About Us

The internet was meant to provide us the digital freedom to connect, share and collectively benefit. But somewhere along the way, it started working more for global platforms than for people. The founders of Valued believed there had to be a better way.

We realised that the business model was broken, our over dependency upon digital advertising drives questionable behaviour which causes social and economic harm. A better way requires an alternative to digital advertising.

Valued

A better way to use the internet

If no one owns the internet, why do tech giants control how we use it?

In the millennia before advertising, there was word of mouth. What if we could digitise word of mouth – something we already trust – and make it faster, trackable, and rewarding?

Valued helps businesses turn happy customers into advocates, and lets customers share in the value they create. No middlemen or data exploitation. Just a fairer, more effective way to grow. With Valued, the internet becomes a tool for connection – not control. A way that enables businesses to grow by rewarding customer referrals.

Meet Our Team

Tony is a creative problem solver who has delivered large-scale transformational change to local and multi-national organisations including IBM, WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff, Minter Ellison and Norton Rose Fulbright.

As founder of Valued, Tony's mission is to build a global business media platform that empowers people, businesses and charities with digital freedom, data privacy and shared value.

Tony Brennan

CO-FOUNDER

Simon is a dynamic leader with a broad range of international and local experience in Sales Leadership and Large Scale IT business transformation. A strong and engaging leadership style with a strategic approach to drive demonstrable results.

With 25 year's experience at IBM he has successfully managed large and diverse global teams across Australia, Asia and Europe.

Simon Balout

CO-FOUNDER

Brian has been the establishment chair of several start-ups including the healthcare property REIT Calan Healthcare Properties (NZX listed).

He is an experienced adivsor to Chairs, NED, CEOs, C-suite executives, Partners in professional services firms in Australia, New Zealand, the USA, and UK.

Brian is a company director specialist in developing strategic and business planning processes for organisations seeking high growth opportunities.

Brian Freestone

CHAIR & INVESTOR

The Valued Story

There had to be a better way.

It started with an expensive quote for a digital marketing campaign that promised reach but not results. Like many small businesses, we faced a choice: pay big tech to spray ads at strangers or miss out on digital growth.

The internet was meant to offer freedom to connect and share with others. But over time, digital platforms that profit from our data started to take over. These intermediaries turn our time and data into revenue, and share little of the value to the people and communities who create it.

We thought about it - what if we could flip the model?

That was the breakthrough!

What if businesses and customers could connect directly, without middlemen? What if word of mouth, something we already trust, could be digitised, tracked, and shared at scale?

EFFECTIVE, because we trust recommendations from people we know - not ads.

Valued was built as a Business Media Platform - a new kind of digital service, like power or water. Paid for by businesses, free for customers. Instead of ads, it uses digital word of mouth to drive real connections and results. Valued tracks introductions and referrals, enabling businesses to reward and incentivise customers that generate leads and sales for them.

Beneath it all is a shared value model, where technology helps local communities thrive. Valued keeps the economic benefit in local hands and offers new ways to support social purpose.

With Valued, the internet becomes a tool for shared growth - clear, fair, and human.

Together, we can make the internet better for everyone!

This is more than a platform. It's a shift in how we connect, grow, and and share value.

EFFICIENT, because businesses only pay for results, not clicks.

EQUITABLE, because businesses and their customers share in the value they create together.

There had to be a better way.

We thought about it – what if we could flip the model?

What if businesses and customers could connect directly, without middlemen? What if word of mouth, something we already trust, could be digitised, tracked, and shared at scale?

That was the breakthrough.

Valued was built as a Business Media Platform – a new kind of digital service, like power or water. Paid for by businesses, free for customers. Instead of ads, it uses digital word of mouth to drive real connections and results. Valued tracks introductions and referrals, enabling businesses to reward and incentivise customers that generate leads and sales for them.

EFFICIENT, because businesses only pay for results, not clicks.

EFFECTIVE, because we trust recommendations from people we know – not ads.

EQUITABLE, because businesses and their customers share in the value they create together.

Beneath it all is a shared value model, where technology helps local communities thrive. Valued keeps the economic benefit in local hands and offers new ways to support social purpose.

With Valued, the internet becomes a tool for shared growth – clear, fair, and human.

This is more than a platform. It’s a shift in how we connect, grow, and share value.

Together, we can make the internet better for everyone!