About Main Event Season 1 Videos Timeline What's Next FAQs
Season 2 · August 2026

Rotary's answer to Shark Tank — built entirely for social good.

Rotary Clubs and their NGO partners pitch live to serious funders. Multi-stage screening. Coaching before you pitch. Pledges on the night.

See What's Next → Season 1 Impact
Organised by
RC Mumbai SOBORotary Club of Mumbai SOBO
RC Queen's NecklaceRotary Club of Queen's Necklace, Mumbai
RC Bombay BayviewRotary Club of Bombay Bayview
Rotary District 3141 Supported by Rotary District 3141, Mumbai
50+
Season 1 Applications
7
Projects Funded
₹1Cr+
Committed & Disbursed
100%
Funds to Projects
0
Overhead / Admin Cut
What is Whale Tank?

Where Capital Drives Change.

Not a charity gala. A structured capital platform for social impact.

Whale Tank is Rotary's answer to Shark Tank — built entirely for social good. Rotary Clubs and their NGO partners apply, get coached, and pitch live to a panel of serious funders. One night. Real decisions. Direct funding to the project.

Each project is sponsored and co-presented by a Rotary Club together with their NGO partner. Both pitch as a team to Whale Partners.

Multi-stage screening — jury review, then a Whale Pond shortlisting round before the Grand Finale.

Every shortlisted team receives a dedicated coaching session before the pitch. Preparation is built in.

Whale Partners pledge on the night. MOU signed within 2 weeks. 100% of every rupee goes directly to the project.

Main Event

Now Open for Applications.

Season 2 applications are now open. Junior Whale Tank — smaller funding rounds for Rotaractors and Interactors — will be announced and launched separately.

Season 2 · Now Open
Whale Tank
For: Rotary Clubs with their NGO Partners

Rotary Clubs co-present with their NGO partners, pitching live to Whale Partners at the Grand Finale. Rigorous jury review, Whale Pond shortlisting, a dedicated coaching session, and a 30-minute live pitch to secure direct funding.

Minimum Ask ₹10 Lakh
No upper limit — ask must be proportionate to project scope
Rules: Each Rotary Club may apply for a maximum of 2 projects. Projects must be sponsored by a Rotary Club — applications without a sponsoring club will not be accepted.
Applications Closed
🌊
Junior Whale Tank
Smaller funding rounds for Rotaractors and Interactors will be announced and launched separately.
The Process

From application to funding — every step structured.

01
Apply & Pay Fee

Submit your application with project details and ₹5,000 non-refundable fee via UPI QR code.

02
Jury Review & Whale Pond

Top 25–30 shortlisted projects present on Zoom. Jury selects 10–15 for the Grand Finale.

03
Coaching & Finale Pitch

Shortlisted teams receive coaching before the Grand Finale. Live 30-minute pitch to Whale Partners.

04
Pledges & MOU

Whale Partners pledge on the night. MOU signed within 2 weeks. Funds go directly to the project.

Where We Are

The Journey So Far.

✓ Done
Applications Received — Submissions closed. Thank you to all Rotary Clubs and NGO partners who applied.
Now — August 2026
Jury Review in Progress — Our jury is currently reviewing all applications. Top 20 will be invited for a VC Round with the Jury. Check your inbox — we have sent emails to all applicants.
August 29, 2026
Grand Finale — Top 10 projects pitch live to Whale Partners. Pledges made on the night.
Why Apply

Built different. By design.

Every element of Whale Tank is designed to maximise your chances of funding.

01
Rigorous Screening

Multi-stage jury review, Whale Pond shortlisting, and coaching before the pitch. Only the strongest projects reach the Grand Finale.

02
Coaching Before Money

Every shortlisted Rotary Club and NGO team gets a dedicated coaching session. Quality rises. Confidence shows.

03
Whale Partners Choose Directly

Whale Partners back specific projects they've heard pitch live — not a pool. Full control, full transparency.

04
100% to the Project

Every rupee pledged goes directly from the Whale Partner to the project. No overhead, no admin cut, no intermediary.

05
Speed

Pledges on the night. MOU within 2 weeks. No 6-month decision cycles. Projects get moving fast.

Proof It Works

Season 1 — 2022–23

Seven Rotary Club–sponsored projects. Four Whale Partners. Real funding. Lasting impact.

50+
Applications
7
Projects Funded
4
Whale Partners
₹1Cr+
Committed & Disbursed
01
MukkaMaar
Sponsored by RC Mumbai Rising Stars

Girls' empowerment and self-defence programme — protecting and empowering young women.

02
Prerana
Sponsored by RC Bombay Metropolitan

Emergency rehabilitation centre for minor girls — ending second-generation prostitution and human trafficking.

03
Mann
Sponsored by RC Queen's Necklace

Training adults with intellectual development disabilities for meaningful employment.

04
Go Shunya
Sponsored by RC Mumbai Versova

Zero-waste dry collection facility — sustainable waste management for communities.

05
Spine Surgeries Rural
Sponsored by RC SOBO

Spinal surgeries for rural underprivileged communities — restoring mobility and dignity.

06
STEM Labs
Sponsored by RC Bombay North

Electronics and automation labs for students — building India's next generation of innovators.

07
Swasth Foundation
Sponsored by RC Queen's Necklace

Primary healthcare centres for urban poor — accessible, dignified healthcare for all.

Several of these Rotary Club–Whale Partner relationships have continued beyond Season 1, amplifying the total impact well beyond the initial pledge.

Season 1 Whale Partners
Weizmann Group
Deutsche Bank
HDFC Credila
Systems+
Season 1 in Action

Watch the pitches. Feel the room.

Three films from Season 1.

Season 1
Episode 1
Season 1
Episode 2
Season 1
Episode 3
Before You Apply

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know — eligibility, process, fees, funding, and accountability.

Download the FAQ Document
29 questions answered — eligibility, funding mechanics, application fee, the pitch process, and the organiser disclaimer. Read before you apply.
⬇ Download FAQs (PDF)
Submissions Closed

Applications Closed.

Thank you to everyone who applied to Whale Tank 2026. Submissions are now closed and our jury is reviewing all applications.

🎉 Thank You for Applying to Whale Tank 2026!

We sincerely appreciate your interest and the time you have invested in your submission. Our Jury is currently reviewing all applications received.

We have sent an email to all applicants — please check your inbox and spam / junk folder.

What happens next:
📋  Top 20 applications selected by the Jury will be invited for a VC Round with the Jury
🏆  Following the VC Round, the Top 10 applications will advance to the Whale Tank Grand Finale
📅  Grand Finale scheduled for August 29, 2026
Questions? Write to us at contact@whaletank.co.in
✉  contact@whaletank.co.in

For queries regarding your application, write to us directly