Forward Festival: Full Schedule

8:00am CDT

Badger Startup Summit

The Badger Startup Summit will kickoff Forward Fest at the Discovery Building. The full day event will start at 8am with complimentary continental breakfast, tea and coffee before opening remarks will begin at 8:45am. Come for the full day or stop by for the segments that interest you, the choice is yours. Participate in the Pitch n Replay as either a startup or a mentor! Thanks to our generous sponsors, the Badger Startup Summit is free to attend this year!

Hosted by 100state

Session Organizers

JJ Pagac

Executive Director, 100 State

Monday August 21, 2023 8:00am - 4:00pm CDT
Discovery Building

Free Event, In Person

Event Type In Person

9:00am CDT

Forward Pass Pick Up and Social

Pick up your festival pass and have the opportunity to socialize with other festival attendees. Light bites and coffee
will be available on the 2nd floor lounge for approximately the first 30 attendees.

Hosted by StartingBlock Madison

Session Organizers

Leslie Weissburg

StartingBlock

Monday August 21, 2023 9:00am - 11:00am CDT
StartingBlock

Free Event, In Person

Event Type In Person

9:30am CDT

Startup Lingo - Decoding Startup Venture Investor Conversations

Limited Capacity full
Adding this to your schedule will put you on the waitlist.

Too often, entrepreneurs seeking investor dollars and those who want to become investors in startup ventures feel they can’t ask questions during investor meetings as to what is being discussed, and/or they feel the point of entry is too high even to explore the opportunity of investing in startup ventures. Startup Lingo - Decoding Startup Venture Investor Conversations will provide overviews and examples of terminology and situations where terms are used to help break down barriers and build confidence for people to enter these conversations. We'll do this by breaking down a Shark Tank TV show pitch, which highlights Wisconsin-based company Hug Sleep. This event is also a great opportunity to learn more about the Doyenne Investor Accelerator.

This event will be offered both in-person at StartingBlock Madison and virtual.

Directions for location and parking information will be sent to all attendees before the event.

Registered attendees will also receive an email with the Zoom link prior to the event.

We understand life happens. If you register one way and then plan to attend the other way, don't worry, all registered attendees will receive both attendance options to be able to join the event either way.

After the event, an email will be sent to all registered attendees for the recording of the workshop for you to watch as needed.

Hosted by Doyenne Group, Inc.

Session Organizers

Heather Wentler

Co-Founder, Doyenne Group

Heather Wentler believes all women and girls are strong, independent individuals capable of success. Professional trained as an educator, Heather pivoted into entrepreneurship as the Co-founder & Executive Director of Doyenne and the Founder of Fractal. She serves on various organizing... Read More →

Monday August 21, 2023 9:30am - 11:00am CDT
StartingBlock

Free Event, Hybrid

Event Type Hybrid

11:30am CDT

MadAI and Large Language Models

Limited Capacity seats available

Website

Our event will be live streamed around the state!!! You will not be able to attend in person. Here is the Wisconsin Eye link here. Special thank you to both Kairos Technologies and WisEye for helping make this event possible.

Details:
Large language models and Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) are all the rage.
GenAI technologies, such as large language models (LLMs) and diffusion models, have changed the computing landscape. They have enabled exciting applications, such as generating realistic images, automatic code completion, and document summarization. However, adversaries can use GenAI as well (this is the classic case of "dual use"). For example, adversaries can use GenAI to generate spearfishing emails or realistic-looking content that spreads is information. Note that these attacks were possible before, but the velocity/scale of these attacks might be greatly enhanced because of GenAI. However, we will discuss on risks of GenAI with focus on questions, such as:
[1] How could attackers leverage GenAI technologies?
[2] How should security measures change in response to GenAI technologies?
[3] What are some current and emerging technologies we should pay attention to for designing countermeasures?
The material is based on a workshop that was organized by Google,
Stanford, and UW-Madison.
We are honored to have Dr Somesh Jha, Lubar Professor in the Computer Sciences Department at theUniversity of Wisconsin (Madison) and member of the Langroid group presenting to MadAI.

Please sign up for the meetup group and add yourself to the attendee list so we have an acurate head count for this event.

Speaker: Dr Somesh Jha:
Somesh Jha received his B.Tech from Indian Institute of Technology,New Delhi in Electrical Engineering. He received his Ph.D. in ComputerScience from Carnegie Mellon University under the supervision ofProf. Edmund Clarke (a Turing award winner). Currently, Somesh Jha isthe Lubar Professor in the Computer Sciences Department at theUniversity of Wisconsin (Madison). His work focuses on analysis ofsecurity protocols, survivability analysis, intrusion detection,formal methods for security, and analyzing malicious code. Recently,he has focused his interested on privacy and adversarial ML(AML). Somesh Jha has published several articles in highly-refereedconferences and prominent journals. He has won numerous best-paper anddistinguished-paper awards. Prof. Jha received the CAV award for hiswork on CEGAR and also has received the IIT-Delhi Distinguished Alumniaward. Prof. Jha is the fellow of the ACM, IEEE, and AAAS.

Hosted by MadAI
Please also signup for our meetup group to be a part of our monthly meeting.

Click Here to View the Event Recording

Session Organizers

Chris Harrison

Foundational Engineer, Kairos Technologies, Inc.

Sponsors

Kairos Technologies

Monday August 21, 2023 11:30am - 12:30pm CDT
Virtual

Free Event, Virtual

Event Type Hybrid

4:00pm CDT

Forward Fest Happy Hour Launch Party

Limited Capacity filling up

Come celebrate the Kickoff of 2023 Forward Fest with a free pint of the latest Forward Festive-ale at Delta Beer Lab! Free SupraNet + John Kovalic pint glass and a pint of Forward Festival-ale beer from Delta Beer Lab for the first 70 attendees, hosted by SupraNet.

Hosted by SupraNet Communications, Inc.

Session Organizers

Rachel Whitmore (she/her)

VP of Strategic Business Development, SupraNet Communications, Inc.

Sponsors

SupraNet Communications, Inc.

