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Startup Wisconsin is organized by Headway, a digital product agency based in Green Bay, WI.
Powered by our state sponsors, Nicolet National Bank and gener8tor.
Hey folks! Jacob Miller here.
Forward Fest starts August 17. Five days, roughly fifty sessions, all over Madison.
That's a lot to sort through, so we asked Forward Fest board member Ross Larson which sessions he'd actually build his week around. That field guide is linked below, and every session is listed further down if you'd rather scan it yourself.
The rest of August is quieter. Use the slow weeks to get ready for the loud one.
Have a story to tell?
Or a press release?
Want to be a guest writer?
We'd love to hear about it and get your story or news published.
New on the blog
Your Field Guide to Forward Fest 2026
Fifty events in five days. Forward Fest board member Ross Larson shares the picks worth building your week around, from a sauna happy hour to a practical AI summit.
Six Wisconsin Startups Building the State's Frontier Tech Future
Quantum error correction, semiconductors, wireless power, and medical devices. All six companies in the inaugural gBETA Frontier Technology cohort are based here, and they pitch publicly on September 2.
What the 52 Launch Wisconsin Semifinalists Say About Wisconsin's Startup Map
Twenty-nine of the 52 semifinalists are based outside Madison and Milwaukee. Deep tech showed up as a brand new category and immediately filled 13 slots.
The Real Story Behind Realta Fusion's Wisconsin Deal Isn't the $55 Million
Realta looked at four other states and chose Wisconsin. The incentive package made headlines, but the durable win is Act 165, the first standalone fusion tax law in the country.
→ See All Posts
New on the podcast
EP 21
How Creative Destruction Lab Builds Startups Without Taking Equity
Kai Heineman, Venture Manager, Creative Destruction Lab
Kai puts 50% of her evaluation on the team, not the product. We got into why, how CDL's three-objective structure keeps founders from chasing everything at once, and why a global accelerator planted a stream in Wisconsin.
→ See All Episodes
Upcoming Events
Filter these events by city and topic on our events page and see what's coming up.
August 2026 Events
One Million Cups: StartingBlock's Economic Impact Report
August 5, 9:00 AM [Madison]
StartingBlock CEO Scott Mosley presents the organization's Economic Impact Report, a data-backed look at how Madison's startup ecosystem is actually performing. Expect real numbers on jobs created, companies scaled, and founders supported, plus where the momentum is strongest. Come with questions.
VC Office Hours
August 5, 10:00 AM [Madison]
Mastercraft Ventures hosts VC Office Hours at StartingBlock Madison, right after 1MC. Founders can meet investors, get feedback on their startup, and ask questions. No formal presentations or speed rotations, just in-person conversations to help move your startup forward.
MFC's 5th Birthday Bash!
August 5, 6:00 PM [Milwaukee]
Most Midwest Founders Community events are designed to help grow your company. This one is to celebrate it, and all of the progress and growth you've made over the last five years. Share how MFC has helped your company hit its milestones so the whole community can celebrate them together.
Data-Driven Wisconsin 2026
August 12, 7:30 AM [Milwaukee]
The region's data and AI conference, now in its 10th year. A full day of practical sessions for data scientists, ML and software engineers, analytics leaders, and students from across Wisconsin and the northern Chicago suburbs, with time built in to connect.
BEAR at the Orchard
August 12, 4:00 PM [Chippewa Valley]
CEDC's BEAR at the Orchard brings entrepreneurs, business owners, mentors, investors, and community partners together at Dixon's Apple Orchard in Cadott. Expect guided connecting, an open pitch experience where founders share ideas and get live audience feedback, plus refreshments and resources for growing a business.
August Code + Brews
August 12, 5:30 PM [Milwaukee]
An evening Milwaukee coding meetup for developers of every level, from dev-curious to professional. Bring a laptop to work on your own project, collaborate on something new, or just talk shop over drinks with a friendly local tech community. All skill levels welcome.
