Forward Fest 2025

4:00pm CDT

Monday August 18, 2025 4:00pm - 7:00pm CDT

Join us as we kickoff the 2025 Forward Festival with a free pint of the latest Forward Festive-Ale at Delta Beer Lab! A free SupraNet + John Kovalic pint glass and a pint of Festive-Ale will be provided for the first 75 attendees, hosted by SupraNet Communications!

Hosted by SupraNet Communications, Inc.

Event Organizers

Rachel Whitmore

VP of Strategic Business Development, SupraNet Communications, Inc.

Sponsors

SupraNet Communications, Inc.

Monday August 18, 2025 4:00pm - 7:00pm CDT
Delta Beer Lab 167 E Badger Rd, Madison, WI 53713

Free, In Person

Host Organization SupraNet Communications, Inc.
Category General
Interaction Type Happy Hour, 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

8:30am CDT

Wisconsin Founders and Funders Breakfast

Wednesday August 20, 2025 8:30am - 10:30am CDT

Hollander Grand Cafe - Hilldale

Check out our Website

Join other founders, investors, and innovators in the Wisconsin ecosystem for breakfast with Hyde Park Venture Partners, a Chicago-based early stage venture capital firm who invests in midwest-based companies, for a community event focused on helping companies raise their first or second round of institutional venture capital.

Hosted by Hyde Park Venture Partners

Wednesday August 20, 2025 8:30am - 10:30am CDT
Hollander Grand Cafe - Hilldale 701 Hilldale Way Madison, WI 53705

Free, In Person

Category Social Good, Tech / Software
Interaction Type Happy Hour, Social

3:00pm CDT

Happy Hour! Startup Finance & HR: What Founders – and Investors – Care About

Wednesday August 20, 2025 3:00pm - 6:00pm CDT

The Cooper's Tavern (2nd floor)

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Enjoy free drinks and light hors d’oeuvres! This session is built for early-stage founders who want to set their startups up for long-term success. We’ll break down the essential accounting, tax, financial, and HR strategies you need to get right from the beginning—whether you’re gearing up for your first raise or just getting started. Learn how to build a back office that supports growth, avoids costly missteps, and earns investor confidence. Expect practical advice, real-world examples, and a chance to ask your burning questions.

Event Organizers

Marnie Farrell

Office/Tax Admin, Fine Point Consulting

Wednesday August 20, 2025 3:00pm - 6:00pm CDT
The Cooper's Tavern (2nd floor) *20 W. Mifflin St

Free, In Person

Category Food, Social Good
Interaction Type Happy Hour, Social

4:00pm CDT

EdTech Entrepreneur Exchange

Wednesday August 20, 2025 4:00pm - 6:00pm CDT

TBA

Join us for an engaging gathering of EdTech entrepreneurs, product leaders, researchers, funders, and policy advocates. The EdTech Entrepreneur Exchange is a unique opportunity to network, collaborate, and share insights on the future of education technology. Whether you're building tools for K-12, higher ed, workforce development, or lifelong learning, this event offers space to exchange ideas, find partners, and uncover new opportunities. The program includes open networking and small-group discussions focused on building solutions that are inclusive, scalable, and research-informed. Appetizers and drinks will be available.

Hosted by Flexion, Inc. & Filament Games

Event Organizers

Jennifer Javornik

Chief Partnerships Officer, Filament Games

Jennifer Javornik is an international speaker and thought leader on the topics of game-based learning and games for positive impact. As a video game executive specializing in partnerships, revenue growth, and entrepreneurship, Ms. Javornik is currently the Chief Partnerships Officer... Read More →

Jill Foley

Sponsors

Filament Game

Flexion, Inc.

Wednesday August 20, 2025 4:00pm - 6:00pm CDT
TBA TBD somehwere downtown

Free, In Person

Host Organization Flexion, Inc. & Filament Games
Category Social Good, Tech / Software, Games, General, Education
Interaction Type Happy Hour, Social, Workshop

5:00pm CDT

Happy Hour with Venture Capitalists

Wednesday August 20, 2025 5:00pm - 8:00pm CDT

Wisconsin State Capital Square

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Venture capital fund managers from seven Wisconsin venture capital funds will be at the August 20 Jazz at Five performance on the South Hamilton side of the Capitol Grounds, across the street from Wonder State Coffee and the Best Western Park Hotel. The Badger Fund of Funds is sponsoring the event and will provide free beer for attendees. Come enjoy a beautiful Wisconsin evening and engage in some hot conversation about the Money for Minnows investments strategy and the future of venture capital in Wisconsin.

