When it comes to dating, single male entrepreneurs are looking for attractiveness, honesty, kindness, openness and natural chemistry above all other factors. But single female entrepreneurs want markedly different things from their dates than their male counterparts, according to research into nearly 14,000 entrepreneurs worldwide from dating site, Elite Singles.

What makes a successful entrepreneur?

Entrepreneurs share similar traits, regardless of gender. When asked to describe their traits from a choice of more than 60 characteristics, both female and male entrepreneurs self-identify as faithful, loyal, and trusting. While nearly three-quarters of single entrepreneurs say they are ambitious, just a little more than a third actually consider themselves to be successful, highlighting the belief that entrepreneurs are always striving to be better when it comes to business.

What do entrepreneurs want from dating?

While when it comes to business, the traits entrepreneurs use to describe themselves differ very little between the genders, in dating it’s a different ball game. Female entrepreneurs differ markedly from their male counterparts when it comes to factors like age, education and income.

For female entrepreneurs, it is 27 per cent more important that their prospective date earns a similar income to them than it is for men. Single female entrepreneurs really want a date with substance. Being able to enjoy intellectual conversation with a date is 14 per cent more important a factor for women than it is for men; a love of art and a date’s moral values are both 8 per cent more significant for women than men.

“Entrepreneurs have a certain drive that pushes them to the top of their field. They are innovative and future–orientated. So, when it comes to finding a partner, they desire that special someone who has the loyalty, patience and kindness to support them in the career aspirations,” says Zoe Coetzee, EliteSingles in-house psychologist says. “As a result, they focus more on dating others with specific traits to make their relationship successful. Equally, valuing monogamy and openness also expresses their recognition that stability and communication are key to a happy relationship, as in a business.”

Women ranked communication as very important when it comes to success with a potential partner. Male entrepreneurs are more likely to be attracted to a date who’s interested in politics and outdoor pursuits than female entrepreneurs. Age and height also rank highly for single female entrepreneurs.

When it comes to choosing their other half, on the whole, entrepreneurs believe monogamy is essential for a relationship to work and want potential partners to share that belief. Unsurprisingly, the majority believe a good sense of humour is highly important.

“The characteristics it takes to be successful business builders don’t appear to differ significantly between men and women as, fundamentally, to be an entrepreneur does not depend on gender, but on character,” Coetzee adds.

“Here an apparent difference comes to the fore between genders, with women’s preference for a partner who won’t be intimated by their drive and success in the long run.”

How do entrepreneurs compare with the general public?

What single entrepreneurs want from love differs markedly from the general public. When asked to score key traits in potential partners, the general public considered “kindness” to be the most important factor.

Entrepreneurs, however, scored “attractive appearance” as the number one trait, with the advice to “look your best” after a breakup increasing in line with job seniority. But it’s not all about looks; entrepreneurs also want honesty, openness and chemistry from potential partners.

Entrepreneurs share a direct attitude to dating that is common among senior businesspeople. According to further research commissioned by EliteSingles in 2017, senior staff are the quickest to get back in the saddle after a breakup.

One in ten C-level executives want to be dating within a week of a break-up compared to the 7 per cent average. Nearly one third of directors want to be dating again within a month versus the 21 per cent average. Senior management is also the most direct when it comes to dating, from sending the first message online to going in for a first-date kiss.

Considering their busy schedules, it’s a wonder that Britain’s single entrepreneurs can make time to date, let alone form a wish list for love.