Award-winning AI franchise: Valenta recognised as one of the Most Innovative Franchises of 2026

Valenta has been named by US franchise platform 1851 Franchise as one of the Most Innovative Franchises of 2026. It is a recognition we are proud of, particularly because it is not only about our technology. It also recognises the way we approach entrepreneurship.

The idea behind the model is quite simple. A Managing Partner builds their own local business and client portfolio without having to build an entire technology company themselves. The expertise, technology and delivery are supported by Valenta's international organisation. This allows the entrepreneur to focus primarily on clients, relationships and growth.

You don't need to be an AI specialist

Many mid-sized companies now understand that AI offers real opportunities, but they do not always know where to start. And they do not necessarily need another new tool. What they really want is to solve a specific business problem.

Take a finance department where employees spend hours every month collecting data from different systems and Excel files just to produce one report. This is exactly the kind of process a Managing Partner looks at together with the client, identifying where time is being lost and whether AI-Powered Intelligent Automation could provide a solution.

The Managing Partner does not need to program that solution. Valenta's technical specialists take care of the development and implementation. This is why Managing Partners often come from sales, business development, consulting, operations or management. Their experience with businesses and people is at least as important as their interest in technology.

Building a business that can grow with you

For me, this is an important difference compared with traditional consulting. As an independent consultant, you are often mainly selling your own time. At Valenta, the model is also built around recurring revenue.

When a client uses a Digital Assistant to handle a recurring business process, for example, this creates a monthly revenue stream. If that same client then identifies another two or three processes that can be automated, the relationship can continue to grow without the Managing Partner having to build their own technical team.

Sven De Groodt, Managing Director and Valenta franchisee for Benelux:"I see this award primarily as recognition of the combination of AI and entrepreneurship. As a Managing Partner, you build your own client portfolio and business, but you are not doing it alone. You can rely on the technology, delivery and support of a larger international organisation. For me, that makes it a strong model for experienced professionals who want to build their own business in a rapidly changing market, without having to become technology specialists themselves."

That is perhaps the most interesting part of this recognition. Innovation in franchising does not only have to be about a new product. It can also be about a different way of building a business.