Microsoft’s Jessica Hawk on “magic” opportunities for first-time founders

I was looking to learn. When we’re sitting in our headquarters in Redmond [Washington, USA] and we envision what people will build with our solutions, we can never begin to match the creativity that’s going to come from an event like this. When I walked through the gallery of all the teams’ ideas, I could see the broad swath of scenarios they went after, and I was really excited to watch the top 10 finalists deliver their ideas, because I knew it was going to open up my own mind.

You know, there’s so much to read and study about AI online, but it’s never the same as when you get a chance to go build with it. In my mind, job one for today’s entrepreneurs and creators is just understanding what’s possible – both right now and what might be coming ahead – and that’s exactly what’s happening as the participants build on their Red Bull Basement ideas. These innovators are learning, hands-on, what it really means to build with AI as a partner – from writing code with GitHub Copilot to orchestrating intelligent agents and systems on Microsoft Foundry. That shift, from tools to true collaborators, is what makes this experience so exciting for me.

Right from the moment potential teams have visited the Red Bull Basement website, they’ve been guided by an AI-driven application experience built on Microsoft Azure, using the same models and developer capabilities used by start-ups around the world. The tool has helped them brainstorm, refine their ideas, and automatically generate the one-pager they needed to submit.

The support continues through every phase of the event. For example, teams that win their national finals will receive Microsoft Azure credits to rapidly prototype design into a functional MVP [Minimum Viable Product], and at the World Final, the global winner’s package will include USD $25,000 in Microsoft Azure credits.

Keep the faith. As a former founder myself, I know that there will be pressures, and it will feel like there are a million reasons to stop and go do something that feels more expected; but when you can connect your personal passion to your work, you’ve won. If this is something you feel in your gut is a need that is being unmet in the world, and you have the vision, and especially if you can leverage the support available from opportunities like Red Bull Basement, all you need is the faith to just keep going.

Also, from my lived experience having taken a company to merger and acquisition, I would say to remain persistent in the execution. Stay agile. Listen and be willing to adjust. Many of us have seen examples where the initial concept hits barriers, and sometimes it’s just about keeping your mind focused on execution, continuing to make progress. Just put one foot in front of the other every single day. Many don’t and give up, but those who persist will find success.

Of course they’re vital. Keep your networks healthy. When I was a founder, I would ask my barista for advice, I would pitch my grocery checker. I would talk about it with everybody, and every opinion is valuable. Listening and talking, sharing with others around you – it definitely doesn’t have to be a business meeting. This is another opportunity that participants can seize with Red Bull Basement: the chance to talk and share experiences with their peers, collaborate with mentors, build those networks.