Hosted by Badger Fund of Funds

Event Organizers

Larissa Yenkey

Analyst, Badger Fund of Funds

Wednesday August 20, 2025 5:00pm - 8:00pm CDT
Wisconsin State Capital Square on the South Hamilton side of the Capitol Grounds, across the street from Wonder State Coffee and the Best Western Park Hotel

Free, In Person

Host Organization Badger Fund of Funds
Category Social Good, Music
Interaction Type Happy Hour, Social

12:30pm CDT

From Spreadsheets and Silos to Data-Driven Efficiency

Thursday August 21, 2025 12:30pm - 2:30pm CDT

Delta Beer Lab

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

Vanessa Costanzo

Thursday August 21, 2025 12:30pm - 2:30pm CDT
Delta Beer Lab 167 E Badger Rd, Madison, WI 53713

Free, In Person

Host Organization NaviCu
Category Tech / Software
Interaction Type Conference, Happy Hour

4:00pm CDT

Behind the Numbers: Open House & Startup Mixer

Thursday August 21, 2025 4:00pm - 6:00pm CDT

StartingBlock Madison

Step into the home of Madison’s startup-centric CPA firm and experience finance with a fresh perspective. At this open house, we’re blending numbers with networking—bringing together founders, small business owners, and community partners to connect over light refreshments, good conversations, and shared goals.

You’ll get a chance to:
- Meet the Novii CPA team (yes, we’re real people—who love startups!)
- Tour our space and learn how we serve biotech, tech, life sciences, and manufacturing businesses
- Make meaningful connections with other Forward Fest attendees, startup operators, and resource providers
- Whether you're an early-stage entrepreneur, an established founder, or just CPA-curious, we’d love to welcome you.

Hosted by Novii CPA

Event Organizers

Victoria Thayer

CEO and Founder, Novii CPA

Thursday August 21, 2025 4:00pm - 6:00pm CDT
StartingBlock Madison 821 E. Washington Ave., Madison

Free, In Person

Host Organization Novii CPA
Category Social Good, Music
Interaction Type Happy Hour, Social

5:00pm CDT

High Tech Happy Hour Anniversary Celebration

Thursday August 21, 2025 5:00pm - 7:00pm CDT

University of Wisconsin Memorial Union - Main Lounge

Check out our Website

Join SupraNet Communications and Yahara Software for the 24th anniversary of High Tech Happy Hour! Raise a glass, network and help us celebrate 24 years of connecting the Greater Madison community!

Hosted by SupraNet Communications, Inc. ($2,500+), Yahara Software, Inc. ($2,500+)

Event Organizers

Rachel Whitmore

VP of Strategic Business Development, SupraNet Communications, Inc.

Sponsors

High Tech Happy Hour

SupraNet Communications, Inc.

Yahara Software, Inc.

Thursday August 21, 2025 5:00pm - 7:00pm CDT
University of Wisconsin Memorial Union - Main Lounge 800 Langdon Street, Madison, WI, 53706 - 2nd Floor

Free, In Person

Host Organization SupraNet Communications, Inc. ($2, 500+), Yahara Software, Inc. ($2, 500+)
Category General
Interaction Type Happy Hour

5:30pm CDT

Game Together-Forward Fest Edition

Thursday August 21, 2025 5:30pm - 11:00pm CDT

The Guild

Check out our Website

Join us for Game Together-Forward Fest Edition, a vibrant social gaming night where innovators, creatives, and tech lovers connect over games and craft drinks with our community. Hosted by The Guild gaming lounge, this event blends the thrill of multiplayer games with the laid-back vibe of happy hour—think Mario Kart tournaments, co-op chaos, and Jackbox shenanigans on the big screen. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a gamer, or just game-curious, this is your space to unwind, connect, and be entertained.

* Game Together runs from 5:30 PM to 11:00 PM. Come by whenever you’re ready to jump in, and feel free to head out whenever you’ve had your fill of fun! Stay for a bit or hang all night—it’s totally up to you!

* This event is free to attend. We’ll also have discounted game passes for PC and console gaming. Don’t forget to check out our tasty food & drink specials going all night long!

Hosted by The Guild

Event Organizers

Sonia Tan

The Guild

Thursday August 21, 2025 5:30pm - 11:00pm CDT
The Guild 668 State Street Madison WI

Free, In Person

Category Food, Games
Interaction Type Happy Hour, Social

Forward Fest 2025

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