Falling Walls Venture is an international platform showcasing the most promising research based start-ups from all over the globe. Nominated by renowned universities and leading research institutions, 20 emerging companies pitch their breakthrough business models at a unique event that celebrates the vast entrepreneurial potential in science and fosters the community of scientist-entrepreneurs.
Concept
Each year, universities and research institutions from all over the world are called upon to nominate their most innovative science start-up. From all nominations, 20 pioneering young companies are selected to participate in Falling Walls Venture in Berlin. On November 8, the eve of the Falling Walls Conference (The International Conference on Breakthroughs in Science and Society), they join a fast-paced pitch event embedded in an exceptional event and networking experience. Introduced by their nominating institutions, the start-ups present their business models in just 5 minutes in front of a high-calibre jury who awards the most promising concept. The winner, the Falling Walls Science Start-Up of the Year, gets the chance to present again on the grand stage of the Falling Walls Conference amongst Nobel laureates and other luminaries, and to an audience of 750 industry leaders, decision makers and international media representatives. All participants receive access to exclusive networking functions and the Falling Walls Conference on the following day.
Participants In the past numerous renowned universities and research institutions nominated start-ups, among them New York University, University of Rochester, Imperial College London, Tohoku University, University of Alberta, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, McMaster University (Hamilton), University of Edinburgh, Fraunhofer Society (Munich), ETH Zurich, the Weizmann Institute of Science (Rehovot), Princeton University, University of Cambridge and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology.
Falling Walls Venture is organised by the Falling Walls Foundation and generously supported by the Berlin Senate and by Boehringer Ingelheim as well as by ASTP-Proton and numerous international partner universities and research institutions as network partners.
Location:
GermanyBenefits
Falling Walls Venture is a platform to showcase the entrepreneurial potential in science. We provide a stage for pioneering founders who have turned science into business, creating entrepreneurial solutions for today’s most pressing challenges.
Why should you join Falling Walls Venture as a start-up?
- win a trip to Berlin (7-10 November 2019) to present your start-up in front of a high-level jury of international innovation experts and investors (travel and accomodation stipend included for start-up presenter)
- receive a ticket for the full Falling Walls programme and exclusive networking functions
- if you become the “Falling Walls Science Start-up of the Year”, present your company in front of a high-level audience of 800 decision makers from business, finance, academia and government at the Falling Walls Conference
- as one of 25 start-ups, get international visibility and media coverage
- obtain personal advice from the jury
- join the Falling Walls network of leaders and luminaries from science and business and make strong connections to successful entrepreneurs, corporate innovation leaders and investors
- receive pitch coaching and preparation on the presentation
Why should you join Falling Walls Venture as a nominating institution?
- boost your spin-off and your university’s entrepreneurship initiatives
- get visibility for your university, including a slot on stage to introduce your start-up
- receive a ticket for the full Falling Walls programme and exclusive networking functions
- join the Falling Walls network of leaders from science, industry and politics and meet entrepreneurs and innovators from all around the world
Eligibilities
- Falling Walls Venture is open to entrepreneurs and scientists whose start-ups are based on scientific research.
- Applications are open to all scientific disciplines.
- Each start-up must be endorsed by a nominating institution. This can be a university or a research institution.
- The company must be founded (incorporated) by the time you apply and cannot be older than 5 years (i.e. founded between 1 January 2014 and the date of application)
- If you have already participated in Falling Walls Venture as a presenter on stage, you cannot apply again.
- Start-ups should at least have a protoype/proof of concept and and should already have received some funding.
Application Process
- Secure an endorsement by a university or research institute (i.e. VP Innovation, Director Technology Transfer, Head of university accelerator or a professor).
- Submit your application online through the Apply Now link by 30 June 2019 at the latest (incl. contact details of the representative of the nominating institution).Before your start:
- Have your pitch deck ready (PDF)
- Prepare a 1-minute video showing you (the presenter) giving your elevator pitch (self-shot clip with smartphone camera is fine). File formats: .avi or .mp4
- Fill in the online application questionnaire (preview in the official link).
Please note: You must fill in and submit the form in one session (your answers won’t be saved if you close the browser tab). But you can click back and forth in the form to edit your answers.
- After the deadline has passed, our selection committee will screen all nominations.
- The 25 most promising start-ups will be invited to attend the event.
- November 7 to November 10: Travel to Berlin, join the pitch event on 8 November and enjoy the Falling Walls programme as well as the Berlin Science Week!
Application Deadline: June 30, 2019
Application ClosedOfficial link
