These Science Start-Ups and Science Engagers Will Pitch for the Title in Berlin
Falling Walls Science Breakthrough of the Year 2024: These Science Start-Ups and Science Engagers Will Pitch for the Title in Berlin
- Since 2009 Falling Walls identifies breakthroughs for humankind arising from academia.
- On 7 November at the 2024 Falling Walls Science Summit in Berlin, shortlisted participants will pitch their projects for the main title of the Science Breakthrough of the Year.
- The top 25 science start-ups were selected out of 124 applications from 36 countries. These startups developed solutions in the spheres of Biotechnology, Energy & Cleantech, Food & Agriculture, MedTech, New Materials, Quantum Technologies, Mobility & Transportation.
- The top 20 Science Engagement projects were selected out of 130 applications from 60 countries. They address fields such as Marine Conservation, STEM education, MedTech, Environmental Stewardship, E-Waste, Theatre and Performance and Space Technology.
- Get to know more about the 2024 Science Summit and all shortlisted participants at falling-walls.com/science-summit/
Berlin, 21 August 2024: The winning topics in the category Science Start-ups (Falling Walls Venture) include DNA-based data storage, AI-enabled development of novel medicines, micro robotic devices that can be inserted into blood vessels, sustainable lithium extraction, room-sized particle accelerators, treatments for currently untreatable forms of cancer, innovative approaches to Direct Air Capture, and machines that can smell. “The selection of the 25 winners of the Falling Walls Venture science start-up competition was truly challenging. The nominated start-ups come from such a diverse range of sectors and represent cuttingedge research from around the world. I look forward to seeing the pioneering work of this year's winners on stage in Berlin on 7 November,” says Sigune Choe, Venture Advisory Board member and Founder of Straightwalk.
In the category Science Engagement (Falling Walls Engage) the winners present innovative ideas on topics such as coral nurseries, solar-powered mobile healthcare clinics, gender equality in STEM education, bioremediation, water theatre and conversations with the International Space Station. For the first time in the history of the Engage Pitches, the winners’ projects focus on aspects of climate adaptation and climate change. This initiative was made possible thanks to the Engage partnership with the Hannover Re Foundation. „The Hannover Re Foundation is deeply committed to sustainability. Our motto, “Give back to the future”, motivates us to make a long-lasting impact. This is why we’re excited to have teamed up with the Falling Walls Foundation. As the exclusive sponsor of the Falling Walls Engage Pitches, we’ve chosen to focus on projects that promote science engagement with a connection to sustainability, innovation, and climate change. Well done to the Top 20 projects that met all these criteria! I’m looking forward to seeing all the winners on stage presenting their ideas for tackling climate change,” says Olaf Brock, member of the Hannover Re Foundation’s Board of Directors and Managing Director and CEO of Hannover Re Takaful and Bahrain Branch.
Find the overview of all shortlisted projects below.
Press Contact
Lucija Bobinec, Head of Communications, press@falling-walls.com
About the Falling Walls Science Summit
Since its inception in 2009, Falling Walls Science Summit (formerly the Falling Walls Conference) has become a leading international, interdisciplinary and intersectoral forum for scientific breakthroughs and dialogue between science and society. The event takes place every year from 7-10 November in Berlin, commemorating the fall of the Berlin Wall. With formats Falling Walls Pitches (7 November), Falling Walls Circle (8 November) and Falling Walls Science Breakthroughs of the Year (9 November), the Falling Walls Science Summit brings together global leaders from academia, business, politics, media, and civil society to debate the potential of scientific breakthroughs to solve grand challenges and shape a sustainable future. The Falling Walls Science Summit is organised by the non-profit Falling Walls Foundation. More: falling-walls.com
ACTITREXX – GERMANY
ActiTrexx is developing a platform of patent-protected cellular and biologic therapies targeting the rootcause of overshooting immune responses thereby decreasing the need for immunosuppressants.
AI PROTEINS – USA
AI Proteins is re-imagining protein therapeutics with a novel approach for designing entirely new proteins using AI-based design and a high-throughput drug discovery platform.
ARQUE SYSTEMS – GERMANY
ARQUE Systems is leveraging German semiconductor technology to develop and commercialize Quantum Computing systems reaching far beyond current capabilities based on electron spins in silicon.
BIOEUTECTICS – ARGENTINA
Bioeutectics is developing the next generation of green solvents with their eutectic biomimetic technology, replacing petrochemical solvents in industrial processes.
CYCLIZE – GERMANY
Cyclize utilizes existing carbon sources, such as plastic waste and CO2, to produce drop-in syngas – a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen – with the aid of a novel plasma reactor. This novel technology replaces natural gas.
DEEPEN – GERMANY
DeepEn develops the world's thinnest microendoscopes, capable of subcellular resolution observations within hard-to-access body regions while causing minimal damage to the surrounding tissue.
