Global Entrepreneur Report 2025

What’s on the mind of leading entrepreneurs around the globe?

This is the first UBS report which has actively surveyed the opinions of entrepreneurs in our client base and our Industry Leader Network. It distills the views of 156 entrepreneurs across the full range of sectors and 26 markets across all regions. Their businesses account for USD 19.1 billion in combined annual revenue, which equates to an average of USD 123 million each.

The report covers a wide range of key themes that may shape the growth of their industries and their personal wealth:

In which areas do entrepreneurs expect to invest?
What are entrepreneurs’ top concerns?
What technologies offer the biggest commercial opportunity?
What are the emerging trends in sustainability and workforce development?
How do entrepreneurs tackle succession?

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My bankable assets

EUR 2 million to EUR 50 million
EUR 50 million +
I am not considering investing
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Executive summary

Investing in people while capturing AI’s potential

Key findings

Our entrepreneurs anticipate increased investment in their industries over 12 months and more significant investment over five years.
In the coming year they expect investment in personnel and strategic acquisitions/partnerships.
They see AI as the technology with the greatest potential, and expect it will deliver higher productivity/throughput and other benefits over five years, seemingly augmenting rather than replacing employees.

Person wearing a virtual reality headset

Accumulating private wealth not a priority

Key findings

Our survey highlights what seems a common characteristic among entrepreneurs – many have not prioritized building their private wealth to its full potential, perhaps focusing on reinvesting in their business instead.
Our entrepreneurs also recognize that growing a business and managing investments require entirely different skillsets, with most acknowledging the importance of expert investment guidance.

Seeking external guidance for business exit

Key findings

When selling their business, over half of the entrepreneurs we surveyed would seek external advice from a banker – whether a client advisor, financial/wealth advisor or investment banker. Nearly as many would turn to independent counsel such as a lawyer or tax advisor.
When it comes to governance, more than half believe businesses in their industry have a succession plan in place for the senior leadership team/employees.

A woman with a phone stands on balcony of the high rise building

Political instability, taxes and geopolitics main concerns

Key findings

In our survey, entrepreneurs highlighted their chief macro concerns for their industries as being political instability and/or uncertainty, higher taxes and/or a major geopolitical conflict.
When thinking about the business-specific challenges their industries face, the greatest number of entrepreneurs see changing regulations and compliance requirements as a difficulty, with more than a third viewing cybersecurity as a threat.