Automax.ai is modernizing the property valuation process by improving the experience of homeowners, lending institutions, and appraisers.
Charlotte, North Carolina, November 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The leading online financial services marketplace in the United States, LendingTree, Inc (Nasdaq: TREE), announced that the company hosted its annual LendingTree Mortgage Summit in Charlotte, North Carolina, this week. The summit brought together top lending institutions, industry experts, and financial technology innovators to assess market prospects and the ever-evolving mortgage industry. During the event, Automax.ai was recognized as the winner of the 2026 LendingTree Innovation Challenge for its platform, which is driven by artificial intelligence and aims to modernize the property valuation process.
A total of 9 fintech companies participated in this year's Innovation Challenge, with each company presenting a 7-minute pitch to industry judges and summit attendees. The participants showcased innovative solutions aimed at improving the mortgage experience, enhancing operational efficiency, and addressing the challenges faced by lending institutions and borrowers. As a native AI property valuation platform, Automax.ai stood out for its approach to simplifying what is traditionally a time-consuming mortgage process.
In the presentation by founder and CEO Humza Ahmed, Automax.ai demonstrated how their technology combines digital property inspections, 3D modeling, and artificial intelligence to streamline the valuation process from start to finish. The platform does not rely solely on traditional on-site inspections; instead, it allows certified data collectors or homeowners to conduct video inspections of the properties, capturing over 800 data points that include details about the condition and quality of floors, ceilings, and other property features.
This information will be used to generate detailed 3D models for review and verification by appraisers. Depending on loan eligibility and applicable requirements, this process may support exemptions from valuation, or allow appraisers to use a complete set of AI tools (identified by Automax.ai) to complete the valuation report.
The platform also provides loan institutions, underwriters, and processors with greater visibility into the status of the valuation process. Automax.ai indicates that its end-to-end solution can reduce the average valuation turnaround time to 1 to 3 days and issue reports within 24 hours after the inspection is completed. The company also claims that compared to traditional valuations, its solution can save approximately $50 to $100, with the potential to reduce costs and delays in the home purchasing process.
Entrants to the Innovation Challenge are evaluated by judges and audiences based on six criteria: improvement in conversion rates and loan initiation volume, implementation capability, market relevance, product quality and UI / UX, as well as presentation quality and sales performance. The judging panel includes Armed Forces Bank and Academy Bank, Chief Marketing Officers; Jessica Gardner, Senior Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer; Erin Dee; and Envoy Mortgage, Executive Chairman.
LendingTree Sales Director Will Adams stated: "This year's Innovation Challenge showcased the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit that drives the mortgage industry forward. Nine participating companies presented compelling solutions to address some of the current challenges faced by lending institutions." Automax.ai stood out with its practical approach to solving key aspects of the mortgage process; its technology has the potential to reduce costs, speed up timelines, and improve the experience for lending institutions, borrowers, and appraisers.
LendingTree indicates that through initiatives such as innovation challenges, the company is connecting industry leaders with emerging innovators, highlighting solutions that can help lending institutions operate more efficiently while creating a simpler and more transparent experience for consumers. Automax.ai to receive this recognition reflects that AI-driven technologies have growing opportunities in addressing long-standing industry challenges and bringing tangible improvements throughout the mortgage process.
Regarding LendingTree, Inc.
LendingTree, Inc is the parent company of several companies owned by LendingTree, LLC, as well as LendingTree and LLC (collectively referred to as “LendingTree” or “the Company”).
LendingTree is one of the largest and most experienced online financial platforms in the United States, dedicated to empowering consumers to achieve financial success. LendingTree provides customers with high-quality quotes for loans, credit cards, insurance, and other products through a network of approximately 770 financial partners. Since its establishment, LendingTree has helped millions of customers obtain financing, save money, and improve their financial and credit situations throughout their personal financial journeys. With a range of innovative products, tools, and personalized financial advice, LendingTree assists customers in achieving results in their daily financial management.
LendingTree, Inc. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. For more information, please visit www.lendingtree.com.
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