Monday August 21, 2023 4:00pm - 7:00pm CDT
Delta Beer Lab

Free Event, In Person

Event Type In Person

8:30am CDT

When to Hire Your First Product Manager: Insights from Product Management Coaches

Limited Capacity seats available

As your business grows, managing your product becomes increasingly complex. Are you grappling with challenges like delays due to misaligned priorities and poor communication among teams? Is your team lacking a sense of purpose and clarity in their efforts? If these pain points resonate with you, it's a clear sign that it's time to consider hiring your first product manager. If so, it may be time to hire your first product manager. In this event, our product management coaches will discuss the key indicators that signal it's time to bring on a product management expert. We'll cover the benefits of why having a dedicated product manager is important and how to identify the right fit for your team. Join us to get guidance from our experienced product management coaches and learn how to take your product to the next level.

Hosted by Proven Process Group

Session Organizers

Tatum Kepler

Practicing Director of Product Management, Tatum Kepler

Craig Micon

Tuesday August 22, 2023 8:30am - 10:00am CDT
StartingBlock

Free Event, In Person

Event Type In Person

10:00am CDT

CONSTRUCTIVE JOY: Practical Steps to Bring Fun Back to Your Business

Limited Capacity seats available

My clients and colleagues often jest that I trick them and their teams into creatively approaching their most dreaded tasks and/or daunting projects from a place of “constructive joy,” ranging from networking at business events, growing their leadership skillsets to hammering away at high-impact projects. No tricking involved. It’s a customized practice fitted to each individual, team and organization.

At this mini workshop retreat, Hollie H. Hollister and friends will hold the space for you to breathe, playfully explore and (re)ignite your weekly “constructive joy” practice. In small intimate groups (a.k.a., your personal support squad), we’ll invite you to:

List up to three recurring work tasks or events that regularly drain your energy.
Select the one that feels the most draining.
Brainstorm how you could infuse one or more of your interests, passions and/or strengths so that it that would contribute to an uplifting or more energized experience.
AND most importantly celebrate you!

Hosted by H Cubed Group

Session Organizers

Hollie H. Hollister (She/Her)

Founder, H Cubed Group

Hollie H. Hollister is a pragmatic visionary who aspires to combinethe personal with the professional to bring fresh thinking, uniqueinsights and holistic solutions that help heart-based small businessowners grow their businesses and themselves (all without stiflingwho they are or... Read More →

Tuesday August 22, 2023 10:00am - 12:00pm CDT
DreamBank

Free Event, In Person

Event Type In Person

10:30am CDT

Impacts of AI on Web Development

We will take a look at the changing landscape of web development due to the recent innovations made in AI tech and how developers can leverage this tech in a responsible way. This event will be focused specifically for web developers, but can be applied to other programming positions. It will also useful for those in charge of running web development projects.

Click Here to View Event Recording

Session Organizers

Jamie Role

Director of Applications, Earthling Interactive

Tuesday August 22, 2023 10:30am - 11:00am CDT
Virtual

Free Event, Virtual

Event Type Virtual

11:00am CDT

Make Progress Not Motion

This workshop gives practical and tangible strategies to startups on how to make progress, not motion in their companies. Startups are great at making motion but how do you make sure you are working on the right things, pointing your company in the right direction and how are you maximizing the use of your precious resources? Startups will leave with a better sense of if they are using their resources towards their goals to help maximize the success of their business.

Hosted by Matchstick Ventures

Session Organizers

Shannon Shroyer

Matchstick Ventures

Tuesday August 22, 2023 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
StartingBlock

Free Event, In Person

Event Type In Person

11:00am CDT

The Art of Video Storytelling to Promote Your Biz

Video is the way of the world nowadays. In order to stand out as a business, you have to make people care about YOU. Learn to create videos and content that tug at the heartstrings, makes people FEEL something, and gives people a reason to remember you and support you.

Hosted by Beyond Words Productions

Session Organizers

Jamie Perez

Beyond Words Productions

Tuesday August 22, 2023 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Virtual

Free Event, Virtual

Event Type Virtual

12:00pm CDT

Cut the Confusion Out Of Your Advertising Decisions

Limited Capacity seats available

In a world full of advertising options, many businesses feel confused about how to make the 'right' advertising decisions. Erin Horswill, Principal at Atreyu+Bastion, will clear up the confusion. During this presentation, you'll learn; the simple metrics behind audience measurements allowing you to compare your options 'apples to apples,' how to start your advertising analysis with the consumer first, and set your campaign to be measured by something more meaningful than having to ask, "How did you hear about us?"

Hosted by Innovation Center Stoughton and Atreyu + Bastion.

Session Organizers

Erin Horswill

Katrina Becker

Innovation Center Stoughton

Tuesday August 22, 2023 12:00pm - 1:00pm CDT
Stoughton Fire Dept. Conference Room

Free Event, In Person

Event Type In Person

12:00pm CDT

Demystifying the Pro Forma: Building Financial Projections

Limited Capacity filling up

Website

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, confusion, and challenges. 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.

Hosted by UW-Madison SBDC

Click Here to Share Your Feedback

Session Organizers

Heather Ferguson

Program Manager, UW-Madison SBDC

Tuesday August 22, 2023 12:00pm - 1:30pm CDT
Virtual

Free Event, Virtual

Event Type Virtual

12:00pm CDT

Leverage a Mobile App for Your Organization

53% of U.S. residents own smartphones; 62% of them use applications, making mobile apps an effective way to reach customers. No wonder you see people head's down intend on their phone. In this workshop, you will learn how you could use an mobile app to engage your end user. Refreshments and pizza served!

Hosted by IH Concepts & 100State

Session Organizers

Ibrahim Harun

IH Concepts

Tuesday August 22, 2023 12:00pm - 1:30pm CDT
17 S Fairchild Street Floor 7

Free Event, In Person

Event Type In Person

3:00pm CDT

Pressure Chamber

Limited Capacity seats available

Website

SEPARATE REGISTRATION REQUIRED - https://members.madisonbiz.com/events/details/pressure-chamber-2023-23056

Please note: In fairness to all the participating companies, the doors will close and entry will be denied once the first company takes the stage at about 3:05 p.m. Late arrivals are welcome to return for the networking reception at 4:30 p.m.

