Falling Walls Lab is a world-class pitch competition, networking forum, and steppingstone that brings together a diverse and interdisciplinary pool of students, researchers, and early-career professionals by providing a stage for breakthrough ideas both globally and locally.

Selected participants are given three minutes to present their research project, business plan, entrepreneurial or social initiative to peers, a high-calibre jury, and the general public.

The first-place winner of the Lab qualifies for the global finale in Berlin in November and wins a ticket to attend the Falling Walls Science Summit, where they get to interact and network with the world’s movers and shakers of science, business, and policy making.

The winner will also get the chance to apply to participate in the Innovation Week. During the Innovation Week participants will receive support in developing a business plan based on their idea and learn how to successfully become one of the next generation entrepreneurs in Germany. They will be placed at one of the leading Universities of Technology in Germany.

Submit your applications here

Application Deadline: 6 April 2023

For further questions please contact the DAAD Information Centre Johannesburg (daad@wits.ac.za) or the Falling Walls Foundation (lab@falling-walls.com)