Automax.ai Wins Innovation Challenge at LendingTree's 2026 Lender Summit

Automax.ai is modernizing the appraisal process by improving the experience for homeowners, lenders, and appraisers.

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Nov. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- LendingTree, Inc. (NASDAQ: TREE), the nation's leading online financial services marketplace, hosted the annual LendingTree Mortgage Summit this week at the Knight Theatre in Charlotte, N.C. bringing together top lenders, industry experts and fintech innovators to assess market outlook, and the evolving mortgage industry. During the event, Automax.ai was named the winner of the 2026 LendingTree Innovation Challenge for its AI-powered platform designed to modernize the property appraisal process.

Nine fintech companies competed in this year's Innovation Challenge, each delivering a seven-minute pitch to a panel of industry judges and Summit attendees. Participants showcased innovative solutions aimed at improving the mortgage experience, increasing operational efficiencies, and addressing challenges facing lenders and borrowers. Automax.ai, an AI-native property appraisal platform, stood out for its approach to simplifying a traditionally time-consuming part of the mortgage process.

Presented by founder and CEO Humza Ahmed, Automax.ai demonstrated how its technology combines digital property inspections, 3D modeling and artificial intelligence to streamline the appraisal process from start to finish. Rather than relying exclusively on traditional, in-person inspections, the platform enables a certified data collector or homeowner to conduct a guided video walkthrough of a property, capturing more than 800 data points, including details about the condition and quality of flooring, ceilings and other property features.

The information is used to generate a detailed 3D model that appraisers can review and verify. Depending on loan eligibility and applicable requirements, the process may support an appraisal waiver or allow an appraiser to use Automax.ai's suite of AI-powered tools to complete the appraisal report.

The platform also provides lenders, underwriters and processors with greater visibility into the status of an appraisal throughout the process. Automax.ai's end-to-end approach delivers average appraisal turnaround times of one to three days, with reports completed within 24 hours following inspection. The company also reports savings of approximately $50 to $100 compared with traditional appraisals, offering the potential to reduce costs and delays in the homebuying process.

Innovation challenge participants were evaluated by judges and audience members across six criteria: increased conversion and originations, ability to implement, market relevance, product quality & UI/UX, and demo quality and salesmanship. The judges panel included Jessica Gardner, CMO of Armed Forces Bank and Academy Bank; Erin Dee, SVP, Chief Innovation Officer at BankSouth Mortgage; and Chad Smith, CEO of Envoy Mortgage.

"This year's Innovation Challenge demonstrated the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit driving the mortgage industry forward," said Will Adams, Head of Sales at LendingTree. "All nine participating companies presented compelling solutions to some of the challenges lenders face today. Automax.ai stood out for its practical approach to addressing a critical part of the mortgage process, with technology that has the potential to reduce costs, accelerate timelines, and improve the experience for lenders, borrowers and appraisers."

Through initiatives like the Innovation Challenge, LendingTree is connecting industry leaders with emerging innovators, spotlighting solutions that help lenders operate more efficiently while creating a simpler, more transparent experience for consumers. Automax.ai's recognition reflects the growing opportunity for AI-powered technology to address longstanding industry challenges and deliver meaningful improvements throughout the mortgage journey.

About LendingTree, Inc.

LendingTree, Inc. is the parent of LendingTree, LLC and several companies owned by LendingTree, LLC (collectively, "LendingTree" or the "Company").

LendingTree is one of the nation's largest, most experienced online financial platforms, created to give consumers the power to win financially.  LendingTree provides customers with access to the best offers on loans, credit cards, insurance and more through its network of approximately 770 financial partners.  Since its founding, LendingTree has helped millions of customers obtain financing, save money, and improve their financial and credit health in their personal journeys. With a portfolio of innovative products and tools and personalized financial recommendations, LendingTree helps customers achieve everyday financial wins.

LendingTree, Inc. is headquartered in Charlotte, NC. For more information, please visit www.lendingtree.com.

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SOURCE LendingTree, Inc.