitive world.