StartingBlock: Tactical Skills Series featuring Leah Ujah (Bonus Session)
August 13, 12:00 PM [Madison]
A bonus session in StartingBlock's Tactical Skills series. AI can generate interfaces, mockups, and branding in seconds, but is the result any good? Leah Ujah, a UW-Madison professor of practice in computing and AI, covers design fundamentals like hierarchy, spacing, color, and layout so you can evaluate and polish AI-assisted work.
Badger Startup Summit
August 17, 8:00 AM [Madison]
A full-day summit bringing Wisconsin's startup community together for talks, workshops, and connections. A strong way to open Forward Fest for founders and the people who support them.
You Didn't Sign Up For This
August 17, 8:00 AM [Madison]
An interactive Forward Fest session on rolling with the surprises that come with building something new.
Forward Fest Welcome Coffee
August 17, 9:00 AM [Madison]
Kick off Forward Fest over coffee. A relaxed morning to meet other attendees, organizers, and founders before the week's sessions begin.
SalesLab: A tech sales workshop
August 17, 11:00 AM [Madison]
A hands-on workshop on the fundamentals of tech sales, from first outreach to closing. Practical tactics founders and early sales hires can put to work right away.
How We Show Up Matters
August 17, 1:00 PM [Virtual]
A session on presence and how the way we show up shapes our work, teams, and relationships. Grounded reflection for founders and leaders.
Forward Fest Happy Hour Kickoff Party
August 17, 4:00 PM [Madison]
The official Forward Fest kickoff party. Grab a drink, celebrate the start of the festival, and connect with founders, investors, and the broader Madison tech community.
Sweat Equity Sauna Happy Hour
August 17, 7:00 PM [Madison]
An unconventional founder happy hour built around the sauna at Saunaday. Unwind, recover, and network with other entrepreneurs in a relaxed wellness setting.
Assets That Think: From Data to Decisions
August 18, 8:00 AM [Virtual]
How to turn raw data into assets that drive real decisions. A look at making information work harder for your business through smarter analysis and AI.
First In Breakfast
August 18, 8:30 AM [Madison]
A morning gathering for founders and early operators to connect over breakfast before the day's sessions. Casual conversation and community to start the day.
Design Workshop: Building a New Knowledge Stack
August 18, 10:00 AM [Madison]
A hands-on design workshop on building a modern knowledge stack: how teams capture, organize, and put information to use. Methods you can apply to your own tools.
Is the Government Your Next Growth Customer?
August 18, 10:30 AM [Madison]
Selling to the public sector as a growth channel. What it takes to win government as a customer, from procurement basics to the realities of the sales cycle.
10x Faster Without the Burnout
August 18, 10:30 AM [Madison]
A session on accelerating growth and returns without burning out, using energy and focus as the levers. For entrepreneurs who want to move faster and stay sustainable.
StartingBlock: Tactical Skills Series featuring Erin Anstett
August 18, 12:00 PM [Madison]
Part of StartingBlock's Tactical Skills Lunch & Learn series. Erin Anstett of Big Sis Studio walks founders through building cohesive branding, the practical fundamentals of making your startup look and feel consistent so it stands out and scales. Bring your lunch and leave with something you can apply right away.
Navigate Environmental Requirements with Confidence
August 18, 12:30 PM [Virtual]
A practical guide to meeting environmental requirements as a Wisconsin business, with the tools and state support available to help you stay compliant and move forward.
MadAI/IEEE: Engineering Software with AI
August 18, 1:00 PM [Madison]
A technical session on engineering software with AI, hosted by the local MadAI and IEEE communities. For developers building AI into real products and workflows.
Pressure Chamber 2026
August 18, 3:00 PM [Madison]
Pressure Chamber returns for its 13th year as the region's top emerging companies pitch a panel of national investors and a live audience for the golden suitcase, a reserved spot in the Chamber's fall meetings with Silicon Valley firms. Winner picked by judge scores and audience votes.
AI & Open Source Mixer
August 18, 5:00 PM [Madison]
An after-hours mixer for the people building with AI and open source around Madison. Trade ideas, find collaborators, and meet other engineers and founders.
Artificial Intelligence Fundamentals
August 18, 7:00 PM [Virtual]
An approachable introduction to the fundamentals of artificial intelligence: core concepts, what the technology can and cannot do, and how to think about applying it.
