Photo by Richard Hurd
AI Startup Strudel Wins 2025 Pressure Chamber
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (August 21, 2025)
Contact: Jess Miller, Communications Manager, 608-443-1952, jess@madisonbiz.com
AI Startup Strudel Wins 2025 Pressure Chamber
Win earns trip to San Francisco to pitch Silicon Valley investment firms this fall
MADISON – On Tuesday, the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce announced AI startup Strudel as the winner of the 12th annual Pressure Chamber pitch competition. As Pressure Chamber champion, Strudel receives the “golden suitcase,” representing a reserved spot in the Chamber’s exclusive Greater Madison startup meetings with top Silicon Valley investment firms this October.
The winner was chosen by a combination of votes from national investor judges and a live audience at The Sylvee. The other Pressure Chamber finalists were Atrility, Maxwave, redelevenlabs and Reliable Residence.
Strudel uses AI to automate complex technical support by analyzing production data and code, cutting resolution time by 65% and saving engineering teams time for product development. The Madison-based startup addresses a $264 billion problem affecting B2B SaaS companies whose engineers spend 30-50% of their time on customer support instead of building products.
“Strudel represents exactly what Pressure Chamber has always been about — showcasing cutting edge technology and innovative solutions to solve global problems,” said Chamber President Zach Brandon. “We congratulate all of this year’s finalists, who represent the full diversity of innovation that exists in Greater Madison. We are proud to offer these companies a platform to tell their stories here and in Silicon Valley.”
“It’s an honor to be recognized among so many incredible companies as this year’s Pressure Chamber champion,” said Strudel co-founder Kristin Isaac. “We’re excited to leverage this momentum to grow our business and support Greater Madison’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. We’re looking forward to connecting with more investors in the Bay Area this fall.”
Representatives from Strudel are available for an interview upon request.
Pressure Chamber is presented by the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce and Michael Best, with support from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, State of Wisconsin Investment Board, Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation and UW–Madison Office of Business Engagement, Fetch, TruStage, Associated Bank, Madison College, JP Cullen, The Gialamas Company, 4490 Ventures, Baird Capital, Idea Fund, Mastercraft Ventures, Rock River Capital Partners and FPC Live.
About The Forward Festival: The Forward Festival is a five-day technology and entrepreneur-focused festival held annually in Wisconsin with more than 40 events connecting attendees and inspiring innovation. The 2025 edition of The Forward Festival is August 18-22. Visit forwardfest.org for more information.
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.
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