Sovereign AI - with Chloé Maurel

Sovereign AI - Using AI Without Giving Away Your Data 
As organizations deploy AI agents and automation tools, many unknowingly give away their most valuable asset: their data. 

Cloud-based AI can feel fast and convenient - but it often comes with hidden trade-offs around privacy, long-term cost, compliance, and ownership.

Sovereign AI offers a different path. It gives companies the ability to adopt AI while keeping control of data, infrastructure, and risk.

We’re excited to welcome Chloé Maurel, Founder of Maites, to this Startup Grind Hong Kong & Zurich joint event. Chloé helps companies deploy on-premise and hybrid AI systems that allow teams to benefit from AI - without surrendering data control, security, or future flexibility.

In this session, Chloé will break down what Sovereign AI really means, why it’s becoming critical for companies of all sizes, and how AI (including AI agents) can be deployed securely, affordably, and fast — even if you don’t have a large IT team.

📅 Date: Thursday, 5 March
⏰ Time: 7:00 PM HKT & 12:00 PM CET
📍 Location: Online (Virtual Event)

🎤 Meet the Speaker

Chloé is the founder of Maites, a Hong Kong-based startup that helps organizations implement on-premise AI Agents. An advocate for “Sovereign AI,” Chloe leverages her background in the R&D-intensive manufacturing industry and as an AI Engineer to offer deep expertise in local AI, data privacy, and on-premise systems. She is on a mission to empower leaders with the data sovereignty, security, and affordability they need to thrive in the age of AI and beyond.

💡 What You’ll Learn

✅ What Sovereign AI is - and why it matters now
✅ Why data privacy matters even when regulation doesn’t force it
✅ How Sovereign AI can support sustainable company growth
✅ What is "Shadow AI" and how do you keep your organisation safe
✅ The trade-offs in deploying AI & AI agents  (cost, speed, regulation, security)

🎯 Who Should Attend?

🚀 Startup founders building AI-powered products or internal tools
📈 Business leaders responsible for AI, data, or security decisions
🏦 Companies operating in regulated or data-sensitive industries
🧠 Product, tech, and operations professionals exploring AI agents

🚀 Don't miss this opportunity to take control of your AI strategy.
📌 RSVP now to secure your spot

Agenda

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Speaker

Chloé Maurel - Maites (Founder)

Chloe is the founder of Maites, a Hong Kong-based startup that helps organizations implement on-premise AI Agents. An advocate for “Sovereign AI,” Chloe leverages her background in the R&D-intensive manufacturing industry and as an AI Engineer to offer deep expertise in local AI, data privacy, and on-premise systems. She is on a mission to empower leaders with the data sovereignty, securit…

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-sovereign-ai-with-chloe-maurel/.