[2] Frances is known for her commitment to working to improve the outcomes for the next generation through contexualising education delivery and content in the 21st century.

[3][4][5][6][7] Valintine was raised on a farm in Hāwera, Taranaki, and moved to Auckland's North Shore when she was about fourteen years old.

[20] In 2014 The Mind Lab won Best Engagement of Youth in ICT[21] at the NZ CIO Awards and Best Start-Up in Asia Pacific judged by Richard Branson and Steve Wozniak.

[26] and she was named one of the Top 50 EdTech Educators in the world[27] alongside people such as Salmon Khan and Satya Nitta.

[28] In 2016 her business The Mind Lab won the NZ CIO Award for best Engagement of Youth in ICT for the second time in three years.

[29] In the 2018 New Year Honours, Valintine was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to education and the technology sector.