The idea for traceless was originally developed out of a scientific interest - therefore, this title makes us especially proud: At the Falling Walls Science Summit 2021, we got selected as the Science Breakthrough of the Year 2021 in the category Falling Walls Venture. The jury selected us as the start-up idea that best combines research expertise and entrepreneurial excellence, from 60 finalists and 25 winners that pitched their idea at the Science Summit in Berlin. What an honour and great recognition!
traceless' CEO & Co-Founder Anne Lamp pitching traceless on stage in Berlin
“The project is addressing one of the most urgent problems of pollution on Earth by substituting conventional plastic with sustainable alternatives. It’s great to see that a young female team could make it to the final round and convince the jury with this outstanding innovative idea” Frank Kalkbrenner, Chairman of the Jury and Global Head of Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund about traceless.
Since its first annual gathering on November 9th 2009 - that was the 20th anniversary of the peaceful fall of the Berlin Wall - Falling Walls has steadily grown into a leading global forum for science. The event brings together the most important researchers and thinkers of our time to discuss scientific breakthroughs with global leaders in science, politics, business, and media, and to answer the core question of the Falling Walls Science Summit: “What are the next walls to fall in science and society?”
For us, the ultimate highlight of the event was the final day of the event. As a Science Breakthrough of the Year, traceless Co-Founder Dr. Anne Lamp had the chance to pitch our idea on the main stage of the conference. The title of our pitch: Breaking the Wall to Sustainable Plastic Alternatives! Talking in front of such a top-class audience was of course an exciting moment for us. What made it even more special: Only a few minutes before Anne's pitch, BioNtech Co-Founder Özlem Türeci was on stage to tell the impressive and astonishing story of her scientific journey. Amongst all other inspiring contributions on that day, her talk made a deep and lasting impression on us, and strengthened our belief that committed and excellent science can really overcome hurdles and contribute to the good of society and our planet.
Besides the category Falling Walls Venture where traceless got selected, the title Science Breakthrough of the Year was awarded in two other categories: In the category Falling Walls Engage, it went to Monica Feliu-Mojer, Ph.D. for Breaking the Wall between Marginalized Communities and Science in Puerto Rico with Aquí Nos Cuidamos. In the category Falling Walls Lab, the prize went to Ana Montalban-Arques for Breaking the Wall of Ineffective Cancer Therapies. Other recognitions went to Glyphic Bioechnologies and N-Ink. Our congratulations!
Read the press release by Falling Walls here: https://falling-walls.com/press-releases/science-breakthroughs-of-the-year-in-the-science-engagement-science-start-ups-and-emerging-talents/
Last but not least, we would like to thank RESPOND / BMW Foundation Herbert Quandt - not only for nominating us for the event, but also for all the support we received during the RESPOND Accelerator programme before.
All images ® Falling Walls Foundation