1. Introduction
Welcome to WhaleTank, an event platform organized by WT FABA Biocatalyst LLP (“we” or “the Organizers”). These Terms and Conditions govern your use of our website (www.whaletank.in) and your participation in WhaleTank events. By registering or attending our event, you agree to abide by these terms. Please read them carefully before proceeding.
2. Eligibility and Registration
WhaleTank events are designed for startup teams and entrepreneurs. By registering, you confirm that: – You are a founder or authorized representative of a startup eligible to pitch in front of investors. – All information you provide during registration (e.g. name, contact details, startup details, pitch deck) is truthful and accurate. – You have the legal capacity to enter into this agreement. Participants must be adults (age of majority in your jurisdiction) to register. Minors are not permitted unless expressly approved in writing by the Organizers.
3. Fees and Payment
To register for a WhaleTank event, startups must pay a registration fee (as specified on the website or registration form). All payments are processed through our secure payment gateway (Razorpay) and must be made in full at the time of registration. The registration fee is non-refundable under all circumstances (see Section 6, Refund Policy). We do not accept cash or partial payments; only online payments via the provided Razorpay link are accepted. Payment details and security are described in our Privacy Policy below (see Payment Processing).
4. Selection of Startups
Payment of the registration fee does not guarantee the opportunity to pitch at the event. After registration, the Organizers will review all startup applications and shortlist a limited number of startups to pitch on stage. Shortlisting is based on criteria such as innovation, business viability, and relevance to the event’s investor focus, at the Organizers’ sole discretion. All applicants will be informed ahead of the event whether or not they have been selected (shortlisted) to pitch. By registering, you agree to accept the selection decision as final and not subject to dispute.
5. Participation and Benefits
Regardless of selection outcome, all registered startups receive benefits from the event:
- Shortlisted Startups: If your startup is shortlisted, you will be invited to pitch your business idea in front of the panel of venture capital investors at the WhaleTank event. In addition, your team will have full access to the event, including opportunities to network with other startups and investors, and participation in all event activities. Complimentary lunch and dinner during the event days will be provided for your team as part of the registration benefits.
- Non-Shortlisted Startups: If your startup is not selected to pitch on stage, you will still receive valuable opportunities
- Investor Exposure: Your submitted pitch deck and startup information will be forwarded to the investors and judges who are part of WhaleTank. This ensures that even without pitching live, your startup gains visibility with the investment community (though no live pitch, investors may review your deck separately).
- Event Access: You are welcome to attend the event as a participant.You will have access to network with other startup founders, industry experts, and the attending VC investors during networking sessions.
- Meals: You will also be provided the same complimentary lunch and dinner during the event.
These benefits are provided to all registered startups to ensure everyone
gains value from the WhaleTank event.
6. Refund Policy
All registration fees are strictly non-refundable. Once you have registered and paid the fee, you cannot cancel your participation for a refund, regardless of whether your startup is shortlisted or not. The non- refundable policy applies because we incur costs and provide value to all participants (including those not pitching) through networking access, investor review of pitch decks, and catering arrangements. Please consider this policy carefully before registering, as “all sales are final” with no refunds. In the unlikely event that the Organizers themselves cancel the event entirely, we will inform participants of any potential remedies (such as rescheduling or credits) at our discretion, but otherwise no refunds will be issued for any other scenario.
7. Participant Obligations and Code of Conduct
By participating in WhaleTank, you agree to conduct yourself professionally and respectfully
- Accurate Information: You must submit only true and up-to-date information about your startup. You affirm that you have the rights to all content in your pitch deck and application, and that it does not infringe any third-party intellectual property. If any third-party content is included, you have obtained the necessary permissions.
- Behavior: During the event, you will behave in a courteous, respectful manner towards all attendees, investors, organizers, and staff. Harassment, discrimination, or disruptive behavior is not tolerated. The Organizers reserve the right to remove anyone from the event (without refund) for unacceptable conduct.
- Compliance: You will comply with all instructions of the event staff and adhere to venue rules or any security/safety guidelines announced. Failure
to follow guidelines may result in your removal from the venue without any compensation.
8. Intellectual Property and Publicity Rights
Ownership: You retain ownership of the intellectual property in your pitch and startup idea. The Organizers do NOT claim any ownership over your
business idea, code, product, or pitch materials. However, by participating, you grant us certain usage rights as described below.