Tapping Trends: Assess Trend Relevance & Brand Fit
August 19, 7:30 AM [Madison]
A step-by-step approach to judging whether a trend is worth chasing for your brand. How to assess relevance and fit before you invest time and budget.
Wisconsin Founders and Funders Breakfast
August 19, 8:30 AM [Madison]
A breakfast bringing Wisconsin founders and investors to the same table. A chance to make connections across the funding landscape over a relaxed morning.
DevFest WI
August 19, 9:00 AM [Madison]
Wisconsin's developer festival: a full day of technical talks and community for engineers and builders. Sessions span modern development, tools, and emerging tech.
Madison Women in Tech Job Fair
August 19, 10:00 AM [Madison]
A job fair connecting women in tech with Madison-area employers who are hiring. Meet teams, explore roles, and grow your network in person.
From Research to Revenue: Where Deep Tech Gets Stuck and Why
August 19, 10:00 AM [Virtual]
A candid look at why deep tech startups stall between the lab and real revenue, and what it takes to get unstuck. Aimed at technical founders turning research into traction.
Fireside Chat with WEDC Secretary John Miller and Maggie Brickerman
August 19, 11:30 AM [Madison]
A fireside conversation on the state of Wisconsin's economy and what it means for founders and the startup ecosystem.
Ideate Prompt Prototype Repeat
August 19, 12:00 PM [Madison]
A working session on the build loop of ideate, prompt, prototype, repeat. How to move quickly from idea to working prototype using AI tools.
Demystifying the Pro Forma: Building Financial Projections
August 19, 1:30 PM [Virtual]
A clear walkthrough of building financial projections that hold up. How to construct a pro forma you understand and can defend to investors and partners.
Introduction to Patents for Entrepreneurs
August 19, 2:00 PM [Virtual]
A primer on patents for founders: what can be protected, when filing makes sense, and how to think about intellectual property as you build.
How Branding Matters
August 19, 3:30 PM [Madison]
Why brand is more than a logo and how it shapes the way customers find, trust, and choose you. Practical thinking on building a brand that earns attention.
Stone Soup 101
August 19, 4:00 PM [Madison]
A community session built on the stone soup idea: everyone brings something and the group creates more together than anyone could alone.
The "Anti-Burnout" Blueprint: Wellness for Solo Founders and Small Business Owners
August 19, 4:30 PM [Madison]
A wellness-focused session for solo founders and small business owners on avoiding burnout. Practical habits to protect your energy while running a business.
Jazz with Venture Capitalists
August 19, 5:00 PM [Madison]
An evening mixing live jazz with venture capital. A relaxed setting to meet investors and fellow founders away from the usual pitch pressure.
Madison Area Software Developers Meetup Group Monthly Meetup
August 19, 6:00 PM [Madison]
A monthly gathering for Madison-area software developers to swap experiences and keep up with fast-moving tech. Conversation ranges across scripting and compiled languages, big data and microservices, mobile and IoT, web, and developer tooling. All levels welcome.
FOR-M August Founder Showcase
August 19, 7:00 PM [Milwaukee]
Meet Milwaukee's newest batch of tech startup founders at the FOR-M Founder Showcase. Visit tables to hear from every founder in the cohort, watch three selected pitches, and network over snacks and drinks. Free to attend, and part of Build Night alongside Code+Brews and Founder Finder, each with separate registration.
Pricing Model Mastery, Part 1: Turn Customer Perception Into Revenue
August 20, 7:30 AM [Virtual]
Part one of a pricing masterclass on turning how customers perceive value into revenue. The general session covers the core principles of pricing for growth.
How We Show Up Matters
August 20, 8:00 AM [Madison]
A session on presence and how the way we show up shapes our work, teams, and relationships. Grounded reflection for founders and leaders.
Pricing Model Mastery, Part 2: Personalized Guidance (Add-on VIP Session)
August 20, 8:15 AM [Virtual]
Part two of the pricing masterclass, a smaller add-on session offering personalized guidance to apply pricing strategy directly to your own business.