Pressure Chamber returns for its 10th year as emerging companies again compete for the coveted “golden suitcase,” as well as a reserved spot in the Chamber's exclusive Greater Madison startup meetings with top Silicon Valley investment firms this fall. Participating companies will pitch in front of a panel of out-of-state investors, business executives and a live audience, with the winning company chosen based on a combination of judges scoring and audience votes.

Hosted by Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce

Session Organizers

Alanna Thiede

Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce

Sponsors

AirDeck

Fetch Rewards

JP Cullen

KennedyC

Michael Best

WARF

Tuesday August 22, 2023 3:00pm - 6:00pm CDT
Majestic Theatre

Premium Event, Pressure Chamber

Event Type In Person

6:30pm CDT

Side Project Work Night

Limited Capacity seats available

Working on a side project? Want to work together? Join us! Are you sick of talking about your idea and motivated to work on it? You're not alone! Come join us with your own personal project to work on, and hang out with others that are planning on working on their projects, too! Let's share the motivation and get things done! // The Rules No work-related projects No trying to sell people stuff No trying to pay someone else to do the work for you Anything else goes. Hardware, software, crafts, giggleware, or any other type of ware. All that matters is that you make something cool. // Interested in attending? Make sure to read the code of conduct (http://hackandtell.org/#code_of_conduct)!

Hosted by The Bodgery

Session Organizers

Ross Larson (he/him)

Software Developer, Forward Fest Board

Tuesday August 22, 2023 6:30pm - 8:30pm CDT
The Bodgery

Free Event, In Person

Event Type In Person

8:45am CDT

1 Million Cups Madison

1 Million Cups Madison believes in the notion that entrepreneurs can discover solutions and thrive when they collaborate over a million cups of coffee. We invite our community of founders, innovators, students, business executives, and entrepreneurship enthusiasts to attend, connect, and support our local startups. How it works… Presenters have six minutes to tell our community who you are, what you’re doing, and why you are doing it. Following the presentation, the audience has twenty minutes to provide feedback that will strengthen the presenter’s company. 1 Million Cups Madison is a free, weekly event designed to educate, engage, and accelerate early-stage startups. 1 Million Cups is sponsored by StartingBlock, Madison Black Chamber of Commerce and gener8tor.

Hosted by StartingBlock

Session Organizers

Leslie Weissburg

StartingBlock

Sponsors

gener8tor

Madison Black Chamber of Commerce

StartingBlock

Wednesday August 23, 2023 8:45am - 10:00am CDT
StartingBlock

Free Event, In Person

Event Type In Person

9:30am CDT

5x5x5

Website

Entrepreneurs apply to pitch in June (names to be released soon). A committee selects the 5 finalists, and they go through peer-mentoring pitch sessions to develop a 5 minute pitch based on judging criteria. At the event, everyone will be able to hear the pitches and watch as the panel of judges evaluates and select which presenter will be awarded the $5,000. We will be holding this year's event in a blended style for people to attend from wherever they are located.

This year's event will be held in room 213 at the Pyle Center on UW Madison's campus. Directions for location and parking information will be sent to all attendees before the event.

Registered attendees will also receive an email with the Zoom link prior to the event.

We understand life happens. If you register one way and then plan to attend the other way, don't worry, all registered attendees will receive both options and be able to join the event either way.

Hosted by Doyenne Group, Inc.

Session Organizers

Heather Wentler

Co-Founder, Doyenne Group

Sponsors

SBDC UW-Madison

Wednesday August 23, 2023 9:30am - 11:00am CDT
Pyle Center

Free Event, Hybrid

Event Type Hybrid

10:00am CDT

Founder Office Hours: 20 mins with a Matchstick Ventures Partner

Limited Capacity full
Adding this to your schedule will put you on the waitlist.

Website

Calling all founders building early stage startups! Apply here for a 20 minute time slot for office hours with one of the partners of Matchstick Ventures. We will follow up with your specific time slot one week prior to the event. Matchstick is an early stage venture firm investing at the pre-seed and seed stages with a focus on founders who have a tie to the Rockies and the North regions. We are super excited to meet you!

Hosted by Matchstick Ventures

Session Organizers

Shannon Shroyer

Matchstick Ventures

Wednesday August 23, 2023 10:00am - 12:00pm CDT
StartingBlock

Free Event, In Person

Event Type In Person

10:30am CDT

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Compliance in the Digital Age

Anybody who must comply with the ADA on their physical premises must comply on their website as well, but many businesses are not aware of this requirement, leading to staggering financial risk for many small organizations. Join us to learn more about your obligations, the risks of non-compliance, the numerous benefits of compliance, and your best path forward.

Click Here to View the Event Recording

Session Organizers

Allison Buhler

Earthling Interactive

Wednesday August 23, 2023 10:30am - 11:30am CDT
Virtual

Free Event, Virtual

Event Type Virtual

10:30am CDT

Madworks Fall Accelerator Information Session

Limited Capacity seats available

Interested in the Madworks Fall Accelerator? Listen to Susie Younkle and the Madworks Spring Cohort in a panel discussion. StartingBlock & Madworks partner to offer a 10-week accelerator program Fall 2023. The Madworks Accelerator powered by StartingBlock is a governance-focused accelerator located in Madison, Wisconsin. We will help founders create a strong, sustainable foundation for their growing companies. Get your strategic financials in order, learn to run an effective board meeting, tackle legal issues, learn about raising capital, and more – all while working with experienced mentors and Madworks + StartingBlock staff. Companies must be based in WI PROGRAM BENEFITS $6,500 in grant funding per participating team 1 year membership to StartingBlock (24x7 access), with an exclusive space at StartingBlock dedicated to Madworks companies Access to StartingBlock member benefits, including 90% discount on Hubspot CRM Regular access to Madworks & StartingBlock staff and connections to their network of mentors and experts.

