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.
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.
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.
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!
Cut Through the Noise – Accelerate Your Next Quality Hire Struggling to find top talent fast? Discover proven hiring strategies that actually work. Get tools, insights, and real-world success stories. Join us – and hire smarter, faster.
Join The Creative Company for an engaging and dynamic session where entrepreneurs, creators, and innovators come together to explore the cutting-edge strategies and tools that are shaping the future of entrepreneurship. This event is designed to empower you with the knowledge, skills, and connections necessary to elevate your business. Expect discussions on creativity, innovation, and actionable insights on how to scale your entrepreneurial venture. Whether you’re just starting or looking to take your business to the next level, this event will provide the inspiration and resources you need. With interactive workshops and expert speakers, it’s an unmissable opportunity to grow, learn, and connect.
When taking your business from idea to reality, you’ll likely have a lot of questions that need answered in order to get your business off to a strong start. For example: What do you need to know about patents for the product you’re trying to create? What legal resources are available? What can local demographics tell you about potential customers? How strong is the industry you’re looking to enter? Who are potential competitors?
Luckily, there are FREE databases, resources, and specialized experts available to help you answer these and many other questions – all found in your local libraries! Want to learn more? Put this session on your Holds List, and “check out” some great resources from your local libraries.
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.
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 Lounge2841 Index Road-Madison,WI
Welcome to StartingBlock, Madison's startup hub. StartingBlock welcomes passionate entrepreneurs to present their new business at 1 Million Cups every Wednesday morning! Coffee pours at 8:45am, Program starts at 9am. Located on the 3rd floor cafe.
Don't navigate the startup world alone. StartingBlock's Level Set program is an intense 6 week program designed to help you build and validate a business model. Offered 4x per year, we help you explore the pros and cons of different business models, model revenue and get real world feedback on your ideas. This program is for you if you: -want to explore an idea -are thinking about starting a company -have a side hustle you want to take full time -are thinking about quitting your day job
Join us for an exciting event designed to connect and energize entrepreneurs at all stages of business! Hosted by the Madison College Center for Entrepreneurship, this networking event marks the kickoff of our yearlong focus on Finance for Entrepreneurs — and you're invited.
What to Expect: - Open Networking with local entrepreneurs and small business owners - Resource Tables from local partners and support organizations - Interactive 20-Minute Roundtable Sessions on: - Pricing & Profitability - Budgeting & Cash Flow - Funding & Financing - Personal Finance for Entrepreneurs - Light Food & Beverages Provided
Whether you're just starting out or scaling up, this event is a chance to connect, learn, and find resources that can support your financial growth and business goals.
Free to attend – registration encouraged.
Start your financial journey with us and build meaningful connections in the process!
Hosted by Center for Entrepreneurship at Madison College
In 40+ years of working with entrepreneurs, we have regularly observed that “the money part” of business planning is often what causes many business owners and would-be business owners alike the most anxiety and confusion. Yet the numbers don’t have to intimidate you. Instead, understanding a clear financial plan for your business will give you the confidence to make educated decisions about the viability of your business idea, access needed capital and actively manage cash flow as your business grows.
This live-virtual introductory session – designed for new and prospective business owners in any industry – will help you understand:
• The purpose (and power!) of a pro forma in business planning, management and in accessing capital • The fundamental “inputs” to building solid projections, including: • Identification of your business models key revenue streams, and how to translate to your projections • Synthesis of customer, competitive and industry knowledge into reasoned market size and share estimates • The impact of pricing decisions, buyer behavior and capacity on projected revenue • Types of key cost estimates needed for your projections • Resources for pulling it all together!
By joining us for this overview session, you will build a solid foundation of concepts that can help you understand how to put real numbers to your dreams and learn the path to projections. Whether you plan to seek funding from a bank, determine the feasibility of your business idea, or explore new directions for your business, following the ideas we’ll cover in this session will help you build success based on knowledge.
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!
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.
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 →
Explore what can be done with vibe coding - automate tasks or talk with your developer without the overwhelm In this 1-hour session, you'll explore simple tools that require no coding experience. We’ll introduce you to the world of "vibe coding" – where creativity meets tech. Get hands-on and start turning ideas into action with ease. Perfect for beginners ready to explore what’s possible.
You’ve heard plenty about Artificial Intelligence being a “game changer” across industries – but what does that mean for your day-to-day work? We asked ourselves this question – and how AI could level the playing field for small businesses – and did some investigating.
We know that as a small business owner, manager, or employee, there’s so much you need to keep up on – so when do you have time to learn how to use AI? Today is the day! In this beginner-focused session, join us as “AI Explorers” as we discuss the basics of Artificial Intelligence. In this “AI 101” session, we will:
• Give you a foundational understanding of how AI “thinks,” including common drawbacks and areas where the tools excel. • Teach a framework for how to talk to AI using prompt engineering (and suggestions for improving prompts when something goes wonky!) • Give you examples of how you might use a variety of free or low-cost tools – including, but not limited to ChatGPT! – to increase efficiency in tasks ranging from marketing to administrative tasks to operational planning
You will leave this session with sample prompts to try, tools and resources to explore, and the confidence to embrace being an AI Explorer – starting today!
