diff --git a/core/src/main/scala/cats/data/Validated.scala b/core/src/main/scala/cats/data/Validated.scala
index 026434641a3..d57ffd1d5da 100644
--- a/core/src/main/scala/cats/data/Validated.scala
+++ b/core/src/main/scala/cats/data/Validated.scala
@@ -401,6 +401,8 @@ private[data] trait ValidatedFunctions {
 
   def valid[A, B](b: B): Validated[A, B] = Validated.Valid(b)
 
+  def validNel[A, B](b: B): ValidatedNel[A, B] = Validated.Valid(b)
+
   /**
    * Evaluates the specified block, catching exceptions of the specified type and returning them on the invalid side of
    * the resulting `Validated`. Uncaught exceptions are propagated.