Forward Fest 2025

6:00pm CDT

Tech Community Game Night

Tuesday August 19, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CDT

Calling all members of the startup community and local entrepreneurs! Come unwind and connect at our board game night with some friendly competition, exciting games, and a chance to socialize with peers from different organizations. It's the perfect low-key opportunity to get out, meet new people, and enjoy a night of playing alongside fellow innovators, and is hosted by AlphaTech Counsel, a law firm supporting emerging tech companies, and 100state, a coworking space fostering collaboration in a supportive community!

Hosted by AlphaTech Counsel and 100state

Event Organizers

Rachael Kelly

Tuesday August 19, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CDT
100state 17 S Fairchild Floor 7 Madison

Free, In Person

Host Organization AlphaTech Counsel and 100state
Category Social Good, Tech / Software, Games
Interaction Type Social

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

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

Trivia: UX edition!

Wednesday August 20, 2025 5:00pm - 6:00pm CDT

The Deliciouser

UX/UI Pub Trivia: Bragging Rights, Beer, and Buttons That Actually Work

Passionate about UX? UI-curious? Plain old competitive? Join us for an hour-long pub-trivia event open to everyone—from first-timers to seasoned pros. Come with friends or solo—we’ll build teams on the spot so you can meet fellow Madisonians. Drinks can be purchased. Hamburger menus will be debated. Winners will be crowned. And maybe… Don Norman will be made proud.

Hosted by Functionaire
Location: The Deliciouser 931 E Main Street
Food and drink available for purchase.

Event Organizers

Eliana Stein

Wednesday August 20, 2025 5:00pm - 6:00pm CDT
The Deliciouser 931 E Main St Suite 7, Madison, WI 53703

Free, In Person

Host Organization Functionaire
Category Tech / Software, Games
Interaction Type Social

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

6:00pm CDT

Play & Pitch: Game Night for Innovators

Thursday August 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CDT

Git Gud Lounge

Check out our Website

Join us for a casual and collaborative evening where entrepreneurs, creatives, and innovators can gather to unwind, network, and share ideas over their favorite games. Whether you're into board games, console classics, virtual reality, or PC multiplayer, Git Gud is a space where creativity meets community.

Meet fellow makers, startup founders, artists, and tech enthusiasts in a relaxed environment that celebrates fun and innovation. Bring your favorite game or just show up ready to play. Expect spontaneous connections, creative sparks, and maybe even the start of your next big idea.

This special edition of Git Gud Game Night is powered by the Network for Health Technology & Innovation (NHTI) — supporting entrepreneurs at the intersection of creativity, community, and business. It’s part of Forward Fest, Wisconsin’s largest tech and entrepreneurship festival, and hosted by Git Gud Lounge, a vibrant hub for games, collaboration, and creation.

Hosted by Git Gud Lounge & NHTI (Network for health technology & innovation)

Event Organizers

Naomi Shumway

Git Gud Gaming Lounge

Thursday August 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CDT
Git Gud Lounge 2841 Index Road, Fitchburg Wi

Premium, In Person (Play&Pitch)

Host Organization Git Gud Lounge & NHTI (Network for health technology & innovation)
Category Arts, Family, Social Good, Tech / Software, Games, General
Interaction Type Social

8:00am CDT

Twenty Minute Collaborations Salon: Collaborative Food Lessons

Friday August 22, 2025 8:00am - 9:30am CDT

100 State

Check out our Website

Restaurant experience provides the best stories to illustrate collaborative lessons. Join Twenty Minute Collaborations host, Gregg Potter at 100State for a live podcast recording illuminating collaboration skills from our restaurant experience. Guests will be two local restaurant veterans who will share a story. Questions will be asked by both host and audience to discover important and impactful tips and tricks to better design and lead our collaborative efforts. It will be an entertaining way to begin your day!

This experience is curated for participants to consider the stories and lessons being shared and examine how this shows up in their lives. This intimate and casual experience will host two interviews and time for Gregg Potter to work with the audience on how collaboration shows up in their lives.

Hosted by 100state

Event Organizers

Gregg Potter

Founder, International Institute on Collaboration

Friday August 22, 2025 8:00am - 9:30am CDT
100 State 17 S Fairchild St FL 7, Madison, WI 53703

Free, In Person

Host Organization 100 State
Category Food, Social Good, Games, General
Interaction Type Social, Workshop

Forward Fest 2025

From $0.00