Where Emerging Innovations and Global Decision-Makers Meet
The LIFT Series at DIA 2026 gives early-stage innovators a focused space to test ideas, stress-test strategy, and connect with the global ecosystem.
June 14-18, 2026 | Philadelphia, PA
The Whale Tank at DIA
The Whale Tank at DIA is a customer-first pitch program where founders hear real customers validate – or challenge – value in real time. Built by founders, for founders, Whale Tank showcases the most compelling therapeutic, drug discovery, and clinical development innovations to a highly targeted audience of potential customers, strategic partners, regulators and investors.
Unlike most pitch competitions, Whale Tank prioritizes market validation and cross-sector feedback. Founders get real input from real industry stakeholders – often leading to high-quality follow-up meetings with potential clients, strategic partners, and investors.
The program combines rigorous pitch preparation with live exposure at DIA's Global Annual Meeting, where 4,100+ global attendees convene, creating a platform for companies poised to scale.
View LIFT Program ↗
What Past Participants Have Earned
- ✓ Confirmed customer meetings to sharpen use case and paths to pilots or partnerships
- ✓ Targeted investor introductions and follow-up meetings
- ✓ Strengthened pitch narratives informed by real-world market feedback
- ✓ Strategy refinement advice from former founders, regulators, and implementers
- 🐋 Stuffed whales (the fluffy kind)
Who Should Apply
We invite early-stage life sciences innovators developing novel solutions across the drug development lifecycle, including companies advancing:
Clintech
Technologies and services supporting clinical research and development
Clintech Application →Pitch Categories
Biological & Biomedical Innovations (Biotech)
Focus areas
We welcome biological, biomedical, and data-driven innovations with strong potential for patient or ecosystem impact:
- Modalities & solution types of interest: Therapeutic development (small molecule, RNA, biologic, cell or gene therapy); Novel biologics and emerging modalities (e.g., ADCs, multispecific antibodies); AI-native biology or drug discovery platforms; Discovery and preclinical enabling technologies; Diagnostics and early detection; Biomarkers and companion diagnostics; Biomedical devices (non-trial-operations); and biomedical data or computational biology platforms (e.g., multiomics, translational data, AI-enabled pathology or imaging), Digital and consumer health.
- Disease areas of interest: Oncology; Rare Disease; Infectious Disease; Metabolic & Obesity; Cardiovascular; Neurodegenerative & Neurological; Immunology & Autoimmune; or platform technologies not tied to a single indication.
Funding Stage // Development Phase
Eligible companies are early stage, with a demonstrated pathway toward regulatory engagement and real-world impact. Dedicated review panels will be formed to connect pitching companies with the right investors, pharma partners, and navigators. Including:
- Preclinical & Clinical Phase 1 // typically grouped with Seed through Series A funding
- Clinical Phase 2 & Phase 3 // typically Series B funding and beyond
Tech & Services for Clinical Development (Clintech)
Focus areas
Clinical trial design and operations; Patient recruitment, engagement, and retention; Data platforms, analytics, and AI; Regulatory, quality, and trial infrastructure.
Includes companies such as:
- Clinical trial software and technology platforms
- AI-driven decision-support tools
- Service and infrastructure providers supporting trial execution
- Regulatory and submission support solutions
Funding Stage & Development Readiness
Eligible stages include:
- Pre-Seed through Series A: Including solutions in pilot, early deployment, or initial commercialization
- Recently Launched Solutions: Companies with products launched within the past year, where market validation and scaling strategy remain core questions
Why Participate?
Gain strategic advantages that accelerate your path to market success.
Market-Product Fit Approach
Refine your value proposition through structured feedback from industry experts who understand regulatory requirements, clinical development pathways, and commercialization strategies.
Expert-Guided Pitch Development
Work directly with experienced mentors to craft compelling presentations that resonate with investors, biopharma partners, and regulatory decision-makers.
Industry Exposure
Present your innovation to leading pharmaceutical and healthcare companies, investors, and industry decision-makers.
Expert Mentorship
Receive valuable feedback from experienced judges who are leaders in regulatory affairs, clinical development, and commercialization.
Partnership Opportunities
Connect with potential partners, investors, and collaborators who can help accelerate your path to market.
Start-Up, Applicant and Finalist Experience
Applicants receive an additional discount to the DIA Global Annual Meeting.
Apply ASAP to maximize your chances!
Apply early to maximize your chances of being selected as a finalist, receive a more tailored review process, thorough pitch preparation, and customized roundtable placement.
Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and the window will close once maximum capacity is reached. Finalist spots are limited in order to provide a highly curated experience.
Finalist Selection Process Overview
After an initial application review, selected applicants will be invited to complete a more detailed questionnaire and participate in an interview.
Finalists will receive structured pitch and roundtable preparation, including guidance from Navigators ahead of the event.
What's Included
- ✓ Access to focused, practical Biotech & start-up focused workshops
- ✓ VC case studies & Industry-specific fundraising sessions
- ✓ Vendor evaluation & go-to-market strategy guidance
- ✓ Pitch preparation workshops
- ✓ Included offsite evening networking opportunity with fellow founders and ecosystem leaders
What to Expect as an Attendee?
Startup Benefits
Discounted registration and access to the entire DIA Global Annual Meeting, Biotech focused education session, networking events. Whale Tank pitch applicants receive an additional discount.
Who Will Be There?
Pharmaceutical and biotech organizations, drug development partners and CROs, experienced founders with successful exits, regulatory experts and former agency leaders, venture capital and strategic investors.
Apply Now
*Applicants must register for the DIA Global meeting for consideration. Applicants receive a discounted registration rate.
Registration & Participation Rates
*Special startup rate that provides access to all sessions, panels, and networking across DIA 2026
**Applicants must register for the DIA Global meeting for consideration. Applicants receive a discounted registration rate.
Executive Participation
Early commitment from these executives with more coming
LIFT Series Programming Highlights
A curated mix of sessions, pitches, and networking to accelerate both Builders & Emerging Innovators and the broader ecosystem.
Biotech and Clinitech Programming
Two focused days of content designed to unpack real-world challenges in regulation, development, evidence, and access for early stage ventures.
Learn More ↗LIFT Pitch Opportunities
Selected teams will present live at DIA2026 and participate in curated roundtable discussions with expert advisors focused on product–market fit, investment strategy, and regulatory considerations.
Learn More ↗Networking & Matchmaking
Guided networking formats and informal meetups connect Builders & Emerging Innovators with investors, biopharma, regulators, and other key stakeholders.
Build relationships with decision-makers across the healthcare ecosystem, embedded within the full DIA 2026 meeting experience.
Where Finalists Present
DIA 2026 Global Annual Meeting
Collaborating for Healthcare Innovation
Competition finalists will pitch their innovations live at DIA 2026 in Philadelphia. Join healthcare and life sciences professionals for five days of collaboration, innovation, and actionable outcomes.
- Live pitch sessions with expert judging panel
- Exposure to industry leaders and investors
- Networking with global healthcare professionals
Philadelphia, PA
Ready to Elevate Your Innovation with LIFT?
Join us at the DIA 2026 Global Annual Meeting and tap into a global community of experts, partners, and investors who can help bring your innovation to patients faster and more responsibly.