Hosted by StartingBlock Madison

Session Organizers

Susie Younkle

Program Director, MERLIN Mentors & Madworks Accelerator

Contact Info: support@madworksaccelelerator.org

Sponsors

StartingBlock

Wednesday August 23, 2023 10:30am - 11:30am CDT
StartingBlock

Free Event, In Person

Event Type In Person

11:00am CDT

Madison's Pro Soccer Startup: How Forward Madison learned from its successes and challenges as we celebrate our 5th year in business!

Limited Capacity seats available

Hear from Forward Madison ownership group, Outreach manager, and some loyal fans on how the 2023 season has gone! What wins and losses can teach us as we look to celebrate our 5th year in business! Drinks and refreshments will be available to purchase. Hear the origin story of the club, 2023 success stories, and what we learned from last year to increase brand awareness in a digital world. Q&A session will follow, along with a tour of the stadium facility.

Session Organizers

Jovan Chavez

Latino Outreach Manager, Forward Madison FC

Evan Warwick

Forward Madison FC

Wednesday August 23, 2023 11:00am - 1:00pm CDT
Breese Stevens Field

Free Event, In Person

Event Type In Person

12:30pm CDT

Humans First, Technology Second: A Holistic Approach to Digital Transformation

Limited Capacity seats available

Website

Attendees: click the Video Stream link to view the event recording.

How do companies, strategic leaders, and technologists take advantage of the promise of digital transformation? Across industries, advanced technologies such as IoT, AI, and AV/VR are transforming how industries create and deliver value. However, the ability to implement these technologies and leverage their potential is just as dependent on the people, organizational structure, and cultural factors as it is the technology. In this session, participants will learn a holistic approach to digital transformation and understand that benefits may be realized when digital investments are combined with organizational adjustments.

Hosted by Blueprint for Engineering

Session Organizers

Sara Kraemer (she/her/hers)

Principal, Blueprint For Engineering

Sara Kraemer is the founder and principal of Blueprint for Engineering, an advisory andevaluation practice focused on holistic digital transformation for small to medium technology and engineeringfirms. Her work supports strategic leaders and technologists in framing and planning... Read More →

Wednesday August 23, 2023 12:30pm - 1:30pm CDT
Virtual

Premium Event, Humans First

Event Type Virtual

1:00pm CDT

Uncovering Blind Spots with Your Key Stakeholders Using Design Thinking

None of us know what we don’t know. How then, can we uncover important insights that may be critical to our entrepreneurial journey, yet completely obscured from our view? Empathetic interviewing is a practice at the heart of all human-centered design and business. In recent reports, the top performing quartile of businesses say that they incorporate design among their core practices. In this 1 hour deep-dive workshop you’ll learn about empathy, practice ways to create trusting space and honor silences that can give rise to entrepreneurial insight rooted in people’s needs and desires. This workshop is also a taste of UW-Madison’s Master of Science in Design + Innovation (MD+I): a collaborative, interdisciplinary program that teaches you the skills to solve complex, real-world problems using creativity.

Hosted by University of Wisconsin-Madison, M.S. Design + Innovation (MD+I)

Session Organizers

Trudy Watt

Academic Director, UW Madison School of Human Ecology

Trudy Watt is a designer, educator and pragmatic optimist who builds platforms, programs and projects to maximize compassionate design-driven collaboration for equitable well-being and a more regenerative future. She is currently working to expand transdisciplinary life-centered design... Read More →

Holly Anne Burns

Teaching, Learning + Technology Specialist, Design Thinking + Innovation, University of Wisconsin

Holly is a champion of design thinking and life-centered design. She has a passion for using strategic design to solve real-world challenges. Since graduating with her master’s degree in design management from Pratt Institute of Design in 2010, she has been leading cross-functional... Read More →

Sponsors

M.S. Design + Innovation (MD+I)

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Wednesday August 23, 2023 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT
UW-Madison Makerspace - Wendt Commons

Free Event, In Person

Event Type In Person

2:00pm CDT

Build a Company from the Inside Out

The vast majority of startups fail due to co-founder conflict or misalignment. We've seen co-founders not working effectively together or co-founder animosity end up sinking the company. This workshop gives strategies and tools to be sure founders are aligned, make better decisions, and reduce the risk of personal or co-founder issues being the reason a company fails. Founders will leave the workshop with more awareness around how they show up in their business and more tools around how to build the inner personal side of the company so they are more successful in the long term.

Hosted by Matchstick Ventures

Session Organizers

Shannon Shroyer

Matchstick Ventures

Wednesday August 23, 2023 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT
StartingBlock

Free Event, In Person

Event Type In Person

3:30pm CDT

From Side Hustle to Small Business

Limited Capacity filling up

Website

Have you been thinking about turning your hobby into a business, but aren’t sure where to start? Do you have a side hustle that’s grown and you want to explore next steps? Are you interested in learning more about how to explore a business idea you have? This session will teach you how to use a visual business planning tool call the Business Model Canvas. This tool will help you understand how 9 functional areas of business work together to create a model of operation that can help you determine whether it is time to take the leap to full-time. The class will also give you information about resources and next steps.

Hosted by UW-Madison SBDC

Pease Click Here to Share Your Feedback

Session Organizers

Heather Ferguson

Program Manager, UW-Madison SBDC

Wednesday August 23, 2023 3:30pm - 4:45pm CDT
Virtual

Free Event, Virtual

Event Type Virtual

4:00pm CDT

Local Food Entrepreneur Showcase

For 25 years REAP Food Group has connected consumers, eaters, and buyers to local food producers through our Farm Fresh Atlas, Farm to School program, and Farm to Families program. REAP's mission is to transform communities through the power of good food. REAP Food Group is hosting a local food showcase featuring entrepreneurs of color from the Madison area Come meet local farmers, chefs, caterers, and food producers, hear their stories and taste their foods! If you represent an institution looking to expand local food purchasing or a consumer wanting to support more local food entrepreneurs, this event will be the perfect opportunity for you! We will have cooking and educational demonstrations from local chefs featuring foods available from farmers, samples, and more! Come to Garver Feed Mill located at 3241 Garver Green on the historic east side of Madison and experience a taste of Madison while exploring the businesses and organizations at Garver as well. This event is generously sponsored by Silver Linings Foundation and cohosted by Garver Events.