LinkedIn Glow-Up Lab
August 20, 9:00 AM [Madison]
A working lab to upgrade your LinkedIn presence. Sharpen your profile, posts, and positioning so the right people notice your work.
Practical Tools for Kickstarting your Go-to-Market (GTM)
August 20, 9:00 AM [Virtual]
Hands-on tools for launching a go-to-market motion. How to find your first customers, test channels, and build momentum without overcomplicating it.
From Stage to Strategy: Voices & Dreams in Action
August 20, 10:30 AM [Madison]
A session on turning bold ideas and voices into real strategy. Stories and lessons on moving from inspiration to action.
Cup of Joe featuring Oscar Aguilar
August 20, 11:00 AM [Madison]
A casual coffee conversation featuring Oscar Aguilar, sharing his perspective and experience with the community.
The Becoming Experience: Healing, Purpose & Entrepreneurship
August 20, 12:00 PM [Madison]
A session connecting healing and purpose with the entrepreneurial journey. Reflection on building a business in a way that aligns with who you are.
Overcoming Gender Bias by Adopting an Entrepreneurial Mindset
August 20, 12:00 PM [Madison]
A talk on using an entrepreneurial mindset to push past gender bias. Practical perspective for navigating barriers and building confidence as a founder.
Bridging Generations at Work: Leading Multigenerational Teams
August 20, 12:30 PM [Madison]
How to lead teams that span generations through technology and change. Practical approaches to communication, expectations, and getting the best from a mixed-age workforce.
Future of VC: Digital Assets & Policy
August 20, 1:00 PM [Madison]
A forward look at venture capital through the lens of digital assets and policy. How crypto, regulation, and capital are converging and what it means for founders and investors.
A Missing Opportunity: Bringing Agentic AI to UW-Madison
August 20, 1:00 PM [Madison]
A look at the opportunity to bring agentic AI to UW-Madison and the broader region. What is possible, what is missing, and why it matters for local innovation.
VentureHome Pitch Day
August 20, 3:00 PM [Madison]
A pitch day where founders present to investors and the community. See emerging companies make their case and get a feel for the local deal flow.
Certified Organic in Wisconsin & New Online Organic Directories
August 20, 3:00 PM [Madison]
How to get certified organic in Wisconsin and use the new state online organic directories. Useful for food and ag businesses looking to grow and get discovered.
High Tech Happy Hour 25th Anniversary Celebration
August 20, 5:00 PM [Madison]
The 25th anniversary celebration of High Tech Happy Hour, a long-running Madison tech networking tradition. Raise a glass and connect with the community.
You Don't Have to be Rich to be a Philanthropist
August 21, 8:00 AM [Madison]
A session reframing philanthropy as something you can start now, no fortune required. How to build a launchpad for the legacy and impact you want to leave.
You Vibe-Coded an App. Now What?
August 21, 9:00 AM [Madison]
You built an app with AI-assisted vibe coding. Now what? A practical session on taking a quick build toward something real, from cleanup to launch.
AI in Community Building: Build together
August 21, 9:00 AM [Madison]
How AI can strengthen community building and bring people together. A collaborative session on using new tools to grow and support communities.
Maintaining One's Humanity in an Age of AI
August 21, 10:00 AM [Madison]
A reflective conversation on staying human as AI reshapes work and life. How to hold onto values, judgment, and connection in an automated age.
Commercial Real Estate Leasing 101
August 21, 10:00 AM [Virtual]
The basics of commercial real estate leasing for businesses. What to know before you sign, from lease terms to negotiating the space your company needs.
From Side Hustle to Small Business
August 21, 12:00 PM [Virtual]
The path from side hustle to real small business. How to know when to commit, formalize, and grow something part-time into a company.
Fuel Your Growth: Define Your Market
August 21, 1:30 PM [Madison]
How defining your market sharpens everything downstream: awareness, messaging, and customer acquisition. A practical session on focusing your growth efforts.
The Traction Trap: How Angels Are Pricing Themselves Out of Their Own Asset Class
August 21, 2:30 PM [Madison]
A provocative take on how angel investors may be pricing themselves out of their own asset class by overweighting traction. Useful perspective for founders and investors alike.
