Forward Fest 2026

Monday August 17, 2026 8:00am - 8:45am CDT

TBA

Limited Capacity seats available

Ticketed, In Person (You Didn't Sign Up For This)

You Didn't Sign Up For This

A 1-hour session for founders who are building a business — not running errands for one

You launched a startup to build something. Instead, you're switching between 8 tools, chasing invoices, fixing shift schedules, and wondering why your ""lean team"" still feels like chaos.

This session is for founders who are done with that.

In one hour, we'll show you how fast-moving startups are collapsing their entire ops stack — CRM, projects, HR, contracts, billing — into a single platform, cutting $3,000+ a month in subscriptions, and getting back to the work that actually grows the business.

What you'll walk away with:
- A clear map of which tools you can replace today
- A live look at how OneHermes works in a real startup workflow
- A 30-day plan to simplify your stack — no migration nightmare

Format: 20 min talk · 25 min live demo · 15 min open Q&A

Seats are limited. Bring your mess — we'll show you how to clean it up.

Hosted by OneHermes

Event Organizers

NR Karthikeyan

Monday August 17, 2026 8:00am - 8:45am CDT
TBA

Category Bio / Health, Family, Tech / Software, General
Interaction Type Conference, Workshop

8:00am CDT

Badger Startup Summit

Monday August 17, 2026 8:00am - 3:00pm CDT

Engineering Centers Building @ Engineering Centers Bldg, 1550 Engineering Dr, Madison, WI 53706, USA

Limited Capacity seats available

The Badger Startup Summit is Wisconsin’s premier gathering for entrepreneurs, innovators, and supporters of the startup ecosystem—and the official kickoff to Forward Fest 2026.

Founded over 14 years ago, the Summit brings together founders, builders, investors, and community leaders for a full day of ideas, insights, and connection that set the tone for the entire week.

The program features a curated lineup of talks and discussions designed to be both inspiring and practical, covering topics such as:
• Lessons from experienced founders (“Chapter Zero”)
• The future of AI and agent-driven technology
• Real-world startup journeys—from bootstrapped to venture-backed
• What it actually takes to raise capital in today’s market
This year, the Summit will feature interactive programming designed to engage attendees more directly, including opportunities for founders to share ideas, get feedback, and connect with peers and experienced operators in a more open, collaborative format.
The Summit also includes a VenFair and networking lunch, connecting attendees with valuable resources, partners, and fellow entrepreneurs.
Whether you’re launching your first idea, scaling a company, or supporting the innovation ecosystem, the Badger Startup Summit is where Wisconsin’s startup community comes together to kick off Forward Fest.

Hosted by100state

Event Organizers

Daniel G. Guerra Jr.

Executive Director, 100State, Inc.

Daniel G. Guerra Jr. is an entrepreneur, community builder, and healthcare innovation advocate dedicated to strengthening Wisconsin’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

As Executive Director of 100State, Daniel leads one of Wisconsin’s premier communities for entrepreneurs, innovato... Read More →

Monday August 17, 2026 8:00am - 3:00pm CDT
Engineering Centers Building

Category Bio / Health, Tech / Software, General
Interaction Type Conference, Workshop

9:00am CDT

Forward Fest Welcome Coffee

Monday August 17, 2026 9:00am - 11:00am CDT

StartingBlock Madison @ 821 E Washington Ave 2nd floor, Madison, WI 53703, USA

Join us for coffee and networking hosted by StartingBlock Madison to kick off the 2025 Forward Festival! Come at any time to say hello to fellow Festival-goers.

*Note: if you purchased a Forward Pass with Swag, your items will be available for pick up during this time. Attendance is not necessary, pick up is available all week.

Event Organizers

Scott Mosley

Monday August 17, 2026 9:00am - 11:00am CDT
StartingBlock Madison 821 E Washington Ave 2nd floor, Madison, WI 53703, USA

Free, In Person

11:00am CDT

SalesLab: A tech sales workshop

Monday August 17, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT

StartingBlock Madison @ 821 E Washington Ave 2nd floor, Madison, WI 53703, USA

Limited Capacity seats available

After several months and tens of pitches, your MVP is done and ready for prime time. Entering the commercial stage of your business requires another adaptation: you need to ditch the pitch and learn to guide a conversation with your ICP. It's not about you anymore, now it's about them. Who needs your product? ... for what, when, and how? Start developing a sales strategy that will lead you to find the answers and activate that much needed cash flow. In this interactive workshop you will discover a few insights to translate your features into crisp business messages for your client conversations. Drop by, bring a pen, and get ready to draft your next sales call.

