Red Bull teams up with Microsoft Azure Credits and AMD to give young innovators the AI-powered tools, mentorship and global platform needed to bring their ideas to life — and the wiiings to pitch them on the global stage in Silicon Valley.
Applications for Red Bull Basement 2026 are now open for students and founders in Albania.
Prize
The national winner will represent Albania at the World Final in Silicon Valley, USA, alongside participants from more than 40 countries, competing for USD 100,000 in equity-free funding and mentorship from international experts.
What is Red Bull Basement?
Red Bull Basement is a global in collaboration with Microsoft and AMD. The programme offers access to AI-powered tools that help participants move from idea to prototype, even without technical or coding experience, empowering a new generation of innovators to turn concepts into real-world solutions.
Phase 1 – Application: Where it all starts
The programme is open to Albanian residents aged 18 to 24, applying either individually or in teams of two.
From January 19 until 5 March one- or two-member teams from Albania can submit their application. If they already have an idea, they’ll answer a short set of questions about it, and if they’re still finding their direction, AI mentors can help them brainstorm an idea based on their interests. Once an applicant submits their idea, they will receive free access to Microsoft 365 Copilot to help refine their proof of concept before a local panel of industry leaders and experts selects the Top 5-10 ideas in the country. Those top teams will be asked to supply a short video showcasing who they are, and from there, a select [5/10] teams will be invited to pitch their idea in person on the National Final stage to the local judging panel.
Phase 2 – National Finals: Where ideas start to feel real
Where ideas start to feel real Teams selected for their National Final will be expected to arrive with a designed prototype. No prior coding experience is required. Applicants will be offered access to GitHub Student Developer Pack and Microsoft Azure credits, to help them describe what they want to build and rapidly turn ideas into working prototypes—even for peoplewithout a traditional technical background. They will also need to craft a two-minute pitch, which they will present to a panel of local industry leaders and experts. One team will be selected to represent Albania at the World Final.
Phase 3 – Development: Where ideas become reality
Taking place from [January 19 through March5, 2026], the Development Phase is a focused period designed to help national-winning teams turn their app prototype into a Minimum Viable Product (MVP). Teams unlock resources including an AMD AI laptop and additional Microsoft Azure credits to vibe code their prototype design into a functional MVP demo. They’ll also have access to world-class mentors and a global peer community, all to arrive at the World Final with the strongest possible app and a clear, confident story behind it.
Phase 4 – World Final: Where ideas step onto the global stage
From June 1-3, 2026, the national-winning teams will engage in a three-day immersive experience as they bring what they have built to life in Silicon Valley, pitching their MVP to a panel of global judges, venture capitalists, investors and industry leaders. Along the way, they’ll have the chance to gain global visibility and exposure as they access expert mentoring and hands-on feedback, storytelling training, and networking with founders, investors and partners. It all culminates with the announcement of the global winner of Red Bull Basement 2026.
Applications close on March 5, 2026. Apply now at:
https://www.redbull.com/al-sq/events/red-bull-basement-albania
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