Forward Fest Closing Happy Hour
August 21, 5:00 PM [Madison]
The closing happy hour to wrap up Forward Fest. One last chance to celebrate the week and connect with the founders, builders, and investors you have met.
Accountability Groups at StartingBlock
August 26, 9:00 AM [Madison]
A monthly check in for founders who want someone holding them to what they said they would do. Set goals, review KPIs, share progress, and work through hurdles with a group of other Madison entrepreneurs. Runs the fourth Wednesday of the month, so come once or make it a habit.
Founder Day: AI Meetup
August 26, 12:00 PM [Milwaukee]
An afternoon meetup for Milwaukee founders and mentors focused on vibecoding: building real software with AI tools. Kevin Ziegler compares popular options like Replit, Claude, Lovable, and Codex, and demos a fully functional app he built without writing a line of code, so you can pick the right tool for your goals.
September 2026 Events
VC Office Hours
September 2, 10:00 AM [Madison]
Mastercraft Ventures hosts VC Office Hours at StartingBlock Madison, right after 1MC. Founders can meet investors, get feedback on their startup, and ask questions. No formal presentations or speed rotations, just in-person conversations to help move your startup forward.
gBETA Wisconsin Frontier Technology Accelerator Showcase
September 2, 4:00 PM [Milwaukee]
Six startups from the gBETA Wisconsin Frontier Technology Accelerator give polished five-minute pitches, then stick around to talk with the community. The cohort works in advanced materials, AI, robotics, energy storage, and quantum computing. Held at WCTC in Pewaukee as part of the Wisconsin Frontier Technology Roundtable.
September Code & Coffee
September 5, 9:00 AM [Milwaukee]
A relaxed Milwaukee coding meetup for developers of every level, from dev-curious to professional. Bring a laptop and work on your own project, team up on something collaborative, or just talk shop over coffee with a friendly local tech community. Drop in for a bit or stay the whole morning.
September Code + Brews
September 9, 5:30 PM [Milwaukee]
An evening Milwaukee coding meetup for developers of every level, from dev-curious to professional. Bring a laptop to work on your own project, collaborate on something new, or just talk shop over drinks with a friendly local tech community. All skill levels welcome.
Founder Credit Club
September 10, 6:00 PM [Milwaukee]
Join the Midwest Founders Community for a night of rapid-fire pitches, meaningful connections, and community support. Whether you're looking for introductions, investors, partnerships, or something else, this is your chance to put your ask in the room.
StartingBlock: Tactical Skills Series featuring Alicia Greer
September 15, 12:00 PM [Madison]
Part of StartingBlock's Tactical Skills Lunch & Learn series. Alicia Greer of Berndt CPA breaks down the numbers that run your business, the financial fundamentals every founder should understand to make confident decisions. Bring your lunch and leave with practical takeaways for your bottom line.
Madison Area Software Developers Meetup Group Monthly Meetup
September 16, 6:00 PM [Madison]
A monthly gathering for Madison-area software developers to swap experiences and keep up with fast-moving tech. Conversation ranges across scripting and compiled languages, big data and microservices, mobile and IoT, web, and developer tooling. All levels welcome.
Startup Accelerator Programs & Pitch Contests
Programs
Level Set by StartingBlock
Open Enrollment for 2026
StartingBlock's Level Set program is a free, intense 6 week program designed to help you build and validate a business model. Offered 6x per year, we help you explore the pros and cons of different business models, model revenue, and get real world feedback on your ideas.
FOR-M Incubator by MKE Tech
Application Deadline: Rolling Applications
FOR-M is your first step to creating a tech startup company in Milwaukee. Solidify the startup idea that's been bouncing around in your head and understand your next steps. The six week program is free, hybrid, and built to fit around a day job. Spots are limited and filled on a rolling basis.
gBETA Madison
Application Deadline: Rolling Applications
gBETA is a free, seven week pre-accelerator for companies looking to achieve rapid growth or raise venture capital. No cost and no equity, with five companies per cohort getting one-on-one attention. Run by gener8tor.
Wisconsin Tech News
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Have questions?
We've got you. Ask away!
jacob@startupwi.org
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