UBS released its Global Entrepreneur Report 2026 on Wednesday, revealing that 63 percent of American entrepreneurs plan to exit their businesses, a figure that far outpaces peers in Europe at 38 percent and Asia-Pacific at 18 percent. The survey covered 215 entrepreneurs across 26 markets with a combined annual revenue of $34.3 billion, averaging $167 million per business. It is the most comprehensive look at exit intentions among elite founders published this year.
Globally, 32 percent of entrepreneurs are actively considering a business transition within the next five years. For entrepreneurs aged 65 and older, that figure climbs to 57 percent, underscoring how demographic pressure is accelerating exit planning across the startup community.
How US Entrepreneurs Plan to Exit in 2026
Among those planning to exit, 40 percent expect to sell to a strategic buyer within their industry, a path often motivated by the premium valuations that corporate synergies can support. Another 23 percent plan to transfer the business to the next generation, while 13 percent are targeting a sale to private equity. Just 6 percent envision an IPO or a merger as their exit vehicle.
For founders currently weighing their options, GreyJournal has outlined the essential steps for planning a startup exit strategy, covering everything from negotiating liquidation preferences to preparing for an acquisition. The convergence of the UBS data with those planning frameworks suggests that the window for exit activity is opening wider than it has in years.
A Personal Wealth Gap Is Driving the Exit Wave
A striking thread running through the UBS report is that many founders have prioritized business growth at the expense of their own financial security. Thirty-two percent of global entrepreneurs admit they have not built up personal wealth as much as they could have. Among US founders specifically, that figure rises to 47 percent.
“Entrepreneurs are not preparing for retrenchment. They’re preparing for reinvention,” said Benjamin Cavalli, Head of Strategic Clients and Global Connectivity at UBS Global Wealth Management. Among founders who do sell, 42 percent say their focus will shift to building personal wealth post-transaction. Additionally, 67 percent want to help heirs manage inherited wealth responsibly, and 61 percent are focused on tax-efficient asset transfers.
Optimism Remains High Despite Exit Plans
The exit wave does not signal a loss of confidence in entrepreneurship. Globally, 68 percent of entrepreneurs report optimism about their business prospects over the next 12 months, with Switzerland leading at 83 percent and Europe at 74 percent. In the United States, 94 percent of entrepreneurs anticipate expanding their workforce during the same period.
Artificial intelligence is the central driver of that optimism. Sixty-one percent of entrepreneurs globally view AI as their single greatest commercial opportunity, a figure that rises to 66 percent among businesses generating more than $100 million in annual revenue. Sixty-seven percent expect AI to deliver efficiency gains and automation benefits, though 46 percent also cite a shortage of skilled AI talent as a significant obstacle.
Macro Risks Cloud the Outlook
Despite the bullish hiring and AI outlook, founders are not dismissing the macro environment. Political uncertainty is the leading concern, cited by 42 percent of entrepreneurs for 2026 and 46 percent over the five-year horizon. Trade policy shifts worry 36 percent of respondents, and global recession risk concerns 35 percent.
International expansion remains on the agenda for nearly half of all those surveyed, with 45 percent considering relocating or expanding into another country. Access to new markets is the primary motivation, cited by 64 percent of those considering a move, followed by proximity to stakeholders at 30 percent and favorable regulatory environments at 25 percent. For founders navigating this environment, venture investors have also weighed in on strategies for thriving in a rapidly evolving landscape.
The full UBS Global Entrepreneur Report 2026 is available on the UBS website. Additional coverage was published by Fortune.
