Whale Tank

A pitch contest for innovators, by innovators. We’re not doing “Innovation Theater” here. We’re making game-changing connections between startups/tech companies, investors and startups. Where innovation meets acceleration, connecting startups directly with customers and investors to fast-track clinical breakthroughs

*Applications are now closed. Thank you to everyone who applied!

Stay tuned for future opportunities.

Whale Tank is a showcase for innovators who want to raise awareness of their breakthrough offerings.

We bring together tech companies, investors, clinical trial sponsors and experts to give powerful feedback and gauge which innovators are making the biggest impact on the clinical research field.

Our mission?

To forge powerful connections between cutting-edge tech companies and their ideal partners—whether that's customers, investors, or strategic advisors. We're not just about a one-off event; we're building relentless, ongoing momentum that fuels innovation before, during, and after Whale Tank. Get ready to unleash transformative breakthroughs and push the boundaries of what's possible in clinical research.

What is Whale Tank?

What Makes Whale Tank Different?

Customer-Centric Approach

We prioritize hearing from customers first. By understanding their pain points and unmet needs, we ensure that the solutions address real problems.

Diverse Stakeholder Involvement

We bring together a variety of stakeholders, including customers and investors, to form our judging panel. This ensures pitching companies receive comprehensive and valuable feedback.

Substantive Evaluation

It's not a “pay to play” popularity contest. We provide ample time for conversations between customers and pitching companies before and after the pitches, ensuring thorough and meaningful evaluations.

When is it Happening?

August 16th: Application deadline for pitching companies.

August 19th - 30th: Round 2 screening for selected companies.

September (*detailed timeline TBA)

  • Finalist announcement (individually notified).

  • Pre-pitch workshop and 1:1 matching with customers/VCs/PEs.

October 2nd-3rd: Pitch Day + Networking

Application Process

Round 1: Submit the Whale Tank Application Form

Round 2: 1:1 interviews for first round selected companies (depending on the volume of submissions, 1:1 interview may be replaced into a group online pitch to select 6 finalists.)

Why is it worth your time?

Exposure to Customers and Investors

Get your products in front of your ideal customers as well as investors who are looking for new portfolio companies.

Professional Marketing Material

Each finalist will get a professionally edited promotion video with a high-production value, worthy of sharing in the company’s website and social media channels

Mentoring from Industry Experts

1:1 mentoring from industry experts (Navigators). These are actual “been there, done that” former founders and other industry leaders. If you make it to the finalist round, we’ll help you uplevel your pitch.

Efficiency

It’s a simple form submission, and you can likely draw from existing content you have on the shelf.  The real work begins once you’ve made the first cut. Why not put your name in the mix!

Direct Networking with Pharma & Biotechs

Direct networking with Pharma & Biotechs, opportunities for follow-up conversations with potential customers. This goes way beyond the typical beauty pageant.

Awards

An award certificate issued by the Innovation Network and potential prize offers

Calling for all startups and tech companies

We invite all startups and tech companies(including later stage companies) that are addressing problems and unmet needs in the clinical trials industry to apply.

Your solutions can focus on (but are not limited to) the following areas:

  • Shortening Time to Market: Innovations that make clinical trials more time-efficient.

  • Broadening Clinical Trial Access: Solutions that support broader and faster recruitment, including Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

  • Reducing Site and/or Patient Burden: Approaches that minimize the burden on clinical trial sites and patients.

How to Apply

We want this initial submission to be quick and sweet. If selected for the next round of review, we’ll work with you to elaborate your story as needed to prep for the judges. For now, just do your best to provide the following information on 1-2 pages (ok, a third page is ok if you really need it…but no more than that).

  • Please write your full name and email address. We will use this information to contact you.

  • Describe the problem you’re trying to solve and how your product/service is solving the problem

  • Identify your target customer and their use case(s). If the user is not the same as the customer, how are you making sure the user loves your product?

  • What’s your best ROI case for the value your product delivers?

  • If you have any early wins or indicators of product/market fit validation, you can list them. (Any awards, sales, revenue, investment, etc.)

*Applications are now closed. Thank you to everyone who applied! Stay tuned for future opportunities.

2024 Registration is Open!

Use the following form to nominate yourself or someone else.

If you have already been nominated and invited, please check your inbox for your special registration link and register ASAP. One of the defining features of the Gathering is that there are only 150 attendees that are invited for the full event.