MADISON – The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce is accepting applications for this year’s Pressure Chamber, Greater Madison’s premier live pitch event, which will take place Aug. 18 during Forward Fest, Wisconsin’s largest technology and entrepreneurship festival. This event is presented by Michael Best with support from active regional investment firms, as well as the State of Wisconsin Investment Board, Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation and UW–Madison Office of Business Engagement, and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp.

Qualifying Pressure Chamber applicants go through a screening process that includes presentations with prominent Wisconsin investors. From there, a select number of companies will be chosen to pitch their ideas to a panel of national investors and a live audience during Forward Fest. The winning company will receive the “golden suitcase,” which guarantees a reserved spot in the Chamber’s exclusive Greater Madison startup meetings with top Silicon Valley investment firms this fall.

“Pressure Chamber is an impactful platform that turns visibility into validation,” said Chamber Vice President Kevin Little. “For new and emerging regional companies seeking investor and customer traction, this is a proven way to accelerate growth and take your business to the next level.”

Past Pressure Chamber winners have credited the initiative with helping their company close successful funding rounds. And Pressure Chamber has been recognized by both the International Economic Development Council and Steve Case’s Rise of the Rest Summit as an entrepreneurship and economic development best practice. Collectively, funding raised by participating Pressure Chamber companies is approaching $1 billion.

Pressure Chamber is open to companies in any industry that meet the following requirements:

  • Be a member of the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce (startup memberships available) or support another regional entrepreneurial partner organization
  • Be located in the Madison region or plan to relocate by Aug. 18, 2026
  • Have raised at least $25,000, excluding personal investment by company founders
  • Application must be received by Wednesday, July 8, 2026

Learn more and apply here.

Pressure Chamber is presented by the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce and Michael Best, with support from the State of Wisconsin Investment Board, Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation and UW–Madison Office of Business Engagement, Wisconsin Economic Development Corp., Fetch, Associated Bank, The Gialamas Company, JP Cullen, Mastercraft Ventures, HealthX Ventures, Idea Fund, Wisconsin Investment Partners, Rock River Capital Partners and FPC Live.

For more information about Forward Fest, visit forwardfest.org.