Wisconsin’s largest technology and entrepreneurship festival

5 DAYS / 40+ EVENTS / 5,000+ ATTENDEES

What is Forward Fest?

The Forward Festival is Wisconsin’s largest technology and entrepreneurship festival, attracting more than 5,000 attendees and serving as host for more than 40 events over 5 days every August.

Now in its 13th year, it’s the state’s flagship celebration of innovation and entrepreneurship for business folks, nerds, social impact innovaters, foodies, hackers, entrepreneurs, creatives, problem-solvers, community supporters and more from across the Midwest.

Whether you’re already plugged into the Midwest scene or you’ve been waiting for the right opportunity to sample what the area has to offer, Forward Fest is about bringing the technology and startup communities together to learn, share, and have some fun. The Forward Festival provides the rare opportunity to interact with professionals across a wide range of disciplines and at a variety of events, and is open to everyone.

Who should attend Forward Fest?

While Forward Fest was originally by and for entrepreneurs, we actively embrace a wide, inclusive definition of the word. Everyone in the community is welcome: do you work at a startup or nonprofit? Want to know more about running a business? Are you maybe interested in switching to a career in tech? Do you just think entrepreneurship is neat? Join us!

• • STUDENTS
  • ENTREPRENEURS
  • SMALL BUSINESSES
  • TECH FOLKS
  • DIFFERENCE-MAKERS
  • AND YOU!

Mission
Forward Fest is a 5-day festival in Madison, for entrepreneurs by entrepreneurs with locally organized events to connect and inspire innovation featuring all aspects of entrepreneurship.

Vision
The Festival promotes Madison as a leading region in entrepreneurial success through supporting the growth of the entrepreneurs by connecting them with organizations, individuals, and the greater community.

Our Core Values

• Entrepreneurs: Showcase and support local entrepreneurs and those seeking to create businesses.
• Opportunities: Create opportunities for Entrepreneurs to meet, collaborate, develop rich connections, and have fun together.
• Growth: Achieve a culture of growth through a number of events targeting diverse entrepreneurs, harnessing and promoting the creative and innovative ideas, and maximizing the avenues in which we expand our entrepreneurial ecosystem.
• Inclusion: Forward Festival welcomes entrepreneurs of every identity and demographic to all levels of participation. This includes design, planning, facilitation, and participation.

August 15-19, 2022

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