HSBC Survey: Singapore Tops Entrepreneur Destinations as Direct Private Investing Grows

HSBC's Global Entrepreneurial Wealth Report 2026, published on 25 September, ranks Singapore as the most desirable place for wealthy entrepreneurs to live and to do business, and finds that about 49% of those holding alternative investments plan to increase direct private company investments within 12 months. Both findings matter to family offices weighing where to base themselves and how to deploy capital.

TL;DR

• The report, run for HSBC Private Bank by Ipsos, surveyed business owners in 17 markets between 1 April and 15 May 2026, and ranks Singapore first as an entrepreneur residency destination and preferred business market.
• Among entrepreneurs with alternative investments, about 49% plan to increase direct private company investments within 12 months.
• The respondents are wealthy business owners, not family offices, so the results are a proxy for family office sentiment, not a direct measure of it.

Who was surveyed in HSBC's Global Entrepreneurial Wealth Report 2026?

Ipsos lists 3,288 entrepreneurs, made up of 3,085 current business owners and 203 former owners, surveyed online for 20 minutes between 1 April and 15 May 2026. Respondents needed at least US$2 million in investable assets and US$20 million in total net worth, per Ipsos. Ipsos names 17 markets including Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, mainland China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand, while HSBC's own page refers to 15 markets, so the count differs between the two publishers.

Why does Singapore rank first for wealthy entrepreneurs?

Both HSBC and Ipsos say Singapore ranks as the top destination for entrepreneurs considering relocation and as the preferred business market. The public summaries do not publish the reasons respondents gave or the share who picked Singapore, so we cannot say why it leads or by how much. For a structured comparison of Singapore's and Hong Kong's family office regimes, see https://asiafamilyofficehub.com/singapore-vs-hong-kong-2026-navigating-tax-incentives-substance-requirements-and-capital-deployment-rules/ .

What does the survey say about direct private investing and AI?

Direct investing means buying stakes in private companies without going through a fund. HSBC and Ipsos report that about 49% of entrepreneurs who hold alternative investments plan to increase direct private company investments within 12 months. On AI, HSBC says every entrepreneur it spoke to is investing in AI, with businesses committing about 21% of turnover over the next year. WealthBriefing, reporting the same survey, puts combined planned AI spending at US$367 billion and says 44% expect AI to raise headcount over two years against 23% expecting a fall. Ipsos adds that trust in AI is 91% for personal use and 90% for business operations but 84% for investment management. For how family offices themselves are investing, see https://asiafamilyofficehub.com/apac-family-offices-lead-the-world-on-returns-and-direct-investing-citi-survey-finds/ .

What is not confirmed?

The public summaries do not break results down by market, so we cannot say how Singapore, Hong Kong or mainland China respondents answered on direct investing. The 49% applies only to entrepreneurs who already hold alternatives, and stated plans are not completed deals. Sample and market counts differ across the sources we opened (3,085 owners versus 3,288 entrepreneurs; 17 markets versus 15), so treat headline totals with care.

Why it matters for family offices in Asia

Many Asian family offices are built around an operating business, so entrepreneur sentiment is a useful signal of the capital and successor-generation questions they face. Ipsos says the report also examines succession planning among Asian family businesses, though the summary we could read gives no figures. Families comparing hubs may want to weigh Singapore's ranking alongside tax, substance and regulatory requirements, and take professional advice. This is context, not legal, tax or investment advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which market do wealthy entrepreneurs prefer, according to HSBC's 2026 report?

Singapore, which HSBC and Ipsos say ranks as the top destination for entrepreneurs considering relocation and their preferred business market.

How many entrepreneurs plan to invest directly in private companies?

About 49% of entrepreneurs who already hold alternative investments plan to increase direct private company investments within 12 months, per Ipsos and HSBC.

Does the HSBC survey cover family offices?

No. It surveys business owners with at least US$2 million in investable assets, so its findings are indirect for family offices.

Sources and Method

Checked on 29 September 2026. Ipsos, Global Entrepreneurial Wealth Report 2026: https://www.ipsos.com/en-uk/global-entrepreneurial-wealth-report-2026 . HSBC Private Bank: https://www.privatebanking.hsbc.com/entrepreneurs/global-entrepreneurial-wealth-report/ . WealthBriefing, 25 September 2026: https://www.wealthbriefing.com/html/article.php/wealthy-entrepreneurs-plan-$367-billion-ai-spend--hsbc-survey . Figures are as published in these summaries; the full report was not reviewed.