Falling Walls Lab seeks top South African innovators

22 Jun 2015

The Falling Walls Lab, an international forum building and promoting interdisciplinary connections between young academics, entrepreneurs and professionals from all fields across the globe, will again hold its innovation competition in Johannesburg, with AT Kearney.

Falling Walls Lab seeks top South African innovators

Applications, from any creative person up to the age of 35 from all disciplines, are now open for this year's Johannesburg Lab, and the deadline for submission is 14 August 2015. The Falling Walls Lab Johannesburg will take place on 18 September at the Wits Origin Centre, Johannesburg, with the winner going on to the international Falling Walls Conference in Berlin in November.

Each entrant is given three minutes to persuade a jury of executives, members of government ministries, academics, and scientists that their cutting edge concepts are the best among 20 submissions from fellow South Africans.

AT Kearney Africa Managing Partner Wim Plaizier said the aim was to uncover innovative and uniquely South African ideas. "The event gives us an opportunity to discover young talent and support interdisciplinary dialogue and importantly, provide South African talent the opportunity to gain recognition on a global stage."

This year more than 16 cities will be holding Falling Walls Labs. The top contestants from each Lab go on to the International Falling Walls Conference, an annual global gathering of more than 100 forward-thinking individuals from more than 35 countries held each year on 9 November in Berlin-the day the Berlin Wall came down.

The three winners are crowned 'Falling Walls Young Innovator of the Year', awarded prize money and invited to display their ideas on the grand stage of the Falling Walls Conference.

"The Labs serve to help build a better South Africa. We believe one of the best ways to do this is to promote entrepreneurial spirit, innovation, academic research and intellectual capital, which will address the challenges facing the country. The Falling Walls Lab in Johannesburg is an excellent way to engage with emerging and breakthrough ideas," concludes Plaizier.