Falling Walls Lab 2025
On April 30th, we held our annual Falling Walls Lab, a world-class pitch competition and networking forum for students, researchers, and early-career scientists of all disciplines. This year, we had eight wonderful presentations, a top-notch jury, and an auditorium of enthusiastic spectators!
Falling Walls Lab is part of a global series of events that aim to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and showcase innovative research. Each Lab invites participants to answer the central question: “Which are the next walls to fall?” in their three minute pitch, and finalists are judged on their idea’s breakthrough factor, relevance/impact, and presentation. The winners from these local Labs earn the opportunity to present their ideas at the Falling Walls Science Summit in Berlin, held annually from November 6 to 9, coinciding with the anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Our first place winner was Kaelan Yim, who is developing a practical, eco-friendly alternative to traditional data centers that utilizes wasted energy for heating needs. Our audience award winner was Haiqa Babar, who is developing a bitewing sensor cushion that reduces pressure on the buccal, lingual, and gum edges, making X-rays more comfortable.
Participants benefited not only from presenting their ideas but also from networking opportunities with peers, the jury, and potential collaborators. The event served as a stepping stone for many to gain international recognition and further their research or entrepreneurial endeavors.
The international network of Falling Walls Labs includes renowned academic institutions from over 60 countries. The ETH Zürich, National University of Singapore, and University of Cape Town are only a few of the universities that have recently participated in the Falling Walls Lab program. Falling Walls Lab is organized by the Falling Walls Foundation and generously funded by Berlin’s Natural History Museum (global finale), and Google and Huawei (international Labs). It is supported by the Federal Foreign Office of Germany and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).
Learn more about the project: https://falling-walls.com/lab/