Red Bull Basement 2026 Launches with a Strong AI Focus

Applications are open for Red Bull Basement 2026. The global innovation programme is focused on first-time founders and students. The World Final is set to take place in Silicon Valley. Do you have a great idea? If so, Red Bull wants to hear about it, with the Red Bull Basement initiative back for 2026. For those unfamilar with the initiative, Red Bull Basement is designed for first-time founders and students over the age of 18 to pitch their ideas for innoative products that can become real-world products. There are multiple phases of this global competition, with the first phase of applications now open to all. There also some notable prizes up for grabs for the winning ideas. “Red Bull Basement runs as a global incubator in collaboration with Microsoft and AMD, providing participants with access to AI tools that help move ideas from brainstorm to prototype. The South African national winner will be invited to the World Final in Silicon Valley, USA, where teams compete for USD 100,000 (around R1.6 million) in equity-free funding, while retaining full ownership of their idea, along with additional Microsoft Azure and Replit AI credits and mentorship from Red Bull Ventures,” the energy drink maker explained in a release to Hypertext. South Africa also has some recent history with the initiative, with local winners in 2024 heading to the global finals held in Tokyo, Japan. “Following the success of South Africa’s 2024 national champions, Ndzilo Fire Solution, who represented the country on the world stage with their AI-powered wildfire detection system, Red Bull Basement continues to make innovation more accessible. You don’t need a tech degree, a prototype or prior experience. You just need an idea and the drive to make it happen,” noted Red Bull. For those interested in the initiative, the different phases are as follows: Phase 1 – Application: Individuals or two-person teams submit an idea online. Applicants can refine existing ideas or use AI mentors to help shape new ones. Selected teams progress through local judging and video pitching. Phase 2 – National Finals: Finalists develop a basic prototype and deliver a short pitch to a panel of local industry leaders. One team is selected to represent South Africa at the World Final. Phase 3 – Development: National winners receive tools including an AMD AI laptop, Microsoft Azure credits and mentorship to build their Minimum Viable Product (MVP). Phase 4 – World Final: Teams travel to Silicon Valley for a three-day immersive experience, pitching their MVPs to global judges, investors and industry leaders, with one team crowned Global Winner. “The programme is open to anyone over 18 residing in South Africa. Applications may be submitted individually or in pairs, with participants from all fields welcome, including AI, sustainability, education, health and agriculture,” Red Bull concluded.