Two innovative student startups from Brunel University of London took centre stage at the 2026 Red Bull Basement UK National Final, showcasing the creativity, ambition and entrepreneurial talent emerging from the university’s innovation ecosystem.
The event, widely recognised as one of the UK’s leading student entrepreneurship competitions, brought together some of the country’s brightest young founders for an evening of groundbreaking ideas and high-energy pitching.
Representing Brunel were Aman Sah and Isaiah Paul, founders of Ruum, alongside Jawad Noori, founder of SunCircle. Both startups impressed audiences and judges alike with their vision, innovation and determination to solve real-world problems through technology and entrepreneurship. Both startups were supported in the lead-up to the event by pitch expert Andrew Mossop, founder of The Training Ground, who helped them refine and strengthen their pitches.
Ruum is a 3D second-hand furniture marketplace that lets sellers list furniture in seconds and buyers see items in their room before buying. The team shared “We’re incredibly excited to reach the Red Bull Basement UK Final. Ruum came from a simple frustration: buying and selling second-hand furniture online still feels like guesswork. We want to make it faster, smarter and more trusted, while helping more usable furniture stay in circulation.”
SunCircle is a peer-to-peer energy sharing platform that connects solar panel owners with nearby neighbours, cutting energy bills in half and letting communities keep their power local. Jawad shared "The sun does not send anyone a bill. Yet the people who need energy most pay the most for it. I am building SunCircle to put energy back in the hands of communities. Getting to the UK Final tells me the right people are starting to listen.”
Supporters from Brunel were in full voice throughout the evening, celebrating the teams’ achievements and the growing reputation of Brunel as a hub for student-led innovation.
Adding to the significance of the night was the presence of distinguished Brunel alumni Joanna Power and Paramveer Bhachu, the founders of Lylo, who served on the judging panel. The pair previously achieved international success during their final year studies at Brunel University, winning the 2020 Red Bull Basement International competition, and their return highlighted the long-standing impact of Brunel entrepreneurs on the global stage.
The event also reunited members of Brunel’s growing startup community, including alumnus Jonathan Fisher, founder of Peter and winner of the 2024 UK national title. His presence reinforced the strong culture of mentorship, collaboration and community that continues to define Brunel’s entrepreneurial network.
The evening served as a powerful reminder of the university’s ongoing commitment to nurturing future founders and innovators, while demonstrating how Brunel students and graduates continue to make their mark across the UK startup landscape.
As the competition continues to spotlight the next generation of entrepreneurial talent, Brunel’s finalists have already shown that they belong among the country’s most exciting young innovators.
