Chinese AI Models - with Guenther Lomas

Your Guide to Chinese AI Models
How Chinese Open-Source LLMs Are Reshaping Global AI Opportunities

Featuring Guenther Lomas, Founder & CEO, Sigtica

As Chinese AI models evolve at lightning speed, open-source innovation is giving startups and enterprises a new range of options to explore. From DeepSeek to Baidu’s Ernie, the ecosystem is expanding rapidly - but how do you actually access these models, and how can you deploy them effectively in your business?

Join Startup Grind Hong Kong for an exclusive session with Guenther Lomas, Founder & CEO of Sigtica, as he breaks down how China’s AI ecosystem works, why open-source is accelerating innovation, and what it means for you.

📅 Date: Thursday, 16 October 2025⏰ Time: 7:00 PM HKT / 1:00 PM CET📍 Location: Online (Startup Grind Platform)

💡 What You’ll Learn

✅ How does Chinese AI models compare to ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini?
✅ Why Chinese AI companies open-source their models - and what that means for your business
✅ How to navigate access and payment challenges when working with Chinese AI ecosystems
✅ How to empower China-based teams with the right AI tools and workflows... and, how to get started if you want to test the models yourself

🚀 Don’t Miss Out! Secure your spot now!

🎤 Meet the Speaker

Guenther Lomas is a technology founder and quantitative social scientist working at the intersection of academic research and applied artificial intelligence. With doctoral-level training from the University of Toronto, Guenther transitioned from analyzing structured survey data to solving complex unstructured data challenges across sectors including finance, law, and cultural heritage.

This work led him to found Sigtica, a consultancy that builds and deploys AI-powered data pipelines capable of transforming millions of pages of complex documents into structured, actionable intelligence.

Recognized as an expert in this field, Guenther has delivered guest lectures at Harvard University, the University of Toronto, and HKUST, establishing himself as a leading voice in applied AI for data transformation and knowledge systems.

🏢 About Sigtica

Sigtica is a global technology consultancy specializing in transforming raw, unstructured information into strategic, analysis-ready data assets for clients worldwide.

Operating under the principle “Complexity, Codified,” Sigtica delivers end-to-end AI solutions that convert millions of complex documents into structured, machine-readable formats.

Powered by Sigtica Labs, its proprietary technologies — including Gaia, an AI-assisted data labeling platform, and Vulcan, an MLOps system for executing large-scale data extraction pipelines — enable enterprises to turn data overload into insight.

Sigtica’s high-impact projects include:

⦁ Creating the world’s first structured dataset from classical Chinese genealogies
⦁ Modernizing the Database of Dated Medieval English Charters (DEEDS)
⦁ Transforming over 60,000 Canadian collective bargaining agreements into a searchable, clause-level database

Agenda

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Speaker

Guenther Lomas - Sigtica (Founder & CEO)

Guenther Lomas is a technology founder and quantitative social scientist working at the intersection of academic research and applied artificial intelligence. With doctoral-level training from the University of Toronto, Guenther transitioned from analyzing structured survey data to solving complex unstructured data challenges across sectors including finance, law, and cultural heritage.
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Hosted By

Jens Wernborg, Director

Over 25 years of experience doing business with companies in Hong Kong, China and India across a wide range of industries.

Have worked with companies to successfully increase sales, save costs through purchasing and outsourcing, establish local presences, recruit and train staff and use digitalization to improve their productivity.

Always looking for ways to streamline and make businesses more efficient using digital tools and services. Knows how to get things done.

Margaret Leung, Co-Director

Margaret is a seasoned Business Consultant and Project/Event Manager who helps foreign companies, both large and small, develop new business and expand in Hong Kong and Greater China. She also has over 20 years of experience in curating and managing events such as seminars, exhibitions, and official-cum-business delegations across multiple industries. This involves working closely with government officials, C-level executives, and collaborating with project team members from different countries and cultures.

Since joining the Startup Grind team in October 2017, Margaret has been deeply inspired by the dynamic energy of the startup ecosystem. She is passionate about community building and fostering meaningful connections among entrepreneurs and professionals.

Amrit Sethi, Startup Grind Moderator

Guest moderator Startup Grind Hong Kong.

Over 30 years of experience helping clients explore the world and make travel stress free.

Individual and corporate travel. Specialist groups, cruises, tours, worldwide hotels, sightseeing, sport competitions. Visa services in Hong Kong.

I combine my teams expertise with a personal touch to ensure that your travel plans meet your needs and wishes while eliminating all the hassle.

Marin Magré, Ambassador

A Frenchman who grew up in Poland, studied in Hong Kong and Taiwan, and started a coffee business in Guatemala before deciding to go back to Hong Kong to be closer to the world of Tech and AI.
My strengths are my international and broad vision combined with a keen sense for operational detail, my fearless go-getter attitude and my attraction to building mutually beneficial relationships.
Excited to be part of the SG community to learn and grow alongside inspiring and innovating people seeking to make a positive impact!

Keith Engine, Mentor

Life is too short to... I love to explore new things - globetrotter, bookworm, and you can see me in most of the startup events in Hong Kong (and beyond) - hunt me! Besides Startup Grind, I was the organizer of Startup Weekend and AngelHack. Some topics can get my immediate attention: emerging technologies, youth entrepreneurship, corporate innovation, startup ecosystem in Asia Pacific. I'm approachable, so, feel free to drop me a message on LinkedIn!

Startup Grind is a global startup community designed to educate, inspire, and connect entrepreneurs. We host monthly events in more than 600 cities and 125+ countries featuring successful local founders, innovators, educators and investors who share personal stories and lessons learned on the road to building great companies. Our monthly fireside chat interviews, startup mixers and annual conferences provide ample opportunities to connect with amazing startups and the people behind them, tap into a strong support network, form meaningful connections and gain inspiration for the startup journey ahead. For more information visit StartupGrind.com or follow us on twitter @StartupGrind.

Complete your event RSVP here: https://www.startupgrind.com/events/details/startup-grind-hong-kong-presents-chinese-ai-models-with-guenther-lomas/.