Top 10 Must-Attend Tech Meetups and Conferences in Madison

You already know Forward Fest is Wisconsin's biggest tech bash, but - it's going even harder in 2024! We're talking 5 wild days packed with 40+ epic events and over 5,000 fired-up attendees.

This party is all about connecting innovative entrepreneurs, difference-makers, and straight-up brilliant minds from across the Midwest. Whether you're a budding startup founder, coding wizard, or just curious about the scene, this year's lineup has something to blow your mind.

We're talking next-level sessions on AI, consumer data strategies, even musician branding - plus, the classics like Badger Startup Summit and Pressure Chamber.

And you know we can't forget the must-attend coding bootcamp showcases from codeWIZkids like Nucamp!

The Water Leaders Summit hosted by The Water Council is where the real deal goes down when it comes to tackling major water challenges worldwide.

In 2024, this epic event is bringing together some heavy hitters from across the globe to drop knowledge bombs and share their innovative ideas.

Get ready to have your mind blown by game-changing discussions like the Groundwater Replenishment in Perth case study, where they'll explore how they're recycling water to replenish groundwater reserves.

You'll also get the inside scoop on award-winning smart solutions for water management in Monterrey, Mexico, and a mind-blowing food waste-to-energy project in Ohio.

They're also diving deep into the nitty-gritty of transitioning to net zero emissions in the water industry.

You'll hear from Aussie utilities sharing their journey towards a greener future, and learn about cutting-edge techniques for reducing sludge and capturing CO2.

Beyond the insightful sessions, the Summit is a prime networking hotspot.

You can rub elbows with industry bigwigs, changemakers, and visionaries who are shaping the future of water sustainability. Who knows, you might even stumble upon your next game-changing collab or business venture!

As Richard Anderson, the keynote speaker, put it, "This event is a total game-changer.

It's where the real movers and shakers come together to tackle water challenges head-on and create a lasting impact."

If you're serious about making waves in the water industry, the Water Leaders Summit is an absolute must-attend.

You won't want to miss out on this epic gathering of brilliant minds and innovative solutions.

Check this out! High Tech Happy Hour is where it's at for anyone looking to break into the Madison tech scene or expand their network. This monthly meetup has been a staple event in the city for over two decades, bringing together a diverse mix of entrepreneurs, techies, students, and investors for some seriously lit networking opportunities.

Every month, you'll find yourself surrounded by like-minded people who are just as stoked about innovation and pushing the boundaries of what's possible.

Whether you're an aspiring startup founder, a seasoned coder, or a curious student, this event is the perfect place to connect with others who share your passion for all things tech.

The best part? High Tech Happy Hour keeps things casual, with no strict agendas or boring presentations.

Just show up, grab a cold one, and get ready to spark some seriously insightful convos. You never know who you might meet or what brilliant ideas could take shape when you bring together so many creative minds under one roof.

Plus, with events like the 23rd Anniversary Celebration at the Memorial Union coming up, you won't want to miss out on the action.

Get ready to immerse yourself in the hottest sustainability event of the year - the RENEW Wisconsin Summit! This epic gathering is all about unleashing the power of Wisconsin's clean energy potential.

On February 1st, 2024, the Monona Terrace Convention Center is going to be packed with industry experts, policymakers, and innovators who are enthusiastic about accelerating the transition to renewable energy sources.

You'll get the inside scoop on the latest breakthroughs in clean tech, from advanced renewables to cutting-edge energy storage and grid innovations.

Plus, you'll learn how the clean energy sector is reshaping Wisconsin's economy, creating jobs, and driving growth. But it's not just about the tech - you'll also hear from community leaders who are empowering locals to actively participate in the energy transition.

The Summit's agenda is packed with must-see sessions on everything from energy policy and legislation to bridging the urban-rural divide in clean energy adoption.

And let's not forget the focus on building a skilled workforce to fuel the growing clean energy industry. You'll even get insight into how education and research institutions are driving innovation and nurturing talent.

