Redmond Prize for Student Enterprise 2026

A life-saving medical aid and an AI art creation platform won the 2026 Redmond Prizes for Student Entrepreneurship.

The Fund, created by Professor Sir Phil Redmond CBE and his wife Lady Alexis Redmond, offers a fantastic £2,500 prize to an undergraduate and a postgraduate each year.

The 2026 winners were:

• Jonathan Mountford - Engineering (UG) - who is developing an emergency medical aid that could be as significant and as prevalent as defibrillators in the community
• Jamie Burns - Computer Science (PG) - who is creating an AI platform - View3Labs - to create animations and art entertainment

Sir Phil said: "Jonathan is a worthy recipient. We appreciate there is a long and difficult road ahead, but hope the Prize will help him take the first steps on that journey."

"We were impressed by James's creativity and approach in merging art with AI as a response to how the virtual digital world is becoming an extension of our everyday existence. It is both a simple concept, creating art, while developing a sophisticated technological model for participation - and fun."

The prizes are supported by LJMU's Student Futures team Corporate Communications manager Colette Quail and include, on top of the funding, ongoing support from the Startup team, and connections with industry mentors.

Two exceptional awards worth £1,500 were also made to two teams of students - Prospect Darts and Liverpool Football and Education Academy.

Sir Phil added: "Alexis and I were so impressed by the energy of the students behind the two other short-listed ideas that we decided to provide extra funds to give each £,1500 towards supporting their entrepreneurial ventures.

"We wish all applicants every success for the future."