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Monday, August 18
 

8:00am CDT

Badger Startup Summit
Monday August 18, 2025 8:00am - 3:30pm CDT
Fuel your entrepreneurial spirit at the Badger Startup Summit—an energizing launch to Forward Fest that brings together innovators, founders, and big ideas from across Wisconsin’s startup ecosystem.

Start your day with a complimentary breakfast and dive into inspiring talks on innovation and entrepreneurship. Connect with local startups and leaders at the Venfair networking showcase, grab a box lunch, and stick around for the high-energy MERLIN Pitch & Replay—where startups pitch and the audience plays along.

Hosted by 100state
Event Organizers
avatar for Kelly Pagac

Kelly Pagac

Community and Program Director, 100state
avatar for JJ Pagac

JJ Pagac

Executive Director, 100state
I am the executive director at 100state, Wisconsin's oldest coworking space located a block off the capitol square.  I also design/devleop wordpress websites, and am a parallel entrepreneur.  I have been involved in or have ran 8 startups.

Monday August 18, 2025 8:00am - 3:30pm CDT
TBA TBD somehwere downtown
  Free, In Person
 
Tuesday, August 19
 

9:00am CDT

AI for Non-Techies: Yes, You Can Use This Too
Tuesday August 19, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am CDT
Curious about AI but feeling overwhelmed by the tech lingo? This session is designed for small business owners who want practical, approachable ways to use artificial intelligence—no coding, no jargon, no prior experience needed.

In just 60 minutes, you’ll get a clear understanding of what AI is (and isn’t), how it fits into your day-to-day operations, and how to confidently begin using it. We'll walk through five easy-to-use AI tools that can help with tasks like content creation, scheduling, email writing, customer communication, and more.

You’ll learn:

How AI can work with you (not replace you)

What tools are worth trying first—and why

Live demos of each tool with real-world small business examples

Tips for using AI while keeping your voice authentic and human

By the end of the session, you’ll leave with simple next steps, no stress, and a better understanding of how AI can support your business today—not someday.

Hosted by Golden Innovation Group
Event Organizers
avatar for Amy Calder

Amy Calder

Principal Owner, Golden Innovation Group
Amy Calder is the founder of Golden Innovation Group and a business optimization consultant who helps small business owners and solopreneurs streamline operations, eliminate inefficiencies, and reclaim their time. Drawing from over two decades of corporate leadership in life sciences... Read More →

Tuesday August 19, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am CDT
Virtual
  Free, Virtual

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
avatar for Jillana Kelly

Jillana Kelly

Forward Fest Board
Sponsors

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

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
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
avatar for Matt Boatright-Simon

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?)
 
Wednesday, August 20
 

10:00am CDT

2025 Compliance Playbook: What Entrepreneurs Need to Know
Wednesday August 20, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am CDT
HR Simplified: How a PEO Can Help Entrepreneurs Focus on Growth

Event Description:
Managing HR, payroll, compliance, and benefits can overwhelm even the most passionate entrepreneurs. In this session, learn how partnering with a Professional Employer Organization (PEO) can help you reduce administrative burden, ensure compliance, and enhance your team’s experience—without needing to build a full HR department.

We’ll break down what a PEO does, how it differs from other HR models, and how it can scale with your business as you grow. Whether you're hiring your first employees, navigating multi-state regulations, or simply looking to streamline your operations, this session will provide practical insights and real-world examples from entrepreneurial leaders.

Takeaways:
✔ What a PEO is—and isn’t
✔ Common HR pitfalls for startups and small businesses
✔ Compliance, benefits, and payroll made simple
✔ How a PEO can align with your growth and goals

Ideal for founders, small business owners, and growth-stage leaders looking to strengthen their infrastructure and free up time to focus on scaling their business.

Event Organizers
avatar for Keri Allard

Keri Allard

Director of Client Services, SustainableHR PEO, LLC
Keri Allard, is the Director of Client Services at SustainableHR PEO. Bringing over 20 years of invaluable experience, Keri has held pivotal positions such as Director of Business Development and Recruitment Manager. Her extensive expertise in business development, client management... Read More →
Wednesday August 20, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am CDT
TBA TBD somehwere downtown
  Free, In Person

4:00pm CDT

How Branding Matters
Wednesday August 20, 2025 4:00pm - 5:30pm CDT
In today's dynamic marketplace, standing out is essential for success. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a seasoned business owner, or a creative professional, a branding can be powerful in your organization. Join us for an immersive and interactive workshop designed to equip you with the tools and strategies to build a strong and compelling brand identity.

Led by Ibrahim Harun of IH Concepts with 16 years of experience in branding and marketing, this workshop will delve deep into the core elements of effective branding. Through a combination of an insightful presentations and collaborative discussions, you'll learn how what goes into a brand so you can hit the ground running.

