# Whale Tank 2026 | Tulum Innovation Fest Source: https://www.tuluminnovationfest.com/whale-tank Updated: 2026-10-09 Whale Tank 2026 · Applications open The Startup Investment Readiness Program of Tulum Innovation Fest # They need to be ready for it. Whale Tank prepares founders to sharpen the company, the story and the fundraising strategy — then puts them in the room with investors and ecosystem leaders. [Apply to Whale Tank](https://gust.com/programs/whale-tank-2026-powered-by-parquetec) [See the founder journey](#program) Applications close in 00 00 00 00 October 15, 2026 · 11:59 p.m. Mexico City time · Applying is free 30startups selected 5finalists on the main stage 8+countries represented by mentors + investors $150K–3Mtarget fundraising range [Enter the program](#signal) ## Whale Tank community Contxto Anáhuac Tecnológico de Monterrey PRO Network Mundo Ejecutivo Soy Emprendedor Geektime Techla Prenseable Startups Latam abe. QROOM.BIZ AWS Chris Roe Startuplinks Gust Impacta.vc Dalus Capital Arkangeles AngelHub 401 Accelerator CatalizaLab Andrés Nájera M75 Startups Asociación Internacional Red Business Market Tiendanube ParqueTec México Family Office Network (FON) Soglowek Capital Notion Capital is not the first problem ## The real gap is investment readiness. 01 ### Preparation Build a company narrative that survives investor questions: problem, solution, market, traction, team and fundraising ask. 02 ### Repetition Pitch. Feedback. Pitch again. Simulations, Q&A and reviews expose weak points before the room matters. 03 ### Access Investor roundtables, one-on-one meetings and introductions to venture funds, family offices, CVCs and strategic partners. A founder journey, not a pitch contest ## From startup signal to investor-ready company. Whale Tank combines mentoring, business preparation, pitch training, networking and investor matchmaking inside Tulum Innovation Fest 2026. 01 ### Business + market readiness Problem validation, customer discovery, business model, market clarity and go-to-market strategy. 02 ### Investment readiness Fundraising strategy, growth logic and the structure needed to present the company coherently to capital. 03 ### Pitch, feedback, pitch again Mock pitches, pitch preparation, Q&A drills and repeated feedback from people who understand the room. 04 ### Investor matchmaking Curated introductions, roundtables and one-on-one conversations with investors and strategic ecosystem partners. 05 ### Final stage at Tulum Innovation Fest Five finalists present in front of VC funds, angel investors, family offices, CVCs, innovation leaders, media and the festival community. The right room matters ## The work happens before the introduction. Mentors and investors from more than eight countries participate across venture capital, growth, product, fundraising, corporate innovation and legal + investment structures. 1:1 MentoringWorkshopsOffice HoursPitch ReviewsInvestor RoundtablesStrategic Introductions Meet the investors ## Capital starts with the right conversation. Meet the investors joining Whale Tank to evaluate opportunities, challenge assumptions and connect with founders building for scale. [ Josu Gomez ### Josu Gomez ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/josu-gomez-barrutia-4bb43a63/) [ Pamela Jramoy ### Pamela Jramoy ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamela-jramoy-6b15905/) [ Mati Barbero ### Mati Barbero ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/matibarbero/) [ Ale Bustos ### Ale Bustos ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/alebustos/) [ Diego Serebrisky ### Diego Serebrisky ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/diegoserebrisky/) [ Santiago Tamayo ### Santiago Tamayo ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/santiagotamayodaza-01/) [ Gregorio Londoño ### Gregorio Londoño ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregorio-londono-soto/) [ Mario García ### Mario García ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/marioagarciad/) [ David Alvo ### David Alvo ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidalvo/) [ Ron Oliver ### Ron Oliver ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronoliveroliver/) Meet the mentors ## Guidance from people who know the room. Operators and advisors who help founders pressure-test the business, sharpen the pitch and prepare for high-value investor conversations. [ Chris Roe ### Chris Roe ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisroecoach/) [ Alex Santana ### Alex Santana ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexsantanag/) [ Abraham (Abe) Ramos ### Abraham (Abe) Ramos ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/abe-ramos-p/) [ Andrés Nájera ### Andrés Nájera ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/andresnajerap/) [ Paulina de la Garza ### Paulina de la Garza ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulinadelagar/) Who should apply ## We are not looking for ideas on a napkin. The program is designed for startups that already have enough signal to benefit from serious capital preparation. [Check your fit + apply](https://gust.com/programs/whale-tank-2026-powered-by-parquetec) ✓ ### Working product or MVP You can show something real, not only a concept. ✓ ### Demonstrable traction Users, customers, pilots or meaningful partnerships. ✓ ### Scalable business model A credible path to grow beyond a local opportunity. ✓ ### Global growth potential The company can expand across markets or categories. ✓ ### Raising USD $150K–$3M A defined capital need and a reason to raise now. ✓ ### Founder availability At least one founder can participate through the program. Selection funnel ## Apply free. Earn your way to the final room. ApplicationsFree to apply → 30startups enter the Investment Readiness Program → 5finalists pitch at the festival Applying is free. Startups selected for the program confirm their place with a participation fee. [See fees and terms ↓](#terms) October 15, 2026 December 9–12 · Tulum [Start your application](https://gust.com/programs/whale-tank-2026-powered-by-parquetec) Founder Full Experience · Selected startups ## Access to opportunity. Applying is free. Startups selected for Whale Tank confirm their place with the Founder Full Experience. The USD 3,300 acceleration scholarship is fully covered by the Main Sponsor / Program Partners, and the VIP / Executive upgrade is a complimentary benefit for reaching this stage. Prepare Connect Position Present Access to capital Full program value USD 5,800 Your founder experience Private