Confirmed Vendors include:

FarmHer Greens
Cafe Costa Rica
Tortillas Los Angeles (Demo on toritlla making at 5:15 PM)
Urban Triage Agriculture Program
Loveland Acres
Farley Center
Gani Moon Farms
Kosa Spa (demo on aryuvedic seasonal eating at 4:30)
Roll Play
White Jasmine
Sabor Criollo
FairShare
Booker Botanicals
Mentoring Positives
Nommli
Flavor Temptations
Gooh Grocery
mad Maiden Shrubs
Madame Chu
Farmer Sebastian
Gianna's Sweets
Jumping Spider Farm
Super Charge Foods
Blended Sistas
Squashington Farm

Session Organizers

Philip Kauth

Executive Director, REAP Food Group

Sponsors

Silver Linings Foundation

Wednesday August 23, 2023 4:00pm - 6:00pm CDT
Garver Feed Mill

Free Event, In Person

Event Type In Person

4:30pm CDT

M25, Matchstick Ventures & SVB Madison Cocktail Hour

Limited Capacity full
Adding this to your schedule will put you on the waitlist.

M25 and Matchstick Ventures invite you for tasty snacks, refreshing drinks, and an exceptional view. Join us in bringing together some of Madison’s fellow founders, investors, and community champions as we celebrate tech and entrepreneurs at Forward Fest. Happy Hour begins at 4:30PM. Light bites will be served throughout the evening. We look forward to seeing you there! Thanks to SVB for the generous support!

Hosted by M25, Matchstick Ventures and SVB

Session Organizers

Shannon Shroyer

Matchstick Ventures

Wednesday August 23, 2023 4:30pm - 7:30pm CDT
Eno Vino Downtown

Free Event, In Person

Event Type In Person

5:00pm CDT

Urban Office Co. Happy Hour

Limited Capacity full
Adding this to your schedule will put you on the waitlist.

Urban Office Co. would like to welcome you to come and enjoy some hors d'oeuvres, provided by Marigold Kitchen, and drinks while viewing our stunning coworking office space in the heart of downtown.

Hosted by Urban Land Interests

Session Organizers

Heather Imrie

ULI

Wednesday August 23, 2023 5:00pm - 7:00pm CDT
Urban Office Co.

Free Event, In Person

Event Type In Person

5:00pm CDT

Forward Fest x PechaKucha

Limited Capacity seats available

Website

Join us on August 23rd for “Forward Fest x PechaKucha” as our speakers showcase innovative and creative ideas that elevate Wisconsin to the next level. PechaKucha is one of 50+ events during the Forward Festival, bringing together entrepreneurs and creatives in a 5-day celebration of innovation, technology, and collaboration. The evening will kick off with a happy hour and networking opportunity in collaboration with Women in BioHealth from 5:00-6:00pm.

Hosted by High Tech Happy Hour

Session Organizers

Bob Vanden Burgt

Yahara Software

Sponsors

Discovery 2 Product, University of Wisconsin - Madison

High Tech Happy Hour

Innovate Network, University of Wisconsin - Madison

Monona Terrace

SupraNet Communications, Inc.

Women in BioHealth

Yahara Software

Wednesday August 23, 2023 5:00pm - 8:00pm CDT
Monona Terrace

Free Event, In Person

Event Type In Person

5:30pm CDT

Happy Hour with Venture Capitalists

Limited Capacity full
Adding this to your schedule will put you on the waitlist.

Website

The Badger Fund and the Badger portfolio fund, the Winnow fund is buying beer, pizza and sponsoring a Jazz at Five party patio to bring together VC fund managers and startup entrepreneurs to grow the local startup eco system. Stop by to have fun, pizza and beer and meet the VC fund managers that make investments in our local entrepreneurs.

Sponsored by Badger Fund of Funds, Idea Fund, Venture Investors, WARF and Winnow Fund

Session Organizers

Spencer Spencer

Jazz at Five

Sponsors

Badger Fund

Idea Fund

Jazz at Five

Venture Investors

WARF

Winnow Fund

Wednesday August 23, 2023 5:30pm - 7:30pm CDT
Outdoor Location, Top of State Street (100 State St.)

Free Event, In Person

Event Type In Person

8:30am CDT

The Influencer Effect: Unlocking Project Success through Champions

Join Dawn Mullarney, Founder of Unique Connector, and Vanessa Costanzo, VP of Operations for NaviCu, as they share their expertise on driving successful projects and navigating organizational change. In this insightful session, they will delve into the crucial task of identifying internal influencers or champions within your organization, and how to use and leverage their support to create successful projects. Discover strategies and methods to uncover these influential individuals who can play a pivotal role in project success, and learn how to effectively engage and empower them to drive positive outcomes, overcome resistance, and foster collaboration. Dawn and Vanessa will also explore the broader significance of preparing your organization to embrace change in today's rapidly evolving business landscape. Whether you are embarking on a technology project or seeking to navigate change in any aspect of your organization, this presentation will equip you with practical insights and actionable steps to identify, engage, and leverage your internal champions. Don't miss this opportunity to unlock the keys to project success and foster a culture of collaboration and resilience in your organization.
Hosted by Unique Connector & NaviCu

Session Organizers

Dawn Mullarney

Founder, Unique Connector

Vanessa Costanzo

VP of Operations, NaviCu

Sponsors

Serendipity Labs

Thursday August 24, 2023 8:30am - 9:30am CDT
Serendipity Labs

Free Event, In Person

Event Type In Person

9:00am CDT

DevFest WI 2023

Limited Capacity seats available

Website

DevFest WI is an inclusivity-themed conference for any and all folks in tech. Now in our fifth year, we're returning again to the beautiful UW Memorial Union for a day filled with a wide variety of talks on topics related to building inclusive and accessible products, teams, and environments.

