Forward Fest 2025

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9:00am CDT

DevFest

Tuesday August 19, 2025 9:00am - 4:00pm CDT

DevFest WI is an inclusivity-themed conference for any and all folks in tech. Now in our seventh year, we're returning again to the beautiful UW Memorial Union for a day filled with a wide variety of talks on topics related to building inclusive and accessible products, teams, and environments.

Hosted by Women In Tech / GDG

Event Organizers

Jillana Kelly

Forward Fest Board

Sponsors

GDG

Tuesday August 19, 2025 9:00am - 4:00pm CDT
University of Wisconsin Memorial Union 800 Langdon St, Madison, WI 53706

Premium, In Person (DevFest)

Host Organization Women In Tech / GDG
Category Tech / Software
Interaction Type Conference, Social

3:00pm CDT

Pressure Chamber 2025

Tuesday August 19, 2025 3:00pm - 6:00pm CDT

The Sylvee

Check out our Website

SEPARATE REGISTRATION REQUIRED FOR ALL ATTENDEES - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Free for Greater Madison Chamber Members and Forward Fest Pass Holders | $30 for Non-Members

Pressure Chamber returns for its 12th year as emerging companies pitch for the coveted "golden suitcase" and a reserved spot in the Chamber's exclusive Greater Madison startup meetings with top Silicon Valley investment firms this fall.

Participating companies will present in front of a panel of national investors and a live audience, with the winning company chosen based on a combination of judges' scoring and audience votes.

Thank you to Presenting Sponsor Michael Best; Supporting Sponsors State of Wisconsin Investment Board, Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF), UW–Madison Office of Business Engagement and Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation; Reception Sponsor Fetch; Registration Sponsor TruStage; Voting Sponsor Associated Bank; Community Sponsors JP Cullen and The Gialamas Company, Inc.; Investor Sponsors 4490 Ventures, Baird Capital, Idea Fund and Rock River Capital Partners; and Venue Sponsor FPC Live.

Hosted by the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce.

Event Organizers

Sharla Rowe

Events Coordinator, Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce

Tuesday August 19, 2025 3:00pm - 6:00pm CDT
The Sylvee 25 S Livingston St, Madison, WI 53703

Premium, In Person

Host Organization Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce
Category Bio / Health, Social Good, Tech / Software, Business
Interaction Type Happy Hour, Social, Live Pitches

4:30pm CDT

AIpocalypse? The tectonic moment for brand and creativity in the time of Artificial General Intelligence and beyond

Tuesday August 19, 2025 4:30pm - 6:00pm CDT

SPEAK STUDIO HQ at The Hub @

Optimist or pessimist? Architect or casualty? The world is changing—now—and creativity, branding, and identity will never be the same.

AIpocalypse is a bold, live-studio experience hosted by technologist and thought leader **Matt Boatright-Simon**, joined by a powerhouse lineup of visionary artists, strategists, futurists, and AI experts. Together, they explore the radical disruption—and unexpected possibility—AI brings to the creative world.

Will humanity be rendered obsolete? Will we unlock superpowers beyond imagination? Or are we entering entirely uncharted terrain?

From provocative demos to unscripted conversations, **AIpocalypse** dives into the cultural, economic, and existential stakes of Artificial General Intelligence.

This description written by a human + AI hybrid

Event Organizers

Matt Boatright-Simon

SPEAK.STUDIO

https://www.mattboatrightsimon.com/ FOUNDER/CEO BIO SPEAK.STUDIO founder and CEO Matt Boatright-Simon is a developer/coder, UX and UI designer, thought leader, entrepreneur, stage play & screenwriter, and filmmaker. Boatright-Simon is a pioneer in experimentation & development... Read More →

Tuesday August 19, 2025 4:30pm - 6:00pm CDT
SPEAK STUDIO HQ at The Hub @ 2352 S Park Street 53703

Premium, In Person (Apocalypse?)

Host Organization SPEAK.STUDIO Inc.
Category Tech / Software
Interaction Type Conference

7:00pm CDT

Pitch Karaoke: low stakes and high fun practice

Tuesday August 19, 2025 7:00pm - 9:00pm CDT

Git Gud Lounge

This 2-hour event is designed for entrepreneurs, creators, and aspiring founders attending Forward Fest with and without pitches. Many participants may be working on new ideas or navigating early stages of their ventures. In the high-stakes world of business pitches and product demos, this session offers a refreshing way to build confidence in the chaos. Participants will practice speaking off-the-cuff, rebounding from mistakes, and getting reps in for thinking on their feet culminating in pitches to the group from a few volunteers—all in a fun, low-stakes, high-energy setting. Those with active pitches or those wanting to develop their pitches are welcome. Attendees should be ready to participate in all activities.

Hosted by Amalgam Improv and Git Gud Lounge

Event Organizers

Ben Rush

Founder, Amalgam Improv

Hello! I'm Ben, and I am a scientist and improviser. I've been performing improv, running side hussles, and conducting research for many years! I run Amalgam Improv, which is a new improv group in Madison, WI, focused on independent improv teams and fusing topics with improv, like... Read More →

Tuesday August 19, 2025 7:00pm - 9:00pm CDT
Git Gud Lounge 2841 Index Road-Madison,WI

Premium, In Person (Pitch Karaoke)

Host Organization Amalgam Improv and Git Gud Lounge
Category Games, General, Public Speaking
Interaction Type Social, Workshop

Forward Fest 2025

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