Event Organizers

Roberto Muñoz

Founder, Strategic Growth Group

Sales Coach and Consultant. I took what I learned in 25 years of selling telcom gear and now work with growing tech companies to build an impactful sales strategy. Goals: shorten sales cycles and build meaningful relationships with higher-ups.

Monday August 17, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT
StartingBlock Madison 821 E Washington Ave 2nd floor, Madison, WI 53703, USA

Category Tech / Software, General, Business
Interaction Type Conference, Workshop

1:00pm CDT

How We Show Up Matters

Monday August 17, 2026 1:00pm - 3:00pm CDT

Virtual @ 821 E Washington Ave 2nd floor, Madison, WI 53703, USA

Limited Capacity seats available

Technical expertise gets you in the room. How you show up determines what happens next.

In this interactive session, consultants will examine the attitudes, assumptions, and habits they bring into client and colleague relationships, and how those choices shape trust, collaboration, and results. Through meaningful dialogue with peers, you’ll uncover blind spots that may be limiting connection or effectiveness in your work.

You’ll leave with practical tools and simple mindset shifts you can apply immediately to improve communication, foster more inclusive relationships, and create better outcomes for your clients and your business. Because in today’s marketplace, how you work with people is just as critical as what you deliver.

Hosted by Yes...And LLC

This is a virtual event. For those who are logged in and have RSVP'd, the streaming link will appear on this page starting 10 minutes before the session.

Event Organizers

Kim Walters

Owner | Cultural Engagement Specialist, Yes...And LLC

Kim Walters is the Owner and Cultural Engagement Specialist of Yes...And LLC, a boutique consulting firm that helps organizations build cultures of respect and belonging through leadership development and self-awareness. She partners with leaders and teams to strengthen communication... Read More →

Monday August 17, 2026 1:00pm - 3:00pm CDT
Virtual

Free, Virtual

Category Social Good, General, Cultural Competence
Interaction Type Workshop

3:30pm CDT

End of Summer Tech & Entrepreneurship Celebration

Monday August 17, 2026 3:30pm - 5:30pm CDT

The Wisconsin Entrepreneurship Hub @ 1403 University Ave, Madison, WI 53715, USA

Limited Capacity seats available

The UW Tech Exploration Lab and the Wisconsin Entrepreneurship Hub are hosting an end-of-summer celebration bringing together students, founders, industry professionals, researchers, and alumni for an evening of connection, celebration, and a look at what's coming next.

Lewis Sheats, UW-Madison's newly appointed Vice Chancellor for Entrepreneurship, will share his vision for innovation and entrepreneurship at Wisconsin. Sandra Bradley, Executive Director of the UW Tech Exploration Lab, will offer an inside look at what the Lab has been building this summer and what's ahead for the year.

A curated group of student founders will take the stage — a highlight reel of the best Founder Talks from the Lab's summer Build Nights — presenting early-stage ventures at the intersection of applied AI, emerging technology, and real-world problems. Then the floor opens for open networking and light refreshments.

Whether you're a founder, an industry professional, a researcher, or simply someone who wants to be in the room where Wisconsin's next wave of innovation is taking shape — come celebrate what's been building.

August 17 | 3:30–5:30 PM | 1403 University Ave, Madison

Event Organizers

Sandra Bradley

Monday August 17, 2026 3:30pm - 5:30pm CDT
The Wisconsin Entrepreneurship Hub 1403 University Ave, Madison, WI 53715, USA

Category Business and Entrepreneurship, Tech / Software
Interaction Type Social

4:00pm CDT

Forward Fest Happy Hour Kickoff Party

Monday August 17, 2026 4:00pm - 7:00pm CDT

Delta Beer Lab @ 167 E Badger Rd, Fitchburg, WI 53713, USA

Limited Capacity seats available

Join us as we kickoff the 2026 Forward Festival with a free pint of the latest Forward Festive-Ale at Delta Beer Lab! A free SupraNet + John Kovalic pint glass and a pint of Festive-Ale will be provided for the first 75 attendees, hosted by SupraNet Communications!

Hosted by SupraNet Communications, Inc.

Event Organizers

Rachel Whitmore

Vice President, SupraNet Communications, Inc.

Sponsors

SupraNet Communications, Inc.

Monday August 17, 2026 4:00pm - 7:00pm CDT
Delta Beer Lab 167 E Badger Rd, Fitchburg, WI 53713, USA

Category General
Interaction Type Happy Hour, Social

7:00pm CDT

Sweat Equity Sauna Happy Hour

Monday August 17, 2026 7:00pm - 9:00pm CDT

Saunaday @ 315 S Blount St, Madison, WI 53703, USA

Limited Capacity seats available