The rise of the borderless
Multipreneur
Diversified, borderless and curious
We know that today’s multipreneur is many things: an inspiring business leader, an insightful creator, a hypermobile global resident, a diversified asset holder and a legacy leaver. They operate across time zones and borders, always thinking about new projects or global business opportunities, and driven by curiosity and a desire for progress, rather than simply money.
In a world that has changed beyond recognition over the past two years, what does this mean for the rising number of multipreneurs when it comes to investment, lifestyle and legacy decisions?
Explore the trends and behaviours that will impact and alter the entrepreneurial landscape over the next generation.
the
legacy leaver
This alone should start prompting multipreneurs to think about their own plans, perhaps initiate some tough conversations, and look to protect their businesses while also investing in a better future for generations to come.
the
legacy leaver
Business is usually personal and, when it comes to leaving a mark, there is a focus on legacies that extend beyond wealth transition to include the creation of a sustained reputation and sustainable impact. A growing demographic of elite Baby Boomers have high expectations of their millennial heirs, who collectively stand to inherit
$30tn
in the US alone over the next 20 years. How can you give back without giving it all away?
the
legacy leaver
Taxes, inflation, natural dilution of assets among children and partners, and poor investment decisions are some of the reasons for such losses, but most damaging to a family’s fortune can be a lack of foresight and stewardship for the future when it comes to succession planning.
the
legacy leaver
and the state in which the legacy leaver wants future generations to inherit it. Conscience and performance are no longer strangers; investing sustainably represents a higher share of portfolios and assets for multipreneurs and has become a must-have rather than just nice. Indeed a PWC study suggested that 79 per cent of family businesses in China are prioritising sustainable business practices versus 23 per cent in the US.
the
legacy leaver
This alone should start prompting multipreneurs to think about their own plans, perhaps initiate some tough conversations, and look to protect their businesses while also investing in a better future for generations to come.
the
legacy leaver
Business is usually personal and, when it comes to leaving a mark, there is a focus on legacies that extend beyond wealth transition to include the creation of a sustained reputation and sustainable impact. A growing demographic of elite Baby Boomers have high expectations of their millennial heirs, who collectively stand to inherit
$30tn
in the US alone over the next 20 years. How can you give back without giving it all away?
the
legacy leaver
the
Business Leader
and insightful creator
This shows what can be done with the right support and insights, and it’s a good way to fund fledging businesses with potential or passion projects that can make a difference.
the
Business Leader
and insightful creator
As well as being big investors, most borderless multipreneurs are active business leaders and originators, always looking for the next project or big thing to get excited about. Many are advising or leading global teams, yet also tend to have good instincts when it comes to spotting entrepreneurial potential and, after one or two successes, they can be willing to back ideas – their own and others’ – with increasing confidence and astute judgement.
This often leads to interests in multiple entrepreneurial endeavours, with varying levels of active involvement
across their portfolio.
How can you juggle a number of projects without dropping the ball?
the
Business Leader
and insightful creator
Elon Musk is reportedly invested in 19 companies, and Jeff Bezos owns 15 via Amazon, as well as having three ways in which he invests in more than 40 other ventures;
his VC company, Bezos Expeditions, has interests in 16, and his own personal investments number an additional five.
the
Business Leader
and insightful creator
Active in philanthropy and mentorship and a much-garlanded academic in the field of mechanical engineering, Ann Marie Sastry founded Amesite, a Michigan-based AI software firm focused on improving educational outcomes, in 2017; her previous startup, the innovative battery company Sakti3, was bought by Dyson in 2015
for $90m.
the
Business Leader
and insightful creator
This shows what can be done with the right support and insights, and it’s a good way to fund fledging businesses with potential or passion projects that can make a difference.
the
Business Leader
and insightful creator
As well as being big investors, most borderless multipreneurs are active business leaders and originators, always looking for the next project or big thing to get excited about. Many are advising or leading global teams, yet also tend to have good instincts when it comes to spotting entrepreneurial potential and, after one or two successes, they can be willing to back ideas – their own and others’ – with increasing confidence and astute judgement.
This often leads to interests in multiple entrepreneurial endeavours, with varying levels of active involvement
across their portfolio.
How can you juggle a number of projects without dropping the ball?
the
Business Leader
and insightful creator
the hypermobile
GLOBAL RESIDENT
“Many multipreneurs are seeking to establish and grow in multiple countries,
and are selecting a trusted partner with a global approach, who speak the language and truly understand the market.“
Sidney Wang, HSBC’s Head of International Connectivity
the hypermobile
GLOBAL RESIDENT
Borderless multipreneurs are true global citizens, living wherever they choose, with a greater ability than ever to work remotely and travel between multiple
Roaming between continents can traditionally necessitate a substantial personal interest in property, and often results in ownership of more than three homes across the world.
the hypermobile
GLOBAL RESIDENT
But where to go? What drives the decision to pick a destination? Different countries vary in their capacity to provide a supportive entrepreneurial ecosystem, so becoming a global business “resident” means taking advantage of the diverse attitudes, resources and infrastructure of different countries and continents.
on the global entrepreneurship index, all offering opportunities for a growing enterprise or established business set-up.
the hypermobile
GLOBAL RESIDENT
according to estate agency group Knight Frank. The most expensive residential property market in 2020 was Hong Kong, with Shanghai, Shenzhen and Beijing all in the top 10, suggesting these are the places to watch as economic opportunities follow.
the hypermobile
GLOBAL RESIDENT
“Many multipreneurs are seeking to establish and grow in multiple countries,
and are selecting a trusted partner with a global approach, who speak the language and truly understand the market.“
Sidney Wang, HSBC’s Head of International Connectivity
the hypermobile
GLOBAL RESIDENT
Borderless multipreneurs are true global citizens, living wherever they choose, with a greater ability than ever to work remotely and travel between multiple
Roaming between continents can traditionally necessitate a substantial personal interest in property, and often results in ownership of more than three homes across the world.
the hypermobile
GLOBAL RESIDENT
the diversified
ASSET HOLDER
“The ability to finance companies privately without public listing, or de-listing in order to streamline and focus on longer term goals, makes the private markets world attractive within a diversified multi-asset portfolio.”
Henry Lee, HSBC Global Head of Discretionary Portfolio Management.
the diversified
ASSET HOLDER
This is likely to represent a blend of risk, passion and practicality, with some high-performing cash-generating assets, as well as passion-led alternatives, and practical passive funds aimed at wealth protection. How can you strike the right balance?
the diversified
ASSET HOLDER
If this profile seems familiar, you might be similar to those who bought
to reap the 731 per cent rise by the time it entered the S&P 500 on 21 December 2020, even if the carmaker lost nearly $7bn since 2003 and its revenues are propped up by selling carbon-emission tax credits to rival automakers, rather than depending on its own car sales.
the diversified
ASSET HOLDER
Fortune often favours the brave, but the multipreneur should know that, with riskier moves, diversification is required,
Alternative asset allocation is a satisfying yet sage idea; the alternative asset industry is expected to grow to $14tn by 2023, a 59 per cent increase from 2017.
the diversified
ASSET HOLDER
“The ability to finance companies privately without public listing, or de-listing in order to streamline and focus on longer term goals, makes the private markets world attractive within a diversified multi-asset portfolio.”
Henry Lee, HSBC Global Head of Discretionary Portfolio Management.
the diversified
ASSET HOLDER
This is likely to represent a blend of risk, passion and practicality, with some high-performing cash-generating assets, as well as passion-led alternatives, and practical passive funds aimed at wealth protection. How can you strike the right balance?
the diversified
ASSET HOLDER