Falling Walls Lab is a global pitch competition that gives bright minds a unique chance to become innovation’s next big success story. It is currently running in 60 countries worldwide & Zimbabwe was added to that list in 2022. A call for applications is currently now open until the 14th of June, which means you only have 2 months to submit your idea.
Eligibility criteria:
Must be at least 18+ years old.
Currently enrolled in university and/or are currently a postdoc
Bachelor’s degree no more than 10 years ago
Master’s degree no more than 7 years ago
Ph.D. no more than 5 years ago
The application deadline is June 14th, 2024. You can get more information on the Falling Walls Lab website. This is a multidisciplinary event, not an exclusively STEM event. There will be cash prizes for the top three competitors and the winner will be dusting off their passport to head to Berlin.
The founder of Falling Walls Lab Zimbabwe is Emmie Chiyindiko Ph.D., who’s the Program Lead for the open innovation portal opnMe.com at one of the most prominent pharmaceutical companies in Germany -Boehringer Ingelheim. Emmie is an Afrika Kommt! Fellow, award-winning science communicator, and event facilitator. She was herself a participator & winner in the Falling Walls Lab South Africa in 2021 and was upgraded to the founder of Zimbabwe’s very first Falling Walls Lab in 2022 going forward.
Besides the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd cash prizes, 10/15 finalists get to pitch to top management from the local partner companies including NGOs, Agriculture, Finance, start-up incubators, etc.
The first prize includes a free ticket to the global finale in Berlin Germany and the week-long Berlin Science Summit. The Summit is attended by world movers, leaders in technology, investors, and finalists from across the globe.
Even if you don’t win, joining the Falling Walls Lab community guarantees an opportunity to connect youth to their role models, peers, resources, technologies, skills, and economic opportunities. We assure better access to capital and markets; skills development, and sustained investment in training; apprenticeship, and education through our partnerships.
Falling Walls Lab Zimbabwe is sponsored by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom in Zimbabwe, supported by Accountability Lab Zimbabwe and will be live-streamed by Heart & Soul TV
