A showcase for innovators, by innovators. We’re not doing “Innovation Theater” here. We’re making game-changing connections between startups/tech companies, investors and industry experts (navigators).
Our Mission
The WhaleTank supports novel solutions in reaching the market faster—because patients are waiting.
We aim to forge powerful connections between emerging solution companies and their ideal partners, whether they are customers, investors, strategic advisors, or industry collaborators.
The WhaleTank is not a one-off pitch event. It is a curated stream built to create momentum before, during, and after the Innovation Network Gathering. Every participating company should walk away with something tangible: actionable insights, meaningful connections, and practical steps forward.
Our mission is to help promising solutions move closer to real-world use in clinical research and life sciences.
What is the WhaleTank?
WhaleTank is not just a pitch competition. It is a curated experience for emerging solution companies building, launching new solutions in clinical trials and life sciences.
WhaleTank brings together innovators, pharma leaders, investors, service partners, customers, and expert navigators to help participating companies refine their market fit, pressure-test their message, and build meaningful relationships with the people who can help them move forward.
The WhaleTank ING 2026 Cohort
Companies join the WhaleTank stream as part of the Innovation Network Gathering. The program is designed to create value for all participating companies, and everyone in the cohort will get an opportunity to pitch to WhaleTank judges.
Registered startups are eligible to apply for the “Main Stage Pitching” Opportunity.
In order to provide a curated experience, the capacity of the cohort is limited.
Who should join?
The WhaleTank is designed for emerging solution companies in Clinical Trials, especially for the early-stage companies.
The WhaleTank is looking for solutions that are novel, valid, impactful and adoptable.
Why WhaleTank?
Customer-Centric Approach
We start with real industry needs. WhaleTank helps companies focus on problems that matter and solutions the market can actually use.
Diverse Stakeholder Involvement
We bring together the right people into the conversation: pharma representatives, investors, strategic advisors, providing participants a broader view to their solutions and more practical feedback.
Evaluation and Feedback
The program is built around thoughtful review, meaningful conversation, and actionable insight. Whether or not companies pitch on Main stage, the goal is for every participant to leave with clearer next step and stronger connections.
Whale Tank started with a simple question:
What’s a startup program we’d actually want to be part of?
Something that doesn’t feel like a waste of time. Something you walk away from with real takeaways—where participation itself feels worth it, not just winning.
That’s why we think of it as a tune-up workshop, not a competition.
So how do we do that?
We bring together the right people. Our steering committee and judges are made up of sponsors, investors and startup founders, who are actively exploring new ideas, and participate with the intention to help and guide, not just evaluate.
And we design every part of the experience to be useful. For the companies pitching, for the judges, for the mentors, and even for those observing. Each session is intentionally curated to encourage participation, meaningful feedback, and well-matched conversations.
“This kind of course guidance, driven by a thirty-minute conversation with people who’ve built and funded companies through these exact inflection points, is something very hard to get as a first-time founder. So thank you for doing what you do!”
The ING2026 Cohort Experience
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Discounted rate to access the full ING experience
Companies receive access to the ING at a dedicated innovator rate (50% discount).
Participants will have access to full ING experience including Main Stage Talks, Conversational Lunches, networking with the Innovation Network Community.
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Founder and solution-focused programming
The stream includes activities designed to help companies refine their message, strengthen their positioning, and prepare for meaningful conversations with stakeholders.
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Intentional Networking
Participants connect with judges, pharma leaders, investors, navigators, and other people who care about helping new solutions move forward.
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Pitch to WhaleTank Judges
All companies get a chance to pitch to the WhaleTank judges. WhaleTank is committed to making sure all companies who participate receive value.
Due to limited time on Main Stage, A select few companies will receive a chance to pitch on Main Stage. (More info below)
What you receive by joining the WhaleTank ING 2026 cohort:
Exclusive discounted rate for startups that provides access to the invitation-only Innovation Network Gathering (ING) 2026. (We do not want cost to be a barrier. Please contact us if your company needs additional support.)
Full ING experience
Main Stage Talks, conversational lunches, attendee formal reception, and the broader ING community.
Whale Tank application review and feedback
After registration, you will receive the Whale Tank application form. Companies that submit the form will be reviewed by Whale Tank judges and receive feedback from the application review process.
Pitch Workshop with WhaleTank Navigators and Judges
Intentional networkingwith the WhaleTank judges including pharma leaders, investors, and industry experts who are exited founders or have experience at a pharma company.
Pitch opportunities
All companies get to pitch to WhaleTank judges through cohort programming
Limited pitching slots on the Main Stage. Three ways to be on the main stage (More details below)
Being selected as a finalist through the WhaleTank vetting procedure (by submitting application form to be a WhaleTank finalist)
Being selected in Day 1 during the pitch workshop (Thunder Talk)
By a spinning wheel (Thunder Talk)
Pitch Opportunities
WhaleTank is dedicated to making sure all participants receive meaningful value by participating in the program. All startups will have access to a highly regarded pitch workshop where companies can refine their message followed by an opportunity to pitch to WhaleTank judges.
Everyone will receive a chance to pitch. The Main Stage pitching opportunity is offered to a limited, select number of companies. We provide the following ways for a select number of companies to pitch on Main Stage as an additional benefit.
