We’re delighted to announce that Colin Furze will be a judge for our V&A Innovate National Schools Challenge 2025 – 26.

Colin is a YouTuber and inventor with his channel promising to be the home of crazy ideas, brilliant world records and constant disregard to health and safety. His most viewed video to date is his homemade hoverbike, currently is charting at 51M views. Other inventions he’s worked on include a jet bicycle, DIY wolverine claws, and his secret garage project.

We spoke to Colin about being on the panel and why design is important to him.

What are you most looking forward to as a V&A Innovate judge, and why?

I’m most excited to see kids’ solutions because they aren’t constrained by adult thinking.

What do this year’s themes of ‘Rest, Join, Reimagine’ mean to you?

For me, they mean taking a step back, talking to each other, and thinking about how we can come together to find a better way forward.

Why is design important to you?

Design is important to me because, without good design, even a great idea can be limited in its potential.

What invention or innovation could you not live without?

My favourite invention is the bicycle, and I can’t imagine living without it – it’s such a versatile and amazing creation. A close second would be The Bicycle of Springs – how could I possibly live without that?!

 Can you share any top tips for the students taking part in the V&A innovate this year?

Keep things simple, and don’t overcomplicate them for the sake of it. Good luck!

Register to take part in Innovate 2025 – 26

Could your students design with empathy and challenge the status quo? Register to take part on the V&A Innovate webpage and enter your students’ ideas by 6 March 2026.

V&A Innovate is the V&A’s annual National Schools Challenge offering students in years 7, 8 and 9 the opportunity to design a solution to a real-world problem inspired by the V&A’s collections.