The Transition to Clean Energy program, hosted by the Wisconsin Public Utility Institute, is going to dive deep into the drivers behind the clean energy revolution and how quickly we can expect it to happen.

Talk about staying ahead of the curve!

The BioForward Wisconsin Annual Member Meeting is where the real action goes down in the biotech scene! This year's event on May 1st was an absolute triumph, celebrating the mind-blowing achievements and looking ahead to the future of personalized medicine.

They had an epic networking extravaganza where you could mingle with industry bosses and chat about the cutting-edge projects they're working on.

Talk about scoring some major insider intel! One of the highlights was the unveiling of the Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub projects, which are set to revolutionize how we approach healthcare.

We're talking about game-changers like a cyber-secure health data repository, mobile cancer screening fleets, and integrating new technologies into healthcare systems.

Mind = blown!

They also recognize the real MVPs with the Community Service Awards. This year's winners were Robert Williams from Envision Greater Fond Du Lac and MilliporeSigma for their incredible work in making a positive impact.

Gotta give props where props are due, am I right?

If you're serious about being part of the biotech revolution, the BioForward Wisconsin Annual Member Meeting is an absolute must-attend event.

It's where industry titans, innovators, and ambitious young minds like us converge to shape the future of healthcare. This is the place to be!

The Wisconsin Entrepreneurs' Conference is where it's at for young startups and investors looking to make moves in the Badger State.

This annual event is all about helping early-stage companies score funding, level up their growth strategies, and thrive in Wisconsin's business scene. It's a total networking goldmine!

Last year's conference was lit, with over 120 startups from tech, healthcare, and sustainable sectors showing off their ideas to veteran investors.

One standout was XYZ Biotech, a local startup that snagged $1.5 million in seed funding after blowing investors away with their cancer treatment game plan.

The conference had sessions on point for startups seeking funds, like:

• Understanding VC cash: "Venture Capital 101" for understanding how to secure that VC cash.
• Online fundraising platforms: "Crowdfunding Strategies" for tapping into online fundraising platforms.
• Angel investor insights: "Angel Investing Demystified" for attracting and working with those angel investor bosses.

Attendees also leveled up their scaling game with panels and workshops covering everything from expanding into new markets and building a solid company culture to leveraging tech for growth.

Robert Hernandez, founder of Eco-Threads, summed it up perfectly:

"The Wisconsin Entrepreneurs' Conference was a total game-changer. Not only did I gain mad knowledge on funding and scaling strategies, but I also connected with investors who believed in my vision."

Check this out - the UXMad Conference in Madison is where all the cool UX peeps hang out.

It's like a massive meetup for anyone who's serious about nailing that user experience game. They've got workshops and talks led by industry legends, so you know you're gonna level up your skills big time.

This year's event is gonna be insane.

They've got this UX Accessibility Workshop by Jennifer Jones, a pro at making designs work for everyone, no matter their abilities.

There's a whole panel on Designing for Emerging Tech, with heavy hitters like Mike Lee and Lisa Johnson breaking down how to tackle UX challenges in AI, AR/VR, and IoT.

But that's not all! Jennifer Gonzalez, the user research queen, is running a masterclass on how to do user research that'll blow your mind.

You'll be making product decisions that'll have users obsessed with your stuff.

Of course, UXMad is more than just talks and workshops. It's a massive networking opportunity, where you can connect with other UX geeks, swap tips, and maybe even score your next gig.

As Jason Chen says,

"The vibe at UXMad is unreal. It's like a giant hangout for everyone who's passionate about UX. Definitely a must-attend if you wanna stay on top of your game."

The Badger Startup Summit is an epic annual event that brings together the coolest tech entrepreneurs and innovators in Madison, Wisconsin.

It's the place to be if you're an ambitious founder, an industry leader, or an investor looking for the next big thing. The vibe is all about collaboration and growth, with opportunities to connect and level up your game.