ECOLOCKED – GERMANY
ecoLocked is turning buildings into carbon sinks, converting captured carbon from locally sourced biomass residues into functional, carbon-negative building materials.
ELECTRALITH – AUSTRALIA
ElectraLith is unlocking a green future with the cleanest, most versatile, and most cost-efficient method of extracting and refining lithium, the primary element of a sustainable future.
EXAZYME – GERMANY
Exazyme offers an AI platform for protein engineers, biochemists, and biologists, enabling the design and optimization of proteins, from enzymes to antibodies. Their AI helps users tackle their toughest challenges more efficiently and effectively.
GISENS – ARGENTINA
Gisens has engineered a novel diagnostic testing device that allows patients suffering from chronic conditions to run multiple tests from the comfort of their own home.
GREENLYTE CARBON TECHNOLOGIES – GERMANY
Greenlyte Carbon Technologies is developing a low-cost, robust Direct Air Capture technology that captures CO2 at world-leading energy rates, whilst supplying hydrogen as a by-product.
LEVEL NINE – GERMANY
Level Nine is developing the world’s first nanozymes, next-generation catalysts that bridge the gap between enzymes and traditional catalysts. Their technology unlocks new possibilities for profitable and sustainable chemical production.
LINIUM BIOCHEMICALS – FRANCE
Linium Biochemicals accelerates the sustainable transition of chemistry by offering a fossil-free, lowcarbon, and price-competitive alternative for essential everyday chemical products in food, hygiene, pharmaceuticals, and materials.
NANO24 – ISRAEL
Nano24 developed a versatile platform solution, EXO-CD24, for the cytokine storm (CS), the main cause of death in the last 7/8 global pandemics and probably in the next one to come.
NANOFLEX ROBOTICS – SWITZERLAND
Nanoflex Robotics is building next-generation telerobotic solutions for critical endovascular interventions.
NOSI – NETWORK FOR OLFACTORY SYSTEM INTELLIGENCE – AUSTRIA
NOSI has developed a digital nose that teaches machines to smell, relying on an interplay of chemical sensors that are trained to certain smell patterns using machine learning.
ORIGIN BY OCEAN – FINLAND
Origin by Ocean is revolutionizing the way we address environmental challenges by transforming harmful algae into valuable, sustainable products.
PEARCODE – FRANCE
PEARCODE is transforming data storage with DNA. Harnessing the ultra-compact, durable nature of synthetic DNA, PEARCODE's fully automated DNA memory will offer storage capacities a billion times greater than traditional media.
PRAMOMOLECULAR – GERMANY
PRAMOMOLECULAR is developing drugs with a new mode of action to treat particularly aggressive forms of lung or pancreatic cancer or heart failure by downregulating the disease-causing protein.
QKERA – GERMANY
Qkera develops solid electrolytes for next-generation lithium-ion batteries, offering safer, more powerful batteries with 30-50% higher energy density at affordable prices for mass-market applications like electric vehicles.
REME-D – EGYPT
Reme-D builds next-level diagnostics for regions with low resource settings and ensures equitable access to diagnostics for all.
S.LAB – UKRAINE
S.Lab creates strong and reliable material capable of fully replacing foamed plastic by harvesting the strength of agricultural waste and the binding power of mycelium.
SPARXELL – GREAT BRITAIN
Sparxell is creating the next generation of colours and effects, eliminating toxic chemicals from colouration and replacing them with nature-positive alternatives.
TAU SYSTEMS – USA
TAU Systems is developing the first compact particle accelerators and light sources that combine the capabilities of large accelerators with a small footprint to provide easy and affordable beamtime access for any company.
XEMX MATERIALS SPACE EXPLORATION – GERMANY
xemX is developing high-performance materials for the green chemical industry, creating customertailored and application-specific materials.
ABDUL KARIM SESAY – ALTRUISTECH CREATIVITY HUB, SIERRA LEONE
Altruistech Creativity Hub empowers Sierra Leone’s youth through STEM education to innovate sustainable solutions for climate change, merging hands-on learning with community engagement to foster a generation of environmentally conscious problem-solvers.
APPLE PUI YI CHUI – SCHOOL CORAL NURSERY PROGRAMME, HONG KONG
During the 12-month School Coral Nursery program, students turn schools into nurseries, rearing corals on campus under the guidance of coral researchers. The corals are later planted back into the sea by coral researchers, contributing to its restoration efforts off the coast of Hong Kong.
BENGISU BERISPEK – SUSTAIN.ALL, GERMANY
Sustain.ALL promotes sustainability and climate education in universities and schools through art, workshops, hackathons and yoga, supporting diverse groups in transforming organisations and buildings with climate adaptation measures.