- Use of Submission: By submitting your pitch deck and related materials, you grant the Organizers a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, and distribute those materials solely for purposes of the event. This includes sharing your pitch deck and information with the official panel of investors and judges for evaluation. All information provided by you in connection with the event may be used by any bona fide potential investor participating in WhaleTank to evaluate a potential investment in your startup, and the Organizers shall have no liability for sharing such information with the investor panel. In other words, you agree that we can share your provided information with investors, and we are not responsible for how investors may use or rely on that information during or after the event.
- Publicity Release: By participating in the WhaleTank event, you grant the Organizers and our partners the right to photograph, ideotape, or otherwise record you and your team during the event, and to use your name, startup name, likeness, image, voice, and any
statements or quotes from you for promotional and publicity purposes related to WhaleTank. We may use these in media (e.g. event highlight videos, press releases, social media posts, or future marketing materials) without any further compensation or notice to you, and you consent to such use. This publicity license is limited to content in connection with WhaleTank and is not a blanket endorsement use – it’s meant to showcase the event and participants in a positive light.
- No Confidentiality: The WhaleTank event is a public forum. You understand that any information you disclose in your pitch or discussions at the event will not be treated as confidential by us or by the investors/attendees. Do not disclose any proprietary information or trade secrets that you are not comfortable sharing publicly. The Organizers are not liable for anyone in the audience using or revealing information from your pitch. You are responsible for protecting your own intellectual property (such as by patents nondisclosures outside the event) if needed before pitching.
- Representations and Indemnity: You represent and warrant that you have the right to use all materials and content in your pitch. If any third-party content is included (images, logos, etc.), you have obtained appropriate permissions or licenses. You agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Organizers (and their partners) from any claims or liabilities arising from intellectual property infringement or misuse related to the materials you provided or presented. Essentially, if your content violates someone else’s rights, you will be responsible for any consequences, not the Organizers.
9. Limitation of Liability
- No Guarantee of Investment: WhaleTank aims to connect startups with potential investors, but we do not guarantee that any startup will secure funding or investment as a result of participating. The outcomes of pitches depend solely on the investors’ decisions and interest. We make no warranties or representations regarding the likelihood of securing investment or any business deal through this event.
- Indirect Damages: Under no circumstances will the Organizers (or their directors, employees, or partners) be liable for any indirect or consequential damages such as loss of opportunity, lost profits, or damage to reputation arising from your participation in Whale Tank. Participation is at your own risk, and you assume full responsibility for any outcomes.
- Event Operation: We are not liable for events beyond our control that may impact the event’s success, such as venue issues, technical failures, or force majeure events (e.g., natural disasters, strikes, pandemics) that could cause changes or cancellations. (See Section 10 below for event cancellation policy.) If the event is disrupted due to reasons beyond our reasonable control, we will make efforts to mitigate the impact but will not be held liable for resulting costs or losses.
- Cap on Liability: To the maximum extent permitted by law, the total liability of the Organizers for any claim arising out of your participation is limited to the amount of the registration fee you paid (if any). In jurisdictions that do not allow exclusion or limitation of liability for certain damages, our liability will be limited to the smallest amount permitted by law.
10. Event Changes and Cancellation
The Organizers reserve the right to modify the event schedule or format as necessary. We may change the venue, timing, speakers, or agenda and will notify participants of any significant changes via email or updates on our website. In case of insufficient registrations or any unforeseen circumstances, we also reserve the right to cancel or postpone the WhaleTank event. If the event is postponed, your registration will be valid for the rescheduled date; if it is canceled outright by us, we will communicate any potential refund or credit options (if applicable) at that time. Outside of an official cancellation by the Organizers, the no-refund policy (Section 6) remains in effect.
11. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
12. Contact Information
If you have questions or require assistance regarding these Terms and Conditions or the WhaleTank event, please contact us:
- Organizers: WT FABA Biocatalyst LLP
- Address: Plot No. 24, SY 74/6, Balamrai Co-op HSG Society,
- Email: coo@whaletank.in
- Website: www.whaletank.in
Please feel free to reach out for any clarifications. By proceeding with registration or attending the event, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to these Terms and Conditions.