Technology leaders, investors, entrepreneurs and ecosystem players from across Asia gathered in Bangkok on Thursday for TechNode AI Networking Night: The Bangkok AI Soirée, held as part of Techsauce Global Summit 2026 Innovation Week.
Co-hosted by StartmeupHK and Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK), with BEYOND Expo as the strategic partner, the event was held at Modena by Fraser, Bangkok.
The evening brought together members of the regional technology and startup ecosystem for networking, knowledge exchange and discussions around artificial intelligence and cross-border opportunities.
The event opened with registration and networking, followed by an opening address by Dr. Lu Gang, Founder and CEO of TechNode Group. He shared about upcoming events across Asia and the US in a bid to connect different tech ecosystems.
Hong Kong as a regional tech hub
The evening continued with a keynote by Jayne Chan, Head of Startups at Invest Hong Kong, on “Hong Kong as the Global AI & Tech Hub for Regional Expansion.”
Chan shared insights into Hong Kong’s technology ecosystem and its role in supporting startups and technology companies looking to expand into regional and international markets.
AI Without Borders
A panel discussion, also titled “AI Without Borders: Building the Next Wave of Innovation Across APAC,” brought together speakers from the technology, financial services, investment and startup sectors.
The panel featured:
- Maryann Tseng, Chief Strategy Officer & Vice-President, Phancy Group
- Manat Lertpeetipat, CTO, FINNOMENA
- Cindy Chow, Executive Director & CEO, Alibaba Hong Kong Entrepreneurs Fund
- Jayne Chan, Head of Startups at Invest Hong Kong
The discussion, moderated by Yimie Yong, Deputy Editor and Media Strategist at TNGlobal, covered AI innovation, business growth and opportunities for companies expanding across APAC.
The speakers also shared perspectives on their definitions of “borderless”, investment, talent and market access as AI companies scale across different markets, among others.
Connecting the APAC ecosystem
Beyond the formal program, the event provided an opportunity for guests to connect with founders, investors, corporate leaders and technology professionals from different parts of the region.
The informal networking sessions allowed participants to exchange ideas, discuss potential collaborations and build connections across the APAC technology ecosystem.
Held alongside Techsauce Global Summit 2026 Innovation Week, the event highlighted the growing interest in AI and the importance of connecting technology communities across the region.
The event concluded with continued networking among guests, providing a platform for conversations and potential collaborations to continue beyond the event.