accommodation with breakfast Round-trip airport transfers to/from Tulum Transfers between venues Admission to Tulum Innovation Fest and the Whale Tank program Welcome Kit Onsite coordination and operations Acceleration & preparation · 100% scholarship Founder Accelerator Program Mentorship with specialists, founders and investors Pitch Training & Storytelling Investment Readiness Sessions Investor presentations and the opportunity to advance to the Whale Tank Final Showcase Positioning, communications and exposure within the TIF ecosystem VIP experience · our gift to you VIP hospitality area Tulum Lujo Descalzo Cocktail Gala Executive networking Additional team member · USD 1,000 per person From the second member of the same startup: shared accommodation with the principal participant, breakfast, airport and venue transfers, festival and Whale Tank access, team acceleration and mentorship activities, Welcome Kit and onsite coordination. The fee applies per person, even when sharing a room. Access to capital USD 1.5M–3M In investment letters of intent. Whale Tank facilitates investor presentations, strategic networking and continued investment conversations after the festival. Investment is subject to selection, evaluation, due diligence and each investor’s final decision. Success fee 5% As incubator and facilitator, the Whale Tank team receives a 5% success fee on each investment actually received by the startup and secured through its efforts, under the participation agreement. ### Terms & conditions Whale Tank Program · participation terms 01 This offer is for startups selected for Whale Tank. Selection for the program does not guarantee a place in the Final Showcase. Advancement follows the program evaluation process; payment does not buy an investment outcome. 02 The principal participant package is valued at USD 5,800. Main Sponsor / Program Partners cover a USD 3,300 acceleration scholarship, leaving USD 2,500 payable by the startup. The scholarship covers program services; it is not an investment in the startup. 03 The package includes private accommodation, breakfast, round-trip airport transfers and transfers between venues. The booking confirmation must specify the hotel, check-in/out dates, included nights and transfer schedule. Festival dates alone do not define the accommodation period. 04 Each additional member of the same startup pays USD 1,000, including when sharing the room of the principal participant. The complimentary VIP upgrade replaces the standard festival access; the USD 1,500 figure is the VIP pass value. 05 USD 1.5M–3M in letters of intent is not guaranteed funding or an allocation per startup. Investment depends on evaluation, due diligence and investor approval. Whale Tank receives 5% of each investment actually received and secured through its efforts, under the participation agreement. 06 Ticket details must match the ID of the attendee. Optional or capacity-limited experiences require the appropriate access and availability. Session times and program arrangements may change; the organizer will communicate material updates and applicable options. The included benefits remain as described in this offer. 07 For purchases through Ticket Fairy, the event-specific purchase conditions and platform policies apply, subject to applicable law. Refunds depend on organizer terms; platform service fees are generally non-refundable unless law requires otherwise. Ticket resale is available only if enabled. Direct Whale Tank payments require their own written cancellation terms. 08 Whale Tank participation, hospitality and the investment success fee are program-specific conditions. Ticket Fairy processes ticket purchases; it does not provide the acceleration program or guarantee capital. Program and booking questions: innovation@likegroup.io. [Ticket Fairy terms of sale ↗](https://www.ticketfairy.com/terms-of-sale?locale=en) [Refund policy ↗](https://www.ticketfairy.com/resources/pdf/TFRefundPolicyAndTermsOfSale.pdf) [innovation@likegroup.io](mailto:innovation@likegroup.io?subject=Whale%20Tank%202026) Tulum Innovation Fest ecosystem Inside Tulum Innovation Fest ## Not a conventional conference. Not a conventional startup competition. Whale Tank happens inside a broader platform where founders, investors, builders and global communities meet around innovation, AI, capital, future cities, culture and new economies. [Explore Tulum Innovation Fest →](https://www.tuluminnovationfest.com/) FAQ ## Before you apply. The application is free. Selection is curated and submitting does not guarantee acceptance. Selected startups confirm their place with a participation fee. Not in the traditional sense. It is a founder journey combining investment readiness, mentorship, pitch preparation, networking and investor matchmaking, culminating in a final presentation. You should have a working product or MVP, demonstrable traction, a scalable business model and global growth potential. The current target range for applicants is USD $150K to USD $3M. Thirty startups enter the Investment Readiness Program. The journey includes mentoring, workshops, pitch reviews and investor preparation. Five finalists present during Tulum Innovation Fest. The call for applications is open until October 15, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Mexico City time. Applying is free. Selected startups confirm their place with the Founder Full Experience: USD 2,500 for the principal participant (program value USD 5,800, with a USD 3,300 acceleration scholarship covered by the Main Sponsor / Program Partners) and USD 1,000 per additional team member. It includes accommodation, transfers, festival and Whale Tank access, and a complimentary VIP / Executive upgrade. Yes. As incubator and facilitator, the Whale Tank team receives a 5% success fee on each investment actually received by the startup and secured through its efforts, under the participation agreement. No. The USD 1.5M–3M in letters of intent is not guaranteed funding or an allocation per startup. Investment depends on evaluation, due diligence and each investor’s final decision, and payment does not buy an investment outcome. Applications are open ## Meet your whales. If you are building something with the potential to transform an industry, put it in front of the right people. [Apply to Whale Tank 2026](https://gust.com/programs/whale-tank-2026-powered-by-parquetec) [Back to Tulum Innovation Fest](https://www.tuluminnovationfest.com/) Applications close in 00 00 00 00 October 15, 2026 · 11:59 p.m. Mexico City time · Applying is free