Darnell Adler, a recent graduate of the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, has been named one of three U.S. winners of a global innovation competition for students and first-time founders called Red Bull Basement.
Adler's startup, Lifeline AI, earned him a spot in the competition's world final, where he will represent the United States on June 3, competing against first-time founders from more than 40 countries. The overall winner will receive $100,000 to help advance their idea.
Red Bull Basement, presented in partnership with Microsoft and AMD, invites participants to develop technology-driven ideas with the support of AI tools, mentorship and pitch opportunities. This year's U.S. competition drew more than 24,000 applications. From that pool, 65 applicants were invited to submit video pitches, 15 advanced to the national final in Detroit and three were selected to move on to the world stage.
Adler, who graduated this year with an economics degree from USC Dornsife, developed Lifeline AI as a personal safety platform designed to connect users with emergency responders and trusted contacts without requiring them to take out their phone. His concept addresses moments when calling for help may be difficult or dangerous, such as when someone is being followed, threatened or attacked.
“We're redesigning emergency infrastructure because existing safety tools fail at the exact moments when you need them the most,†Adler told Red Bull. “This idea can genuinely save lives.â€
Following his victory in the U.S. competition, Adler reflected on the scale of the achievement. “Getting to bring that mission to a world stage is something I don't have the words for yet.â€
At the world final, Adler and the other national winners will pitch their ideas to an international audience of innovation leaders, industry partners and fellow founders. This year's competition culminates in Adler's hometown of San Francisco — the first time the world final has been held in the U.S.
“Darnell's success reflects the imagination, ambition and problem-solving spirit we hope every USC Dornsife student carries into the world,†said USC Dornsife Dean James Bullock. “Lifeline AI is a powerful example of using ideas and technology in service of people's safety and well-being, and we'll be cheering him on as he takes this innovation to the global stage.â€
