FALLING WALLS LAB 2026: VILLACH SHOWCASES INTERNATIONAL INNOVATION
At the Falling Walls Lab South-West Austria 2026, held at the end of May, students, researchers, and innovators presented groundbreaking ideas aimed at addressing global challenges.
On May 28, Technology Park Villach became a hub for innovation, research, and entrepreneurship. As part of the international Falling Walls Lab South-West Austria 2026 pitch competition, young talents from Austria and Slovenia showcased their forward-thinking projects. Given just three minutes each, participants pitched their ideas to a broad audience and a distinguished panel of judges.
First place was awarded to Silicon Austria Labs researcher Emily Bezerra for her project, “Breaking the Wall of End-of-Life Electronics.” With her compelling presentation, she secured a place in the international Falling Walls Lab finale, which will take place in Berlin in November 2026.
The event was organized by build! Gründungszentrum, the Kärntner Gründungsnetzwerk, and AplusB Südwest, with support from Universität Klagenfurt, FH Kärnten, Silicon Austria Labs, and TU Graz. Once again, Falling Walls Lab South-West Austria 2026 highlighted the remarkable innovation, creativity, and future potential of the region’s young talents.
"It is important to encourage young people to pursue their ideas with confidence and to actively help shape the future. Carinthia provides a strong ecosystem of education, research, and innovation to support this."
- Peter Reichmann, Provincial Councillor for Education