Falling Walls Lab UCLA

The UCLA Falling Walls Lab is the first phase of an international competition in which pre-selected innovators 35 years old and younger pitch their research projects, business plans, or entrepreneurial or social initiatives for a chance to represent the United States in the Berlin competition. 

The UCLA Falling Walls Lab is aligned with the Falling Walls Foundation, headquartered in Berlin, which seeks to foster scientific and enterpreneurial innovations and to promote the exchange between young scholars and professionals from different fields of expertise. Teams from around the world develop solutions to challenges and vie for the honor of presenting their breakthroughs. Finalists showcase their solutions in 3 minute presentations. Jurors determine the winner.

As one of the world's preeminent research universities, UCLA's graduate students will be impressive competitors in this international competition. The UCLA Office of Research, headed by James S. Economou, M.D., Ph.D, is the leader of the UCLA Falling Walls Lab.

In October, 2013, 14 UCLA contenders described their breakthrough ideas in 3-minute pitches; the three finalists will compete in Berlin in November 9, 2013--the day of the fall of the Berlin Wall--for the title of "Falling Walls Young Innovator of the Year."