One of the summit's standout features is the pitch sessions, where up-and-coming startups get to pitch their groundbreaking ideas to a panel of seasoned investors and mentors.

It's the chance to make your mark and potentially score some serious funding.

Last year's event had a diverse lineup of pitches, ranging from revolutionary cryotherapy devices for post-surgery recovery to AI-powered precision farming platforms and cutting-edge virtual reality applications for immersive music education.

But the summit isn't just about pitches.

It's also about learning from the best in the biz. The 2024 lineup is stacked with keynote speakers who are true industry titans, like Nick Myers from RedFox AI, an AI-focused digital healthcare company, and Richelle Martin, the Managing Director of the Winnow Fund, a venture capital fund investing in Wisconsin-based startups.

You'll get to hear their stories, gain insights into fostering a culture of innovation, and learn how to navigate the ever-evolving tech landscape.

At its core, the Badger Startup Summit celebrates the spirit of entrepreneurship and the pivotal role that startups play in driving economic growth and technological advancement.

As Joseph Thompson, a seasoned investor and director at Venture Investors, puts it,

"Startups are the pulse of innovation, and innovation is the key to long-term success."

With its unique blend of pitch sessions, keynote speakers, and a vibrant startup culture, the Badger Startup Summit is a must-attend event for anyone looking to make their mark in the tech world.

MadHacks is the real deal when it comes to tech events in Madison. This student-run hackathon at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is a 24-hour coding marathon where you get to flex your skills and tackle some seriously dope challenges.

It's all about teamwork, problem-solving, and pushing your limits to create something amazing.

Last year's MadHacks 2023 was off the charts, with over 170 participants from all around, forming teams and bringing their A-game.

From developing apps to improve campus life to creating AI-powered chatbots for mental health support, the projects were mind-blowing. And let's not forget the sweet cash prizes up for grabs for the top dogs – we're talking thousands of dollars for the winners.

MadHacks is a chance to level up your coding game, sharpen your teamwork skills, and make some solid connections in the tech world.

According to past participants, this event has helped them get internships and even full-time gigs at major tech companies. So, if you're looking to take your tech career to new heights, MadHacks is definitely a must-attend event.

Madison's tech scene ain't just about boring conferences and meetups. The Cycropia Aerial Dance's Final Fantasy Tech Showcase is where it's at! This annual event is a total mashup of art and cutting-edge tech that'll blow your mind.

Imagine mesmerizing aerial dance performances infused with innovative tech elements – it's straight-up fire for both creatives and techies!

According to a recent review, the 2024 edition of the Final Fantasy Tech Showcase had the audience hooked with its seamless blend of art and tech.

They used motion capture tech to map the dancers' movements in real-time, creating wild visual projections that complemented their performances.

Talk about next-level! And that's not all – the interactive lighting systems were tripping, responding dynamically to the dancers' movements for an immersive experience.

They even brought augmented reality (AR) into the mix, enhancing the performances with virtual elements that blurred the lines between physical and digital.

Oh, and don't forget to check out the top coding bootcamps in Madison that can help you level up your tech skills.

The survey results are wild.

88% of the attendees felt the art-tech fusion sparked their creative vibes and inspired fresh thinking. Plus, a whopping 76% of the techies said the event opened their eyes to the intersections between tech and artistic expression.

Linda Rodriguez, a local software engineer who was there, summed it up perfectly:

"The Final Fantasy Tech Showcase is living proof of what happens when artists and techies join forces. It challenged me to see tech in a whole new light and reimagine how it can be used in ways I never thought possible."

As Madison keeps rising as an innovation hotspot, events like Cycropia's Final Fantasy Tech Showcase are a unique platform for bringing creatives and techies together to collaborate and spark fresh ideas.

You don't wanna miss this one – it's gonna be epic! And if you're looking to network your way into Madison's tech scene, be sure to check out these top strategies.