Following a highly competitive national final in Dubai, Dev Bhoda and Joshua Koshy have been selected to represent the UAE at the Red Bull Basement World Final in San Francisco, standing out among some of the emirate’s most promising young innovators.
When the Red Bull Basement programme invited students and first-time founders from across the UAE to submit their next-generation ideas in this renowned annual competition, hundreds of teams responded, reflecting the country’s rapidly growing reputation as a global hub for innovation, entrepreneurship and AI-driven technologies. After a rigorous selection process, the top 8 finalists were invited to present their concepts at a live national final in The Gate DIFC, where innovation took centre stage in a truly unique format.
Fierce Competition
Hundreds of submissions were narrowed down to a select group of standout finalists, each presenting innovative solutions to real-world challenges, from AI-powered platforms to sustainability-driven technologies. Every entry showcased the depth of talent and entrepreneurial ambition emerging across the UAE.
UAE Finalists 2026
- SightSpec AI (Karim Rashad): Utilizes Vision Language Models (VLMs) to automate visual defect detection within software requirement specifications for autonomous vehicles.
- AeroAqua Dynamics (Ahmed Mohamed): Features an AI-driven kinetic building facade that significantly reduces cooling costs while simultaneously harvesting fresh water from atmospheric humidity.
- Oasis (Stanislav Merkulov): An AI-powered agricultural system designed to enable sustainable food production in desert environments by optimizing irrigation and plant survival rates.
- Pulse AI (GhaethMousto): A comprehensive AI platform for construction operations that automates document workflows and analyzes tenders to improve transparency throughout the project lifecycle.
- SVPIENS (Charis Jain): A wearable EMG-based performance system that tracks real-time muscle activation to help athletes optimize their training and prevent injuries.
- AXON (Astha Chauhan): Combines Quantum-inspired orchestration with upcycled energy storage to reduce AI operational costs by 40% and carbon emissions by 90%.
- Vantage Vision Halo (Dev Bhodia and Jushua Koshy): An assistive-navigation headband that utilizes spatial awareness and obstacle detection to help visually impaired users navigate complex environments independently.
- SpeakForge (Mariam Mahmoud): An AI-powered speaking trainer that provides real-time feedback on clarity, structure, and confidence to help users improve their presentation skills in a single session.
After careful deliberation, the national judging panel selected Dev Bhodia and Jushua Koshy for their idea, Vantage Vision Halo, recognising its innovation, scalability and potential real-world impact.
Bhodia and Koshy, said: “We’re honestly overwhelmed – coming through from a simple university idea to winning Red Bull Basement UAE feels surreal, but also like real validation that our product can make a difference in today’s market. The mentorship, being selected from hundreds of applicants, and meeting so many inspiring people who shared their journeys has helped us sharpen our vision and believe even more in what we’re building. To other young entrepreneurs, if you have an idea you truly believe in, put it out there and apply – you never know where it might take you. Now we’re focused on learning even more, making the most of the support around us, and representing the UAE proudly on the global stage.”
This year’s judging panel included leading voices from across the UAE’s innovation, investment and technology ecosystem, including:
- Marwan Al Zarouni – CEO of AI at DET
- Ahmad Al Room Almheiri – CEO of SME at DET
- Mohammed Alblooshi – CEO of DIFC Innovation Hub
- Zaid Ghattas – General Manager METAP at AMD
Next stop: the world final in the USA
The UAE winners will now enter the global Development Phase, gaining access to advanced tools and resources from programme partners including Microsoft and AMD, alongside mentorship and a global network of innovators, to refine their idea into a functional product.
They will go on to represent the UAE at the Red Bull Basement World Final in the USA, joining teams from over 40 countries in an immersive global experience where they will present their ideas to an international panel of judges, investors and industry leaders.
Red Bull Basement, in collaboration with global partners Microsoft, AMD and Red Bull Ventures, and supported locally by DET, MONIIFY and DIFC Innovation Hub continues to provide a platform for the next generation of innovators, equipping them with the skills, exposure and support needed to build the businesses of tomorrow.
The post Two UAE Innovators Win Red Bull Basement National Final In Dubai, Set To Represent The UAE On The Global Stage At The World Final In The USA first appeared on UAE Today Blog.
