How HSBC helps an ex-Olympian champion embrace change with human insights in the AI era

Through her education start-up Arelyx, Yvette Kong passes on lessons to the next generation on building resilience, purpose and emotional strength, drawn from her professional swimming journey.

In an era where artificial intelligence feels inescapable, Yvette believes young people need more than technical proficiency. “Arelyx exists to prepare young people not just to compete in the AI era, but also to stay deeply human within it,” she says. “Our mission is to strengthen the mental, emotional, and ethical capacities that machines can’t replicate.”

Her team cultivates these skills through workshops on mental resilience, problem-solving and leadership. While often a secondary focus in most education systems, Yvette argues that these soft skills are essential for students to learn, grow, adapt, and thrive in the face of rapid technological change and mounting pressure to succeed.

“Achievement without meaning is fragile,” she says, reflecting on her years as a competitive swimmer, during which she represented Hong Kong at the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics. “Resilience isn’t about never failing, but about finding strength and meaning every time you do.”

Arelyx uses its own proprietary framework, REACT™️, which draws from clinical psychology and learning sciences to enhance human capacities needed to adapt and thrive in the AI era. This includes helping students to self-regulate under stress while striving for excellence. Piloted in at least three schools in Hong Kong, the workshops are more than one-offs: the Arelyx team collects pre- and post-programme data to measure student progress and keep the model evidence-based. The team is also developing AI technologies and digital tools to help educators interpret insights and integrate them into their own systems.

Among those watching her journey is Alan Wong, senior desk head of ultra-high-net-worth for Hong Kong, HSBC Private Bank “I can see how her dedication and vision help shape her approach to business,” says Alan, who has followed Yvette since her Olympic days and is inspired by her commitment to social impact.

To support more innovative ventures championing positive change, the global bank launched HSBC Innovation Banking in 2023 to provide tailored financing solutions, banking support and strategic guidance to founders. “We embrace a one-bank collaborative approach to support entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey. As their ventures expand, their personal wealth needs become increasingly complex,” Alan says.

The biggest challenge for Yvette in running her start-up is that it operates in “a grey zone”, as it is neither a charity nor a fully for-profit venture. “Social ventures often fall outside of traditional funding models. We’re asked to prove both measurable impact and commercial viability before either side is willing to bet on us,” the Gen.T Leader of Tomorrow explains.

Financial well-being means scaling her mission without compromising on purpose. “Beyond capital, what would make the biggest difference is financial and psychological safety,” Yvette says, pointing to programmes that combine funding with mentorship, mental health and financial literacy support. “That stability isn’t a luxury—it’s what allows us to serve others with clarity and courage.”

HSBC Private Bank specialises in providing tailored wealth management solutions that help entrepreneurs achieve both their business and personal wealth goals across geographies and generations, while fostering positive change in the communities that they serve. “Wealth management can play a critical role in diversifying their risk exposure from business ventures, giving them greater financial resilience and peace of mind,” Alan says. HSBC Private Bank was named Best Private Bank for Entrepreneurs in Asia at the PWM and The Banker, Global Private Banking Awards 2025 and Asian Private Banker Awards for Distinction 2025.

From peer networks that help founders navigate the emotional highs and lows to partners who prioritise social impact over short-term gains, Alan sees a global bank like HSBC as a powerful connector. “We connect entrepreneurs with the right people and ideas through our global network, be it peers, partners or opportunities,” he says. “Together, we make a real impact.”

By standing behind visionaries like Arelyx, HSBC Innovation Banking is empowering pioneering companies to shape the future.