Presentation schedule

(See full schedule here)

“Globalization at Fetch: Spanish & Beyond”
David Bacisin (Fetch Rewards)

“How to Recruit (for Non-Recruiters)”
Amanda Daering (Newance)

"What exactly is the accessibility tree?”
Sayan Sivakumaran

“Alt Text Is Your Superpower”
Clarissa Peterson (WebFirst)

“Laugh and Learn with Leadership Improv!”
Amanda Thornton and Jason Erdmann (UW-Madison)

“I’m Not Shy, I’m Just Thinking About Everything”
Kathrin Rohrmeier

“Compassionate Code Review”
Brandon Hawker (Fetch Rewards)

“How Technology Affects Non-Profits’ Social Impact”
Paul Pham (The Trevor Project)

“Stress at Work”
Ross Larson (Paradigm)

Who are we?

2023’s event is organized by a women and POC team comprising members of Google Developer Group Madison, Codecinella, Madison Women in Tech, and volunteers from the local tech community.

What is the conference like?

The conference is held in a wheelchair accessible space, and the Union has gender neutral bathrooms available. We provide breakfast items and lunch, and offer multiple breaks throughout the day to recharge or make a new friend.

Do you have a code of conduct?

We sure do! https://www.devfestwi.com/code-of-conduct

Who should attend?

You! We specifically include a variety of presentations so that everyone can walk away with something new, whether you're a student or decades into your career - and you don't need to be a programmer! Because our theme is inclusivity, our content is deliberately applicable across a wide variety of roles and experience.

Did we mention we also have a job fair?

For the second year in a row, Madison Women in Tech is hosting a free job fair for women and nonbinary folks as part of DevFest! (You don't need a DevFest ticket to attend.) Learn more: https://forwardfestival2023.sched.com/event/6a5183614e5a7bdcb817cbc3399d008c

Session Organizers

Hilary Stohs-Krause

Forward Fest Board

Sponsors

Google

Thursday August 24, 2023 9:00am - 4:30pm CDT
Memorial Union - Tripp Hall

Premium Event, DevFest

Event Type In Person

10:00am CDT

Harness Your Marketing, Business Identity, and Politics

From the recent Bud Light controversy to the repeated controversies with Starbucks, Target, and Disney, we see that (even if you’re a startup or small business) you and your business can’t stay out of politics. So, instead of ignoring politics and risking your business (Bud Light just lost $27 billion dollars market value), embrace them. In this workshop, learn how to use your marketing to authentically communicate who you are, to genuinely connect with your customers, and to thoroughly defend you from public relation controversies.

Hosted by Score _ Madison

Session Organizers

George Wennerlyn

SCORE Madison

Thursday August 24, 2023 10:00am - 11:00am CDT
Virtual

Free Event, Virtual

Event Type Virtual

10:00am CDT

Usability Research: What! Why?

Click Here to View the Presentation
Password: =+*t70?n

Whether you've got a four-year-old website out in the wild, a brand-new idea for an application, research is your friend who can help you make decisions based on data instead of guesses based on gut. This talk is for anyone who wants to create better products that people like to use. Come along with me as we explore the anatomy of a Usability Test so you can make a difference on your project!

Hosted by Earthling Interactive

Session Organizers

Bekee Gibson (she/her)

Director Marketing Technologies, Earthling Interactive

People will hear me talking about dogs, food, knitting, Fallout 4, and polymer clay. But, I'm also passionate about building usable digital experiences for both customers and administrators. Having been no stranger to repetitive stress disorders, I live to automate repetitive processes... Read More →

Thursday August 24, 2023 10:00am - 11:00am CDT
Virtual

Free Event, Virtual

Event Type Virtual

10:00am CDT

Fem-preneurs: Bold Narratives and What it Takes to Make Your Break

A Story Panel and Social Hour

This session includes an interactive and engaging six person panel about successful entrepreneurship.

The purpose of this session is to encourage, support and champion entrepreneurship by sharing stories of business startups from people who have done it. The title is not meant to exclude anyone and all interested are highly encouraged to come to this fun and entertaining event!

Session Agenda:

10:00 to 10:15 - Registration, Coffee and Pastries
10:15 to 11:00 - Panel, Diana Pastrana, Founder of DEFYNE is the moderator.

5 Panelists:

Jazmynn Appleton, Manager of Entrepreneurial Opportunities, Progress Center for Black Women
Candy Phelps, Founder of Bizzy Bizzy
MJ Reiners, President of Summerland Education
Leah Roe, Founder of The Perk
Victoria Thayer, Founder of Novii CPA

11:15 to Noon - Social Hour: Music, Mimosas and Fun!

Some of the panel themes will address:

The common struggles, overcoming fear and self doubt of starting out
Getting out of our comfort zone - what skills did we have to learn, what self changes did we have to make
The unique struggles each faced
Why we did it and what drove us
What would we recommend to others from inspiration to support

Hosted by Summerland Education

Session Organizers

Dan Roe

The Perk

MJ Reiners

President, Summerland Education

I help leaders and organizations Make Change Stick!Did you know that 70% of business change efforts fail? After working on large scaletransformation projects for over 20 years, I want to share what I have learned with othersso they can beat those odds!My mission is to see Change Makers... Read More →

Sponsors

Bizzy Bizzy

Defyne

Frank Production Concerts

Novii CPA

Progress Center for Black Women

Summerland Education

The Perk

Thursday August 24, 2023 10:00am - 12:00pm CDT
High Noon Saloon

Free Event, In Person

Event Type In Person

10:00am CDT

2nd Annual Job Fair for Women and Non-Binary Folks in Tech

Madison Women in Tech is hosting our second annual job fair as part of DevFest WI and Forward Fest!

Join us Aug. 24th at the Memorial Union to explore opportunities with a wide variety of both Madison-based and national employers, everything from startups to national corporations. Bring your friends!

