Helping tech founders, startups, investors, and talent get connected and discover events and programs across Wisconsin since 2017.
July 2026: Summer is Heating Up with Forward Fest Around the Corner
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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. We're excited to share that we've added a new publication feed to our website to compliment the storytelling we do with the podcast and make smaller stories more accessible and visible to the world! This is separate from our typical news feed, which is just automatically aggregated from multiple news sources. The Startup Wisconsin Blog will feature new and unique stories. Have a story to tell? We'd love to hear about it and get your story or news published. New on the blog
Now Anyone Can Build for Their Community. Wisconsin Already Is. 3 Wisconsin Startups Bringing AI to Food and Ag Right Now 3 Real AI Deployments Wisconsin Manufacturers Should Know About What Are Wisconsin Companies Actually Doing with AI? New on the podcastEP 20 Upcoming EventsFilter these events by city and topic on our events page and see what's coming up in April. July 2026 EventsJuly 9, 6:30 PM [Madison] A fast-paced night of Python lightning talks at the Downtown Madison Public Library. Local members share quick talks spanning infrastructure to AI coding, from k9s to Solveit to agent MCP versus skills. A relaxed, welcoming way to learn something unexpected and meet friendly developers. All are welcome. StartingBlock: Tactical Skills Series featuring Jason Weaver July 14, 12:00 PM [Madison] Part of StartingBlock's Tactical Skills Lunch & Learn series, this session with Jason Weaver of Halo tackles the founder sales trap: practical, actionable guidance to help founders sell more effectively without losing focus on building the business. Bring your lunch and leave with something useful the same afternoon. StartingBlock's Her Network fireside chat with Katy Ripp July 15, 9:00 AM [Madison] A Her Network fireside chat with entrepreneur and community builder Katy Ripp on giving yourself permission to fail. She shares lessons from launching, growing, and sometimes letting go of businesses, how to know when to pivot, and why building authentic community takes courage and vulnerability. Audience Q&A included. WMEP Manufacturing Solutions AI Navigator Workshop July 15, 9:00 AM [Milwaukee] Start with the business problem, not the technology. This hands-on workshop helps manufacturing leadership teams evaluate AI opportunities through the lens of real business challenges. With AI education, guided exercises, and expert coaching, your team aligns on a priority challenge and leaves with a practical action plan. July 15, 5:30 PM [Milwaukee] An intentional social welcoming new tech workers into the Greater Milwaukee tech community, built around connection and belonging. Meet the people, companies, and opportunities shaping the region's growing ecosystem, whether you're new to town, a new MKE Tech member, or a local looking to get more involved. Madison Area Software Developers Meetup Group Monthly Meetup July 15, 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, with a focus on lifelong learning and local networking. All levels welcome. July 21, 11:45 AM [Madison] If you've never been to a Geek Lunch, it's an engaging conversation with your geekiest friends, where the topic bounces around depending on whatever anyone wants to contribute. All are welcome regardless of where you lie on any imaginary geek scale. Think "The Algonquin Round Table" with an emphasis on tech. StartingBlock presents: Accountability Groups July 22, 9:00 AM [Madison] A monthly accountability group for founders and entrepreneurs, held on the fourth Wednesday. Show up, share what you're working on, and let the group help hold you accountable. Together you'll crowdsource strategies to beat procrastination and put solid goal-setting practices to work. Come once or make it a monthly habit. July 29, 9:00 AM [Milwaukee] A day of resources for Milwaukee's startup founders at Ward4. Drop in for open coworking, mentor office hours, coffee and snacks, and a networking happy hour to close things out. Come for an hour or stay the whole day. Mentor matching stays light and casual, so bring an open mind and expect good conversations and new connections. August 2026 EventsAugust 1, 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. August 17, 8:00 AM [Madison] An interactive Forward Fest session on rolling with the surprises that come with building something new. 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. August 17, 1:00 PM [Madison] 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 [Madison] 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 [Madison] 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. 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. Part of Forward Fest 2026. 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 [Madison] 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. 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. From Research to Revenue: Where Deep Tech Gets Stuck and Why August 19, 10:00 AM [Madison] 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. 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. Fireside Chat with WEDC Secretary John Miller and Maggie Brickerman August 19, 11:30 AM [Madison] A fireside conversation with WEDC Secretary John Miller and Maggie Brickerman 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 [Madison] 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 [Madison] A primer on patents for founders: what can be protected, when filing makes sense, and how to think about intellectual property as you build. 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. 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, with a focus on lifelong learning and local networking. All levels welcome. Pricing Model Mastery - Part 1: Turn Customer Perception Into Revenue August 20, 7:30 AM [Madison] 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. 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 [Madison] Part two of the pricing masterclass, a smaller add-on session offering personalized guidance to apply pricing strategy directly to your own business. 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 [Madison] 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Commercial Real Estate Leasing 101 August 21, 10:00 AM [Madison] 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. 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. From Side Hustle to Small Business August 21, 12:00 PM [Madison] 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. 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. Startup Accelerator Programs & Pitch ContestsPitch ContestsPressure Chamber Whether your company is currently raising or planning to raise investment capital in the future, Pressure Chamber is a valuable platform to tell your story and make new connections across the country. ProgramsLevel Set by StartingBlock StartingBlock's Level Set program is an 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 2025 Incubator by MKE Tech 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. This program is limited to 25 founders and will begin accepting folks immediately…so apply soon! gener8tor Madison Accelerator 2026 gener8tor Madison invests in six high-growth startups per cohort. This is an industry-agnostic and business model-agnostic program. We accept ALL types of startups across ALL industries and business models. Wisconsin Tech NewsHave questions? |
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Helping tech founders, startups, investors, and talent get connected and discover events and programs across Wisconsin since 2017.
Episode 20 now available! Ep 20 - Jessica Martin Eckerly, CEO and Co-Founder, Forward BIOLABS How Forward BIOLABS Gives Wisconsin's Biotech Founders a Running Start Forward BIOLABS didn't start with a $5 million check. It started with a napkin scratch. When Jessica Martin Eckerly was at WiCell, a UW-Madison collaborator came asking for a little extra lab space to start a company. They made room. Within a couple of years that company had revenue and pharma collaborations, and other researchers...
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. I'll actually be in MKE on Saturday June 6th for the Sit By Me - V3 Launch Party. So if you're attending, please come say hello, I'd love to meet you and hear what you're working on. If you haven't registered, this is a great opportunity to get connected. The community wants you there and is here to help....
Episode 19 now available! Ep 19 - Jon Eckhardt, Pyle Bascom Professor, Wisconsin School of Business Inside the Founder Forward Vision for UW-Madison Jon Eckhardt asked one question: what would Google do if it ran this university and wanted to produce more entrepreneurs? His team surveyed the entire student body. 20% had product or service ideas. They were in history, political science, women's studies, engineering, medicine. The university needed to create a better system to support them....