How companies may reach the Main Stage:
1 - Vetted through the WhaleTank Finalist Selection Process
After the registration, companies will receive access to the WhaleTank Main Stage Pitch application. Top companies selected through a separate review process to pitch as WhaleTank finalists. These companies will receive a 4-minute pitch on Main Stage with slides, Pitch prep and mentoring before the event, and a Whale Bowl (a roundtable with pharma, investor, and navigators).
🚨 Application to pitch on Main Stage as a Finalist closes August 12th! Please read the details carefully to understand the selection process, and register with enough time to complete the application form before the review process begins.
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1 - Register to ING
2 - Submit application to be considered as a finalist (closes 8/12)
3 - Selected applicants will participate in an interview
4 - Finalists will be selected from the interview process
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7/22-8/12 - Application window (3 weeks)
8/24-8/26 - Interview window
9/2-9/4 - Orientation & Pitch Workshop (one of the dates)
9/7-9/18 - 1:1 mentoring with Navigator/Pitch Coach
9/23-9/25 - Final Online rehearsal (one of the dates)
9/30 - Submit final pitch deck
10/5-10/8 - Innovation Network Gathering 2026
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Pitch Preparation
Orientation and Pitch Workshop
1:1 Mentoring with a Navigator/Pitch Coach
Online rehearsal
Pitch on Main Stage at ING 2026
Dedicated Whale Bowls
The Whale Bowls is a dedicated session where Whales(biopharma), investors and navigators (exited founders, industry experts) engage in in-depth conversations with the presenting companies.
Each Whale Bowl – each little Bowl is candid, in-depth conversation with founders, biopharma, investors, and industry experts to get to the hard part. It is a chance to dig in to find market needs and product fit. It is not just to evaluate, but to find answers and give key feedback from biopharma.
Insight Report
Follow up meeting with at least 1 Pharma
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*The application will be sent once you are registered for ING.
Please register with enough time to complete the application form before the review process begins.
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Application Questions:
Problem
Solution
Evidence
Differentitation
Market-product fit validation
Metrics & ROI
Target Customer and/or user
Business model, solution market & adoption
Team & Partners
Barrier & needs
Pitch deck (required)
2 - Give a Thunder Talk
A Thunder Talk is a shorter format pitches, developed in order to provide more pitching opportunities to the WhaleTank cohort companies. The format will be a 2-minute pitch with no slides and Q&A.
It is a great opportunity to pitch to a broader audience at the Innovation Network Gathering, where the attendees are by invitation and nomination only.
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On Day 1, there will be a pitch workshop for all companies, followed by pitching opportunity to WhaleTank judges.
The top companies from the pitch session will receive a chance to give a Thunder Talk.
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Limited slots are allocated for live spinning wheel selection on-site.
This is to provide an opportunity for any companies to have a chance to pitch on Main Stage.
Organizations Represented by Past WhaleTank Judges
(ING 2026 Judge & Review Committee will be added soon)
What Founders Loved
“It has proven transformative”
Angela Holmes, OmniScience
The insights and advice on our messaging and G2M by our advisors and judges, and the subsequent follow up meetings has been incredibly valuable. The messaging that evolved from Whale Tank has helped us achieve significant milestones — being accepted into life science accelerator program, generating numerous active sales leads and winning a showcase competition at another industry conference. The media coverage and our recent wins have sparked growing interest from investors. I am grateful.
“We felt the team’s love and passion for the industry”
Brad Pruitt, Kenosha AI
All the feedback and prep sessions were very helpful and appreciated. The group feedback session after the pitch was excellent. The feedback form was also very helpful as well as getting the contacts of those interested in followups. We all felt the love and passion for the industry and willingness to help startups. Thank you!
“Great opportunity to pitch directly to customers”
Hannah Sieber, Artyc
The production value, coaching, and support for Whale Tank was awesome - all the coaches were incredibly supportive and thoughtful in their commentary. The TedX style production value made it easy to present and created a valuable digital asset. Whale Tank is a great opportunity for founders building in the clinical space to pitch their idea directly to buyers!
Past Presenting Companies
Join the WhaleTank ING 2026 Cohort
Companies join the WhaleTank cohort by registering for the Innovation Network Gathering through the WhaleTank registration page.
Once registration is complete, the WhaleTank application form will be sent to you. This form helps us learn more about your company and solution, confirm your participation in the WhaleTank stream, and review your company for potential Main Stage finalist selection.
(If you are registered to ING who wants to join the WhaleTank stream, please contact info@innovationgathering.network.)
To complete your WhaleTank cohort participation, you will need to:
Register for ING at the Startup Rate
Submit the WhaleTank application form once it is sent to you
After both steps are complete, your company will be part of the WhaleTank cohort and eligible for cohort programming, intentional networking, and consideration for WhaleTank pitch opportunities.
Turn your idea into market-proven success
October 5-8, 2026
at the annual Innovation Network Gathering
PatientPartner: Connecting clinical trial patients with experienced mentors that have been through the journey — improving enrollment, retention, and trust.
Connecting clinical trial patients with experienced mentors that have been through the journey — improving enrollment, retention, and trust.
PatientPartner is a patient engagement platform designed to improve patient enrollment and retention for pharma study teams. The technology fosters meaningful, peer-to-peer connections between new patients (mentees) and experienced patients (mentors), offering firsthand insights into the clinical trial experience. These personalized interactions empower patients to take a proactive role in their healthcare journey, resulting in increased enrollment, stronger retention, and greater confidence in treatment decisions.