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.
The Future Self Mixer is a unique blend of high-level networking and personal development for ambitious entrepreneurs and leaders. You’ll connect with like-minded peers while stepping into the mindset, presence, and confidence of your next-level self. Through guided prompts and intentional conversations, you’ll build powerful relationships and gain clarity on who you’re becoming - professionally and personally.
If you’re building something big, who you are becoming matters just as much as what you’re doing. This event offers a rare opportunity to zoom out from the daily grind and embody the version of you who’s already achieved what you’re working toward. Whether you’re seasoned in personal development or just getting started, the Future Self Mixer is a low-pressure but transformative space to expand your vision, shift how you see yourself, and walk away with fresh clarity, confidence, and momentum for your business journey.
Madison is known for innovation. The spotlight is often focused only on labs and laptops as we are a world class hub for tech and bio health for sure. This panel shifts the lens to the street level, where a new kind of entrepreneurship is thriving—one rooted in experience, expression, aspiration, and a deep connection to place.
Join us for a dynamic conversation with the storefront entrepreneurs, placemakers, and visionaries who are shaping the next chapter of downtown Madison. These are the small business owners and builders who are redefining what it means to innovate—not through code, but through culture. Many bring with them ideas and influences from outside the city—drawn here by Madison’s unique mix of values, workforce, lifestyle, and sense of community—and adapt those ideas to resonate deeply with the local identity.
This is a story of migration, cultural integration, and innovation grounded in belonging. Together, we'll explore how independent businesses are creating something greater than the sum of their parts: a downtown that’s soulful, aspirational, and driving our economic growth.
Hosted by SupraNet Communications, Inc. and Madison's Central Business Improvement District
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+)
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)
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.
This session provides practical strategies for determining the right pricing for your product or service to optimize profitability and sustain business growth. Participants will explore how to evaluate competitors, brand value, and customer segmentation to create pricing strategies that align with their business goals. Through an interactive approach, attendees will gain insights into the financial and psychological aspects of pricing, empowering them to make informed decisions that drive success.
90 minutes (Includes a 60-minute presentation and a 30-minute interactive workshop on pricing strategies using Excel) Key Takeaways:
1. Develop Strategic Pricing Skills – Learn how to determine the right price for your product or service. – Understand how to factor in competitors, perceived/brand value, and personal experience when setting prices. – Explore how to account for overhead and other indirect costs when direct costs are minimal. – Compare different pricing models, such as bundled pricing or subscription-based pricing, beyond the traditional price-per-product model.
2. Price for Customer Segmentation – Discover strategies for pricing tailored to different customer segments. – Evaluate whether listing your pricing publicly (e.g., on a website) is appropriate for your business model.
3. Maximize Profitability through Pricing – Identify methods for increasing profit margins through optimized pricing strategies. – Balance competitive pricing with maintaining perceived value and brand integrity.
Hosted by WEDC via the Main Street Bounceback Program
Stepping into the world of business ownership brings with it the critical responsibility of understanding and managing business taxes. Whether you’re a fledgling entrepreneur, a freelancer transitioning to a formal business entity, or a small business owner, grasping the basics of business taxation is essential for legal compliance and financial optimization. This foundational webinar is tailored to demystify the basic concepts of business and self-employment taxes.
From determining your tax obligations based on your business structure to exploring potential deductions that can minimize your tax liability, we cover the essentials that every business owner needs to know. Equipped with this knowledge, you’ll be better prepared to make informed decisions, set aside the appropriate funds for taxes, and maintain the financial health of your business.
Topics covered will include: • Understanding Business Tax Concepts: Learn the tax vocabulary and basic concepts related to federal and state taxes. • Understanding your Obligations: Identify the tax obligations specific to different types of business entities and understand the threshold for self-employment taxes. • Calculating Taxable Income for Businesses: Learn how to determine your business’s taxable income and implement strategies for tax planning and savings. • Recognizing Tax Responsibilities: Gain insights into the spectrum of taxes your business may be responsible for, including federal income tax, self-employment tax, employment taxes (if applicable), and state taxes. • Mastering Business Deductions: Discover key business deductions that can lower your taxable income and learn how to effectively leverage them for tax benefits. • Navigating the Tax Filing Process: Understand the step-by-step process of filing your business taxes, including where to file, what information and documents are needed, and deadlines to be aware of. • Implementing Effective Record-Keeping Strategies: Learn the importance of maintaining accurate financial records for tax purposes, what records to keep, and for how long, to ensure compliance and facilitate tax preparation.
Please note: This session is NOT intended to be an individual tax planning session. For personalized 1040 advice, please consult with your tax professional
