Red Bull Basement South Africa has announced the winners of its 2024 National Finals, with Ndzilo Fire Solution set to represent the nation on the global stage at the Red Bull Basement World Final in Tokyo, Japan in December.
Competing against the brightest young minds from over 40 countries, these South African innovators will now bring their groundbreaking idea to an international audience.
Ndzilo Fire Solution presented a powerful concept that leverages AI technology to create a sensor that detects possible wild fires, impressing the local judges with its innovation, impact potential and technical feasibility.
Red Bull Basement is a global competition dedicated to empowering students and young innovators to create technology-driven solutions for social, economic and environmental challenges. Each idea presented was assessed on several criteria: originality, feasibility, business potential and alignment with global challenges. The South African judges included notable tech visionaries Ian Mangena, Mixo Ngoveni and Mashudu Modau.
“What I appreciate about Red Bull Basement competition is that it makes innovation more accessible and less intimidating. It shows people across South Africa that innovation is not a only for select few. You don’t have to be super smart or have a technical background. By virtue of you existing within a social crisis, you are qualified to come up with a solution to a problem,” commented Ian Mangena, seasoned tech journalist and one of the judges.
The South African finalists will now join other national winners in Tokyo, where they will receive mentorship, engage in AI-focused workshops, and pitch their ideas to an elite panel of global judges, venture capitalists and industry leaders. The global winning team will be awarded a three-week experience in Silicon Valley and Los Angeles in 2025, gaining exclusive mentorship and networking opportunities.
Let’s cheer Ndzilo Fire Solution on as they take this incredible journey!
