FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (June 10, 2025)

Contact: Jess Miller, Communications Manager, 608-443-1952, jess@madisonbiz.com

MADISON – The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce is accepting applications for this year’s Pressure Chamber, Greater Madison’s premier live pitch contest, which will take place Aug. 19 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.

Pressure Chamber applicants go through a screening process that may include 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 where visibility turns into validation,” said Chamber Vice President Kevin Little. “For new and emerging 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 local entrepreneurial partner organization
• Be located in Greater Madison or plan to relocate to Greater Madison by Aug. 19, 2025
• Have raised at least $25,000, excluding personal investment by company founders
• Application must be received by 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, July 9, 2025

The application is largely open-ended and designed to be easy to complete. 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 Corporation, Fetch, TruStage, Associated Bank, JP Cullen, The Gialamas Company, 4490 Ventures, Baird Capital, Idea Fund, Rock River Capital Partners and FPC Live.

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

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About the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce:
The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce is the voice of business with more than 1,200 organizations – ranging from one-person shops to corporations with more than 10,000 employees – working to bring the Greater Madison area to its full potential. The Greater Madison region is a leader in innovation. From cutting-edge technologies to distinctive retail shops to inventive services and products, our members vary greatly but are united by the region’s entrepreneurial spirit. More information can be found at madisonbiz.com.