At the 2026 edition of Credit Expo Belgium, Trends Business Information and VUB-UGent spin-off Sentometrics were named winners of the 7th IvKM Credit Management Innovation Award.
The project, which originated from joint research at VUB and UGent, was recognised for its AI Media Scan. The tool uses artificial intelligence to link real-time news sentiment to Belgian company data, providing credit analysts with a high-tech "early warning system" for financial risk.
This innovation replaces manual news monitoring with automated, scalable daily updates for financial professionals.
Photo: Winners Ann Marcelle (Trends Business Information) and Kris Boudt (Sentometrics) with the jury.