Falling Walls Lab
FALLING WALLS LAB
100 FINALISTS. ONE STAGE. WELCOME TO BERLIN!
Falling Walls Lab is a global pitch competition for the next generation of researchers and innovators. In just three minutes, students and early-career professionals from all disciplines present breakthrough ideas that challenge existing boundaries and tackle some of the most pressing issues of our time.
This season set a new record: more than 3.100 applicants took part in 91 Labs hosted by leading academic institutions in 65 countries.
This week, we are excited to welcome the 100 Falling Walls Lab Finalists to Berlin! At the Global Finale on 6 November, they take the main stage of the Falling Walls Science Summit (6–9 November) to compete for the title of Breakthrough Winner in the Emerging Talents category.
Watch the Global Finale live on Friday, 6 November: 9 am – 5 pm CET (register here)
FALLING WALLS BREAKTHROUGHS OF THE YEAR 2026 – EMERGING TALENTS
From over 100 outstanding Falling Walls Lab finalists worldwide who presented on stage at the Falling Walls Science Summit on 6 November, the jury selected three Breakthroughs of the Year in the Emerging Talents category of Falling Walls, recognizsng creativity, scientific excellence, and global impact:
- 1st Place: Davide Scandella – Breaking the Wall of Tumor Margins in Surgery
- 2nd Place: Lander Van Belleghem– Breaking the Wall of Textile Recycling
- 3rd Place: Franziska Paul-Shushan – Breaking the Wall of Fat Storage in Obesity
FALLING WALLS BREAKTHROUGHS OF THE YEAR 2026 – EMERGING TALENTS
From over 100 outstanding Falling Walls Lab finalists worldwide who presented on stage at the Falling Walls Science Summit on 6 November, the jury selected three Breakthroughs of the Year in the Emerging Talents category of Falling Walls, recognizsng creativity, scientific excellence, and global impact:
- 1st Place: Davide Scandella – Breaking the Wall of Tumor Margins in Surgery
- 2nd Place: Lander Van Belleghem– Breaking the Wall of Textile Recycling
- 3rd Place: Franziska Paul-Shushan – Breaking the Wall of Fat Storage in Obesity
The diversity of nationalities and ideas at the Falling Walls Science Summit reimagines my hope for a global future in AI, medicine, and sustainable energy for all.
Pewee Kolubah, Science Breakthrough of the Year 2nd place, 2024
THE 2026 SEASON HAS CLOSED – SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!
Applications for this season's Falling Walls Labs are now closed. The 2027 season opens on 1 February, connecting researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs from around the world through a global network of local pitch competitions.
- Explore this season's Falling Walls Lab locations on the map
- Why you should apply
THE 2026 SEASON HAS CLOSED – SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!
Applications for this season's Falling Walls Labs are now closed. The 2027 season opens on 1 February, connecting researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs from around the world through a global network of local pitch competitions.
- Explore this season's Falling Walls Lab locations on the map
- Why you should apply
Contact us
mail: lab@falling-walls.com
