Falling Walls Science Summit — Falling Walls Venture 2026

Competition · Berlin, Germany

Rolling applications Apply

Twenty-five finalists are flown in to pitch venture capitalists and global science leaders in Berlin, with accommodation and part of the travel costs covered, full access to the Falling Walls Science Summit and its networking events, professional video and photography of the pitch, and membership of the Falling Walls community. The winner presents again on Breakthrough Day and takes the Falling Walls Science Breakthrough of the Year title in the Science Start-Ups category. Cheque

None Equity

25 Cohort

Berlin, Germany Where

Falling Walls Venture is the startup pitching strand of the Falling Walls Science Summit in Berlin, entered through the Falling Walls Global Call.

It is open to science-based startups founded on or after 1 January 2021, incorporated at the time of application, with a working prototype or proof of concept, from any scientific discipline including biotech, AI, cleantech, materials, healthcare and agriculture. Each entry must be endorsed by a nominating institution such as a university, research institution, accelerator or incubator, and the company must not have pitched at Falling Walls Venture before.

Twenty-five finalists are flown in to pitch venture capitalists and global science leaders, with accommodation and part of the travel costs covered, full access to the summit and its networking events, professional video and photography of the pitch, and membership of the Falling Walls community. The winner presents again on Breakthrough Day and takes the Falling Walls Science Breakthrough of the Year title in the Science Start-Ups category. No equity is taken. The 2026 Global Call has closed and applications open again in February 2027; the 2026 Venture pitches are on 6 November during the summit (6-9 November 2026).

What it actually costs you

ChequeTwenty-five finalists are flown in to pitch venture capitalists and global science leaders in Berlin, with accommodation and part of the travel costs covered, full access to the Falling Walls Science Summit and its networking events, professional video and photography of the pitch, and membership of the Falling Walls community. The winner presents again on Breakthrough Day and takes the Falling Walls Science Breakthrough of the Year title in the Science Start-Ups category.

Equity takenNone

Market rate for the same chequeScience-based startups founded on or after 1 January 2021, incorporated at the time of application, with a working prototype or proof of concept, from any scientific discipline including biotech, AI, cleantech, materials, healthcare and agriculture. Each entry must be endorsed by a nominating institution such as a university, research institution, accelerator or incubator, and the company must not have pitched at Falling Walls Venture before.

Falling Walls Venture selects 25 science-based startups to pitch venture capitalists and global science leaders in Berlin. Entrants must be incorporated, hold a working prototype or proof of concept, be endorsed by a nominating university, research institution, accelerator or incubator, and not have pitched here before. Finalists are flown in with accommodation and part of travel covered, full summit access and professional pitch video. Non-dilutive.