(Psst ... is your company hiring and interested in having a booth? Let us know via admin@madisonwomen.tech 🤓)
While the vast majority of Madison Women in Tech events are open to all genders, this event is being organized specifically for women and nonbinary folks. We firmly ask that men respect this and refrain from attending.

WHAT COMPANIES WILL BE THERE?
We've already confirmed companies in gaming, consulting, finance and startups, as well as several recruiting companies representing a vast array of opportunities. Bring your resumes and questions, and explore a wide variety of openings in your own backyard!

We'll update the list of participating companies throughout the next two months. Current companies:

Raven Software
Exact Sciences
Fetch Rewards
Flagrant
findhelp
Epic Systems
Beacon Technologies
Carex Consulting Group
Filament Games
University of Wisconsin
Baker Tilly Consulting
Summit Credit Union
CapSpecialty
Moxe Health
Singlewire Software
Plus a local office for an international company whose branding we're not allowed to use because #corporate ;)

SCHEDULE
Come by anytime between 10am and 2pm; this is a drop-in event.

TRANSPORTATION
Memorial Union is located on the UW Madison campus near downtown. There is limited on-street parking; the following garages are nearby:

Helen C. White Garage
State Street Campus Garage - Lake St.

The following bus lines come within a few blocks:
A, B, C, D, F, R, 28, 38, 65, 80

ACCESSIBILITY / INCLUSION
Memorial Union is wheelchair accessible and has gender neutral bathrooms, as well as bathrooms with baby changing stations.
While the vast majority of our events are open to all genders, this event is being organized specifically for women and nonbinary folks. We firmly ask that men respect this and refrain from attending.
If you have another accessibility concern, we encourage you to reach out to us directly at admin@madisonwomen.tech.

CODE OF CONDUCT
All attendees agree to adhere to the Madison Women in Tech code of conduct: http://coc.madisonwomen.tech

ABOUT MADISON WOMEN IN TECH
Madison Women in Tech is a supportive, inclusive community of women and gender nonbinary folks working or interested in technology, from designers to programmers to recruiters to students. Through regular events and a digital newsletter, we empower and elevate women and enbys in Madison’s tech scene.

Sign up for our semi-monthly newsletter, featuring community events, WiT news, volunteer opportunities and job openings.

See our full FAQ here.

Session Organizers

Pao Care

Madison Women in Tech

Hilary Stohs-Krause

Forward Fest Board

Thursday August 24, 2023 10:00am - 2:15pm CDT
UW Memorial Union - Great Hall

Free Event, In Person

Event Type In Person

11:30am CDT

So, You Want to Start [or Grow!] A Business: Fastracking Entrepreneurship Through Franchising

Website

Intrigued by entrepreneurship, but not sure where to start? Interested in using a tested model to streamline your success? Been successful, but looking to grow? If you've been thinking about entrepreneurship or curious about turning your business into a franchise, this session is for you!

Hosted by UW-Madison SBDC

Please Click Here to Share Your Feedback

Session Organizers

Heather Ferguson

Program Manager, UW-Madison SBDC

Thursday August 24, 2023 11:30am - 12:45pm CDT
Virtual

Free Event, Virtual

Event Type Virtual

12:00pm CDT

Founder Spotlight Presented by WiSys VentureHome

Website

View the recording of the ounder Spotlight Presented by WiSys VentureHome during Forward Fest 2023 here.

Attend the Founder Spotlight Presented by WiSys VentureHome during Forward Fest to learn about WiSys VentureHome® and hear pitches from founders who have gone through the five-month Level Up!TM Pre-seed Accelerator Program. WiSys VentureHome® is an initiative established in 2020 to support scalable startups in communities across Wisconsin. The Level Up!TM Pre-seed Accelerator Program is an action-oriented five-month program that helps founders take their scalable business or idea to the next level. During this virtual event, you will have the opportunity to hear the business pitches from past Level Up! founders and the progress they have made since joining the program.

Hosted by WiSys VentureHome

Session Organizers

Adhira Sunkara

Manager of Innovative Ventures, WiSys

Wilson Fay

Innovative Ventures Associate, WiSys

Thursday August 24, 2023 12:00pm - 1:00pm CDT
Zoom

Free Event, Virtual

Event Type Virtual

12:30pm CDT

Bringing in PhD talent: Creating a clear path to overcome hiring challenges together

Is your company hiring PhD-level talent only to find the process time-consuming and costly, with few perfect matches for the role? Are you a PhD lost in hours of sifting through applications, struggling to find your place in the industry job market? At our upcoming workshop, we’ll be diving in to find solutions to this common matchmaking problem that hiring managers and PhDs have been banging their heads against the wall trying to solve. We will start the session with a roundtable discussion to better understand the issues on both sides of the table (literally) before breaking out into small group brainstorms to workshop tactical solutions to redesign how we search for and hire PhD talent. At ProPhounD, we know that getting smart, driven, qualified individuals into the right jobs can have a major impact on the world, and we're always looking for new, collaborative ways to connect impactful organizations with high-potential candidates. You have the expertise and experience, this is your chance to customize PhD career development and hiring pipelines to your actual needs!

Hosted by ProPhounD

Session Organizers

Alison Deatsch

CEO / Research Scientist, ProPhounD / UW-Madison

Thursday August 24, 2023 12:30pm - 2:00pm CDT
Zoom

Free Event, Virtual

Event Type Virtual

2:30pm CDT

Adoption of AI Engineering

Limited Capacity filling up

Demonstration of solutions that complement traditional engineering practices with AI. View productivity and quality
trends post implementation of AI engineering practices.

This event will be taking place at StartingBlock - Digital Den. A photo ID may be requested upon entrance to the building.

