Are you Manitoba’s next breakthrough thinker?

Applications are now open for Falling Walls Lab Manitoba 2026, inviting students, researchers, innovators, disruptors, and emerging entrepreneurs across the province to present their breakthrough ideas on a global stage, starting right here in Manitoba.

Part of the internationally recognized Falling Walls Lab initiative, the competition challenges participants to pitch a bold game-changing idea in just three minutes. The format is simple, but the impact is massive. Winners advance to the global Falling Walls Lab finale in Berlin, joining innovators from around the world who are working to “break through walls” in science, technology, society, and entrepreneurship.

Hosted through IDEA START at the University of Manitoba, in continued partnership with the University of Winnipeg, and with formal collaborations in progress with Brandon University and Université de Saint-Boniface, this year’s Lab is positioned as a truly province-wide initiative, expanding Manitobas reach and visibility more than ever before. 

Dr. Wieden accompanies the Manitoba winner to Berlin each year, providing mentorship, and putting Manitoba grown solutions and ingenuity on the global map, ultimately building global connections to innovators, makers and shakers

Participants from all disciplines are encouraged to apply — from engineering and health sciences to social sciences, arts, and business. The program emphasizes interdisciplinary thinking, recognizing that today’s most pressing challenges require collaboration across fields.

For many participants, the experience extends far beyond a pitch competition.

The Falling walls foundation provides additional mentorship program during the science and innovation summit in Berlin, such as a science diplomacy and policy session under the "Science Diplomacy by Europe: Shaping Global Engagement" held at the Ambassade de France en Allemagne last year. It aims at building a global community of problem solvers.

The Manitoba Lab provides participants with mentorship, visibility within the innovation ecosystem, and an opportunity to strengthen public communication skills, which are increasingly essential for researchers seeking to translate knowledge into impact.

To support applicants, IDEA START hosts weekly virtual information sessions every Friday, where prospective participants can learn more about the competition, hear directly from past winners, and receive guidance on crafting a strong application and pitch.

Whether developing cutting-edge research, launching a startup idea, or exploring solutions to societal challenges, the Falling Walls Lab organizers encourage anyone with a breakthrough concept to apply.

The call is simple: if your idea has the potential to break a wall, this is your moment to share it.

Register for the Info Sessions