Falling Walls Lab
+++ LIVE TODAY: Watch our three Breakthrough winners pitch again, 9 November, 2:30–2:45pm (CET). Register for the livestream +++
FALLING WALLS LAB
100 FINALISTS. ONE STAGE. ONE GLOBAL COMMUNITY.
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. The 100 finalists, each the winner of their local Lab, then came to Berlin. On 6 November, they took the main stage of the Falling Walls Science Summit (6–9 November) at the Global Finale.
Missed the Global Finale? Watch the full livestream from Friday, 6 November, here.
BREAKTHROUGHS OF THE YEAR 2026
Congratulations to our winners! From an exceptional field of 100 finalists, the jury selected three Falling Walls Breakthroughs of the Year in the Emerging Talents category, recognising creativity, scientific excellence and potential for 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
We’re proud of all our finalists: every one of them made this Global Finale exceptional.
BREAKTHROUGHS OF THE YEAR 2026
Congratulations to our winners! From an exceptional field of 100 finalists, the jury selected three Falling Walls Breakthroughs of the Year in the Emerging Talents category, recognising creativity, scientific excellence and potential for 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
We’re proud of all our finalists: every one of them made this Global Finale exceptional.
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
