Based on the voices of nearly 1,000 entrepreneurs and multi-generational families holding on average investable assets of more than $17 million and residing in 19 countries across Europe, Asia, the United States and the Middle East, this exclusive report gives a comprehensive view of their shifting attitude toward sustainable investing and their new impact priorities.  

KEY TAKE-AWAYS

INTEREST TOWARD SUSTAINABILITY AND PURPOSE-DRIVEN INVESTING HAS RISEN IN THE COVID-ERA

• For many, COVID-19 was a time of introspection and served as a catalyst for change. As a result, 63% of Entrepreneurs are more willing to consider sustainable investments than they were a year ago.
• Today, 58% Entrepreneurs say they hold some sustainable investments in their portfolios; an increase of almost 25% compared to 2019. Of those who currently have no exposure to sustainable investments, nearly three in five are more open to the idea.
• Boomerpreneurs (55 years and older) are twice as likely now to have exposure to sustainable investments, rising to 67% this year from 34% in 2019; and a similar pattern is seen among Ultrapreneurs (more than $25 million of investable assets), rising to 69% from 39% in 2019.
  
• Asia emerges as the standout story where the take-up of sustainable investments has jumped to 69% in 2021 from 39% in 2019.
  

NEW IMPACT PRIORITIES AND EXPECTATIONS TO TAP INTO GROWTH

• The resilience and financial performance of sustainable investments have changed Entrepreneurs views regarding expected returns. 57% of entrepreneurs now believe they can combine sustainable investments with performance, while they were 29% before the pandemic.
• Although climate action remains one of the top United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), it has been supplanted since the COVID-19 crisis by other goals, including health and wellbeing, and alleviating poverty and inequality. In Europe, access to clean energy and reducing global inequality are cited as the most important goals to pursue (29%).
  
• Half of Entrepreneurs now expect their wealth managers to 
  
  • give them advice on the sustainable investment portfolios. This rises to 60% in the US and 64% in Indonesia or Switzerland.
  • provide a rating system to help make sustainable investment selections.