Hosted by American Technology Consulting - ATC

Session Organizers

Don Eiling

Region Director, ATC

ATC is a software product company. We help our clients build innovative tech ranging from Saas, and Cloud to RPA and Tech Modernization. We are also applying the benefits of AI (Artifcial Intelligence) to the SDLC, Testing and IT Operations to help provide real-time visability... Read More →

Thursday August 24, 2023 2:30pm - 3:30pm CDT
StartingBlock

Free Event, In Person

Event Type In Person

5:00pm CDT

High Tech Happy Hour Anniversary Celebration

Limited Capacity seats available

Website

Join SupraNet Communications and Yahara Software for the 22nd Anniversary of High Tech Happy Hour! Raise a glass, network and help us celebrate 22 years of connecting the Madison community!

Hosted by SupraNet Communications, Inc. and Yahara Software

Session Organizers

Rachel Whitmore (she/her)

VP of Strategic Business Development, SupraNet Communications, Inc.

Sponsors

SupraNet Communications, Inc.

Yahara Software

Thursday August 24, 2023 5:00pm - 8:00pm CDT
Memorial Union

Free Event, In Person

Event Type In Person

5:30pm CDT

Cybersecurity for Startups: 5 Steps to Protect Your Business

Limited Capacity seats available

Website

In an ever-evolving threat landscape, it can be a daunting task to approach cybersecurity as a startup. Casey Cammilleri, CEO & Founder of Sprocket Security breaks it down with a simple 5-step process to build an effective security program. You'll learn how to measure key controls, where to start, and how to apply it all to your business.

Hosted by Sprocket Security

Networking will start at 5:30pm with the presentation starting around 6pm. Drinks and apps will be provided.

How to find us

You can find us in the cafe on the 3rd Floor of the Spark Building (821 E Washington Ave, Madison, WI 53703). Walk in through the building's main doors (west side of the building). This is in the walkway between The Spark and Gebhardt Building. Someone will be at the door to let you in. Head straight back to the elevators, go to the 3rd floor, and head down the hallway to the left. Street parking is available or use the South Livingston St. garage.

If you have trouble finding the main door, please contact Carly @ 608-843-4594

Session Organizers

Carly Hochstein

Sprocket Security

Thursday August 24, 2023 5:30pm - 7:30pm CDT
StartingBlock

Free Event, In Person

Event Type In Person

10:00am CDT

Social Good Summit

The Social Good Summit is about how entrepreneurs can do better for the communities in which they reside. Better work, better pay, better treatment of staff, better community support, and so much more. Each year, we explore either issues or opportunities— how to tackle specific problems that can be the root of organizational inequities or opportunities to learn, guide, or work with other social entrepreneurs.

Hosted by Collaboration for Good

Session Organizers

Alnisa Allgood

Collaboration for Good

Friday August 25, 2023 10:00am - 1:00pm CDT
Madison Public Library

Free Event, In Person

Event Type In Person

10:00am CDT

Power Up Wisconsin Gaming & Esports Summit

Limited Capacity seats available

Website

Whether you're a game developer, a passionate Esports competitor, an innovative educator, or simply someone curious about the world of gaming, the Power Up WI Gaming Summit promises to be an unmissable event. This networking and learning event will take place on Fri Aug 25 2023 at The Red Zone 1212 Regent Street, Madison, WI 53715.
An inclusive event for everyone in the community

🌟 Highlights of the Summit 🌟

🔹 Engaging Panel : Be inspired by industry leaders who have shaped the gaming, esports, and education sectors.
Opening Remarks: Jenifer Javornik Filament Games & Wisconsin Games Alliance
Inspirational Speaker: Keith Fuller
Closing Keynote: Timothy Gerritsen, Lost Boys Interactive

Brandon Tschacher (Moderator) - Milwaukee Esports Alliance
Brian Pelletier (Bethesda - Roundhouse)
Timothy Gerritsen   Lost Boys Interactive
Michael Chang Gummelt ZeniMax Studios
Jennifer Javornik        Filament Gaming
Dr. Krista-Lee Malone   UW Esports

🔹 Interactive Breakout Groups: Join lively discussions on your favorite topics

Richard Borys - Virtual & Augmented Reality
Kevin Brok "Trainwiz" - Modding
Michael Yurkew (Mushka) - Virtual Reality Artist
Coach Mund - Edgewood Esports
Brandon Tschacher - Esports

🔹 Networking Opportunities: Connect with fellow attendees, exchange ideas, and form meaningful partnerships.

🔹Happy Hour, Raffle, Game Sale/Lounge, Esports, Virtal Reality, Massage, Great Food, Plus Happy Hour Hosted by Wisconsin Games Alliance!

Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity! Mark your calendars for Fri Aug 25 2023 and join us at The Red Zone 1212 Regent Street, Madison, WI 53715 for the
Power Up WI Gaming & Esport Summit.

Session Organizers

Naomi Shumway

Git Gud Gaming Lounge

Sponsors

The Red Zone - The Annex

Friday August 25, 2023 10:00am - 4:00pm CDT
The Annex - Red Zone

Premium Event, Esports Summit

Event Type In Person

12:00pm CDT

StartingBlock / Feed Kitchen Hot Lunch

Limited Capacity seats available

StartingBlock's Forward Fest Hot Lunch will feature Paddy's Patties original smash burger made with locally sourced meat, black bean burgers along with a full condiment bar & Chips. Enjoy a cool mug of the Forward Fest Ale.

Enjoy the food and mingling on the 3rd floor deck.
Hosted by StartingBlock Madison

Session Organizers

Leslie Weissburg

StartingBlock

Sponsors

StartingBlock

Friday August 25, 2023 12:00pm - 2:00pm CDT
StartingBlock

Premium Event, StartingBlock / Feed Kitchen Hot Lunch

Event Type In Person

5:30pm CDT

Rooftop Social Wrap Party

Rooftop Social Wrap Party
*NOTE: new location this year!*
Event Timing: 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Venue: Block 89 4th Floor Rooftop Terrace.
Getting There: head to the 33 E Main Lobby entrance, and from there, take the elevator up to the 4th floor.
Sponsors: 10 Forward and Horizon Coworking

Friday August 25, 2023 5:30pm - 8:00pm CDT
Block 89 4th Floor Rooftop Terrace

Free Event, In Person

Event Type In Person