Whether you're looking to launch a new venture, bring more life into your business, or simply refine your marketing strategy, this workshop will provide you with the knowledge and insights you need to elevate your business and drive meaningful connections with your audience. Don't miss this opportunity to take your business to new heights!
Event Organizers
Wednesday August 20, 2025 4:00pm - 5:30pm CDT
100 State 17 S Fairchild St FL 7, Madison, WI 53703
  Free, In Person
 
Thursday, August 21
 

10:00am CDT

ADA Title II and You
Thursday August 21, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am CDT
In April 2024, the Department of Justice finalized long-awaited updates to Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, setting specific standards for the accessibility of websites, applications, and digital documents. This session provides a clear, actionable overview of the new requirements and what they mean for public-facing digital content. We’ll cover the intersection of legal compliance and inclusive design—what’s now required, how these rules are being enforced, and why it matters not just for state and local governments, but also for nonprofits and federally funded organizations that may be impacted down the line.

Hosted by Earthling Interactive

Event Organizers
avatar for Bekee Gibson

Bekee Gibson

Director - Usability + Web Development, Earthling Interactive
People will hear me talking about dogs, food, knitting, Fallout 4, and polymer clay. But I'm also passionate about building usable digital experiences for both customers and administrators. Having been no stranger to repetitive stress disorders, I live to automate repetitive processes... Read More →
Thursday August 21, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am CDT
Virtual
  Free, Virtual

11:00am CDT

Capital That Fits: Exploring Options, Learning from Experience, Building Readiness
Thursday August 21, 2025 11:00am - 3:00pm CDT
The funding landscape has evolved beyond traditional VC, but many founders don't know their options. Join Valency Fund for a half-day deep dive into different capital solutions that fit your business model and growth goals.

Three focused sessions will cover:
1: Panel with diverse funders across the risk/reward spectrum—from traditional VC to revenue-based financing
2: Real founder stories from Wisconsin entrepreneurs using non-traditional capital to scale
3: Financial readiness workshop on building fundable, sustainable companies

Lunch included.

You'll leave with practical frameworks, real connections, and clarity on which funding path actually fits your business. Perfect for founders who want to make informed capital decisions while building lasting value.

Hosted by Valency Fund
Event Organizers

Thursday August 21, 2025 11:00am - 3:00pm CDT
TBA TBD somehwere downtown

12:30pm CDT

From Spreadsheets and Silos to Data-Driven Efficiency
Thursday August 21, 2025 12:30pm - 2:30pm CDT
From Spreadsheets and Silos to Data-Driven Efficiency is a compelling case study in business transformation. If your organization is grappling with scattered data, clunky workflows, and inefficient systems that limit your growth, this session is for you.

Join us to learn how one organization shifted from using dozens of disconnected tools, documents, and manual processes to a centralized, integrated, and scalable custom business solution. By leveraging technology to unify operations, they unlocked major time savings, improved staff productivity, and positioned themselves for growth.

We’ll walk you through the practical steps of evaluating your business systems, identifying where your team’s time is being wasted, and how to prioritize what to fix first. You’ll also see how low-code platforms and smart integrations (APIs) can help build a “single source of truth” that reduces friction across departments—without needing a huge tech team or budget.

Whether you're an early-stage startup or a more established organization looking to scale, this session offers actionable insights for building a smarter, more efficient business foundation.

Hosted by NaviCu
Event Organizers
Thursday August 21, 2025 12:30pm - 2:30pm CDT
Delta Beer Lab 167 E Badger Rd, Madison, WI 53713
  Free, In Person
 
Friday, August 22
 

2:00pm CDT

Startup 2.0: AI Agents Meet 'The Sims'
Friday August 22, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT
Have you ever played the game The Sims?

If not, the core gameplay revolves around creating and controlling virtual people known as "Sims," managing every aspect of their lives, from relationships and careers to personal needs and desires.

But what if while you were sleeping all the characters in The Sims acted autonomously by making decisions, interacting with others, and building a society on their own?

Enter AI Agents—an emerging technology that's redefining productivity for startups and small businesses. AI Agents independently automate complex workflows, integrate seamlessly across multiple tools, and allow teams to reclaim valuable hours.

We're not just talking about ChatGPT or Grok—this is an entire ecosystem of intelligent agents that operate autonomously or collaboratively, dramatically amplifying your team's effectiveness.

As a startup or small business owner, you're constantly balancing limited hours against endless demands, and agents can help fill-in the gaps.
Event Organizers
MW

Matthew Walz

Founder & CEO, The Jenny Project
Friday August 22, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT
TBA TBD somehwere downtown
  Free, In Person
 
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