SME & Startup AI Governance Framework

The practical, certifiable solution for responsible, scalable, and trusted AI in startups and SMEs.

The next generation of AI is here—autonomous, self-improving, and agentic systems are no longer just for Big Tech. Over 90% of startups and SMEs now use AI-driven solutions in their core business, with agentic logic entering the mainstream. But with new opportunities come new risks: emergent behaviors, dynamic goal changes, unpredictable interactions, and rising regulatory expectations (EU AI Act, ISO/IEC 42001).

Classic compliance is not enough. Startups and SMEs need operational, certifiable governance—right-sized for speed and scale.

Built on five global pillars: Trust, Governance, Risk, Compliance, and measurable Culture & Inclusion – not theory, but practical, certifiable action for SMEs and startups.

  • Purpose-built for SME reality:
    No red tape, no consultancy overhead. Actionable, modular tools that meet global standards without slowing you down.
  • Agentic AI Readiness:
    Tools and templates for goal alignment, oversight, escalation logic, and agentic risk management.
  • Lean & Scalable:
    Use what you need—start small, expand as you grow, integrate with your workflows.
  • Certification Pathway:
    Stepwise journey from self-assessment to the AIGN Engagement Certificate and Trust Label.
  • Stakeholder Trust & Inclusion:
    Practical channels for transparent feedback, complaints, and stakeholder engagement—built in, not bolted on.
  • Global Interoperability:
    Fully mapped to EU AI Act, ISO/IEC 42001, GDPR, and ready for local adaptations.
  • Peer Community:
    Access the AIGN global network for benchmarking, peer review, and live support.
SME & Startup AI Governance Framework
  • Startup founders and SME leaders who deploy or build agentic or autonomous AI systems
  • Product teams, CTOs, and compliance leads in fast-scaling companies
  • Investors and partners demanding proof of trustworthy, responsible AI
  • Any SME or startup needing access to regulated markets, B2B deals, or public contracts

If your AI makes autonomous decisions, interacts with users or other systems, or can adapt/go beyond simple rules—you need agentic governance.

Regulation is now global, and agentic AI is not a “future problem.” Startups and SMEs in every region face demands for explainability, redress, and accountability.
AIGN leverages global best practices and peer benchmarks to ensure your SME is future-proof, audit-ready, and trusted worldwide.

Step-by-step, scalable, founder-friendly:

  1. Trust Scan Lite:
    Quick self-assessment of agentic readiness, risk, and compliance.
  2. Agentic Risk & Goal Canvas:
    Map and define boundaries for agentic AI behavior, escalation, and oversight.
  3. Redline Canvas:
    Clarify “what your AI must never do”—on one page.
  4. Incident Response Playbook:
    Fast, practical guidance for handling incidents, drift, or unexpected AI behavior.
  5. Stakeholder Feedback & Redress:
    Simple, visible channels for user complaints, feedback, and transparency.
  6. Certification:
    Earn the AIGN Engagement Certificate and (as you grow) the Global Trust Label.
  7. Peer Learning & Support:
    Ongoing access to best practices, live community, and update service.
  • Minimal Audit Trail:
    Simple versioning and change logs—no compliance army needed.
  • Agentic Controls:
    Goal alignment, escalation logic, and kill-switch mechanisms made practical.
  • Data Governance:
    Templates for data provenance, copyright, and consent—legal certainty from day one.
  • Quick Risk Assessment:
    Identify bias, agentic drift, and compliance red flags in minutes.
  • Sector Add-Ons:
    HealthTech, EdTech, FinTech, and more: ready-to-use industry blueprints for agentic AI governance.
  • Fast-track compliance and trust signals for clients, partners, and regulators
  • Unlock B2B and public sector deals, even as a small team
  • Boost valuation and investment readiness with visible, auditable governance
  • Never face regulation or market entry alone—be part of a global SME community

Agentic AI is transforming every industry. Only SMEs and startups with real, certifiable governance will win trust and access markets.

AIGN delivers the only end-to-end, actionable framework and tool suite for agentic AI governance—built for the real world of startups and SMEs.


Discover the AIGN SME & Startup Agentic AI Governance Framework – explore, apply, and make agentic trust your competitive edge!

Contact us for , toolkit access, or custom proposal.

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All content, structures, frameworks, terminologies, and the layered governance architecture of AIGN OS – The AI Governance Operating System are the original intellectual creation of Patrick Upmann. AIGN OS and all its components – including but not limited to frameworks, toolchains, trust labels, indices, licensing models, and governance architectures – are protected under international copyright, trademark, and intellectual property law.

The AIGN OS concept and system have been officially published DOI-registered research paper as citable scientific work, thereby establishing prior art, scientific recognition, and enforceable authorship protection.Any unauthorized reproduction, adaptation, distribution, modification, or commercial/public use of AIGN OS – in whole or in part – without the express written consent of the rights holder is strictly prohibited and will result in legal enforcement under applicable international IP law.

© Patrick Upmann – All rights reserved.