CECILIA MANOSA NYBLON – WE ARE THE POSSIBLE, GREAT BRITAIN
We Are the Possible bridges the gap between science and society to catalyse climate action and sustainable solutions by co-creating new narratives for translation through the arts and education, using the platform of COP and other forums to deliver these messages and inspire positive change.
CHARLES UMEH – PARKERS RESILIENT HEALTH, NIGERIA
Parkers Resilient Health empowers Nigerian communities to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change through sustainable healthcare practices, education on environmental health, and the use of solar-powered mobile clinics for accessible and resilient health services.
CHUCK CHUAN NG – VET-BIOR, MALAYSIA
Vet Bio-R engages Malaysian and Thai youths in hands-on bioremediation using Vetiver grass, fostering environmental stewardship and climate action and promoting sustainable development in both Malaysia and Thailand.
FRANKLINE OJIAMBO – EMPOWERING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE THROUGH TECH EDUCATION AND RESPONSIBLE WASTE MANAGEMENT, KENYA
Our 6-week program trains youth in e-waste repair, creating green jobs and tackling climate change by diverting e-waste from landfills and reducing methane emissions.
GERAINT RHYS WHITTAKER – OCEAN SCIENCE JAM, GERMANY
The Ocean Science Jam is a project that brings together musicians, artists, dancers, performers, the public and ocean researchers to creatively respond to visual and acoustic cues in real time, based on a theme linked to the work of marine scientists.
HASSAN FARAH – OUR FUTURE IS SCIENCE, USA
OUR FUTURE IS SCIENCE pairs high-schoolers with STEM graduate students on a journey of mentorship and scientific learning toward youth-developed solutions to climate justice challenges.
JOSEFA GONZALES – MELANOGASTER: CATCH THE FLY!, SPAIN
Melanogaster: Catch The Fly! brings together students and teachers from rural areas (in Europe and beyond), local communities (including farmers and politicians), communication experts and scientists to monitor, analyze, and cope with climate change's effects on natural populations.
JOY OFFERE – SHENOVATE, NIGERIA
Tech4Climate empowers girls and women aged 13-35 with coding, robotics, and technology skills focused on climate-related application, fostering gender equality in STEM and enabling participants to directly contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts in their communities.
KAYLENE COOPER – WONDER OF SCIENCE, AUSTRALIA
Wonder of Science fosters a STEM culture, bringing together inspiring PhD candidates in STEM fields from 4 universities, and partnerships with industry and government to deliver curriculum-aligned termlong STEM inquiry tasks to students aged 9 - 15 who then present at a student showcase conference.
LUCY BROWN – REFUGIA, GREAT BRITAIN
Engaging with climate change and caring for wildlife and the planet are often seen as a privilege, but despite the instability in their lives, asylum seekers and refugees have a deep respect for nature and an interest in how they can protect it.
MARÍA CRISTINA DÍAZ VELÁZQUEZ – CIULAB BOGOTÁ, COLOMBIA
Coparticipatory methodology of design to create an educational environment to engage citizens into civic culture and participation in the areas of coexistence in public spaces, urban landscapes circular economy and sustainable mobility.
MELISSA JACKSON – INKOW WEKNOW, AUSTRALIA
iknow weKnow is an innovative, Australian first collaborative research pilot across four remote Indigenous Australian communities employing collaborative co-design to develop digital and in-person engagement and education tools and strategies for climate, energy and water security and sustainability.
NKOSANA MASUKU – STEM SUSTAINABILITY AND CLIMATE ADAPTION INITIATIVE, ZIMBABWE
The STEM Sustainability and Climate Adaptation Initiative by Sciency Learning educates young learners in Sub-Saharan Africa through hands-on Clean Energy Kits, teaching them about renewable energy and sustainability while empowering communities to adopt climate-adaptive practices.
ORIANA TREJO ALVAREZ – COMMUNICATION OF KNOWLEDGE DIRECTORSHIP, MEXICO
Bringing research produced by our public university in environmental sciences and humanities to the public in an interactive and critical thinking manner, especially focused on historically underrepresented groups through a horizontal dialogical approach.
ORIS CHIMPHAMBANO – SCIENCE FOR ALL (SCI40), MALAWI
Science for All is a science engagement and innovation project working with Malawian students.
PAULINE MÜNCH – ANTHROPOSCENES, GERMANY
AnthropoScenes connects art and science - with water in the spotlight. On stages in Berlin and markets in Brandenburg; artists and researchers experiment with different audiences to debate, discuss and develop sustainable water futures.
SANDRA ROBERTS – DOWN TO EARTH, USA
Down to Earth is an informal learning initiative connecting students to the International Space Station through conversations with ISS professionals, exploring ISS technology and methodology, and a hands-on challenge to design a solution to climate change issues in their communities.