Brand Engagement Network (NASDAQ: BNAI) (“BEN”), a provider of secure, governed conversational AI solutions for regulated industries, has announced the finalization of a strategic partnership with Valio Technologies. The partnership establishes an exclusive AI licensing framework for government and commercial markets across Africa, anchored by a $2.05 million preferred equity contribution recognized as intellectual property licensing revenue. Under the agreement, BEN will hold a 25% common equity stake and a board seat in a newly formed South Africa-based entity, receive a 35% revenue share across software, SaaS, services, and subscriptions, and grant an exclusive, perpetual license with a right of first refusal for African markets.
The partnership also includes a memorandum of understanding with Nelson Mandela University to deploy a regulated, institution-approved AI pilot focused on student wellbeing. This pilot will utilize BEN’s proprietary Engagement Language Model (ELM) and retrieval-augmented generation technologies within a secure, closed-loop environment aligned with data sovereignty and governance requirements. The move underscores BEN’s commitment to expanding its footprint in regulated and high-impact industries, leveraging its enterprise-grade AI solutions to modernize operations and improve decision-making.
For more details on the partnership, visit the full press release at https://ibn.fm/9diIU. This announcement highlights the growing importance of AI in emerging markets and the strategic value of partnerships that combine technology with local expertise.
