Chamber Accepting Applications for 12th Annual Pressure Chamber Competition

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (June 10, 2025)

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

Chamber Accepting Applications for 12th Annual Pressure Chamber Competition
Greater Madison’s premier live pitch contest returns Aug. 19 during Forward Fest

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.

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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Chamber Launches “Wayfarers” Video for Talent Attraction

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Dec. 9, 2024) 

Contact: Erik Greenfield, Communications Manager, 608-443-1952 (office), 608-669-7884 (cell) 

Chamber Launches “Wayfarers” Video for Talent Attraction
Video part of project package aimed to position Greater Madison as the ultimate destination for talent and innovation 

MADISON – Today, the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce announced the launch of “Wayfarers,” a talent recruitment video that captures the essence of why Greater Madison is the place to make a career, make a life and make a difference. This project is part of a comprehensive package of initiatives designed to showcase Greater Madison as the ultimate destination for talent, innovation and opportunity. 

“This video is not just a promotional piece – it is also an invitation to discover and explore Greater Madison,” said Chamber President Zach Brandon. “It reflects the vibrant energy, opportunities and sense of belonging that define this place. This is about putting our region into the decision set for global talent, and we are thrilled about the message it delivers.” 

Developed in collaboration with project partners Sam Li and Sunday Paper, “Wayfarers” draws upon decades of brand research to authentically position Greater Madison as a top choice for talent recruitment. The video is available to organizations for embedding on their websites, ensuring its message reaches audiences far and wide. 

You can watch the video here: madi.sn 

In addition to the video, the Chamber is launching several complementary initiatives in partnership with Sunday Paper: 

• BeMadison.com: A dynamic portal to support talent recruitment by amplifying Madison’s unique place-based positioning. 

• The Madison Pitch: An annually updated presentation toolkit that empowers organizations with the winning playbook for promoting Greater Madison. 

• MakeMadison.com: A multicultural recruitment website featuring diverse voices and stories making the authentic case for Greater Madison. 

• Virtual Reality Talent Recruitment Platform (Version 2.0): Offering expanded experiences, opportunities and space for organizations to engage prospective talent.

For more information about the “Wayfarers” video or to obtain the embed code, please contact Erik Greenfield at: erik@madisonbiz.com 

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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SixLine Semiconductor Wins 2024 Pressure Chamber Competition

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Aug. 20, 2024)

Contact: Erik Greenfield, Communications Manager, 608-443-1952 (office), 608-669-7884 (cell)

SixLine Semiconductor Wins 2024 Pressure Chamber Competition
Earns trip to San Francisco to pitch top Silicon Valley investment firms this fall

MADISON – Today the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce announced SixLine Semiconductor as the winner of the 11th annual Pressure Chamber live pitch competition. The winner was chosen by a combination of votes from national investor judges and the live audience at the Majestic Theatre.

SixLine Semiconductor commercializes breakthroughs in carbon nanotube processing to unlock the next generation of high-performance, cost-effective semiconductor devices. As Pressure Chamber champion, SixLine Semiconductor receives the coveted “golden suitcase,” representing a reserved spot in the Chamber’s exclusive Greater Madison startup meetings with top Silicon Valley investment firms taking place Sept. 30 to Oct. 1.

“SixLine Semiconductor exemplifies what Pressure Chamber has always been about – solving global challenges and offering a glimpse into the future of Greater Madison’s economy,” said Chamber President Zach Brandon. “This year’s Pressure Chamber finalists reflect the diverse industry strengths that exist here. We are proud to offer these companies a platform to tell their stories here and in Silicon Valley. We will continue to amplify the innovation happening in our region.”

“We are honored to be recognized as this year’s Pressure Chamber champion,” said Dr. Katy Jinkins, CEO and co-founder of SixLine Semiconductor. “We are excited to continue to grow our business in Greater Madison’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, and we look forward to connecting with top Silicon Valley investors in the Bay Area this fall.”

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; American Family Ventures; Baird Capital; HealthX Ventures; Rock River Capital Partners; AirDeck; Johnson Financial Group; JP Cullen; The Gialamas Company, Inc.; and Fetch.

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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Chamber Announces 2024 Pressure Chamber Finalists

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (July 31, 2024)

Contact: Erik Greenfield, Communications Manager, 608-443-1952 (office), 608-669-7884 (cell)

Chamber Announces 2024 Pressure Chamber Finalists
Six top emerging companies to compete Aug. 20 for opportunity to pitch Silicon Valley investment firms this fall

MADISON – Today the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce announced the six finalists competing in the 11th annual Pressure Chamber startup initiative, which returns to the Majestic Theatre on Aug. 20 during Forward Fest, Wisconsin’s largest technology and entrepreneurship festival.

At Pressure Chamber, emerging companies pitch in front of national investors and a live audience. The winning company receives the coveted “golden suitcase,” representing a reserved spot in the Chamber’s exclusive Greater Madison startup meetings with top Silicon Valley investment firms this fall.

The 2024 Pressure Chamber finalists are:

• CranioSure (Madison) – A mobile application that screens the head shapes of infants to distinguish between benign self-resolving head shape differences and craniosynostosis, helping provide guidance to healthcare providers and parents.
• Cubby (Madison) – Helps busy families with active kids stay on top of events and incoming messages, with software that leverages integrations, AI and community to make parenting easier.
• Maize (Verona) – Maps the local food system to show users where their food comes from while giving small food businesses a platform to build community around sustainable practices.
• SideShift (Madison) – Revolutionizes the part-time job search for Gen Z and the hiring process for local businesses through a universal application for students to apply to multiple jobs with one tap.
• SixLine Semiconductor (Madison) – Commercializes breakthroughs in carbon nanotube processing to unlock the next generation of high-performance, cost-effective semiconductor devices.
• Terra Bioforge (Middleton) – Pioneers next-generation genome engineering tools to discover and overproduce billion-dollar bioactive compounds and therapeutic drugs, thus improving product yield, decreasing costs, and increasing revenues for agrichemical and pharma companies.

“As we kick off Pressure Chamber’s second decade, this initiative continues to be a prime opportunity to enhance connectivity with coastal investors while amplifying the innovation happening in our regional economy,” said Chamber President Zach Brandon. “We look forward to hearing from this exciting new group of emerging companies that will help write the next chapter in Greater Madison’s story.”

Past Pressure Chamber winners have credited the initiative for helping their company close successful funding rounds. Additionally, 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, participating Pressure Chamber companies have gone on to raise more than half a billion dollars from investors.

To register for Pressure Chamber, visit madisonbiz.com/pressure-chamber.

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, American Family Ventures, Baird Capital, HealthX Ventures, Rock River Capital Partners, AirDeck, Johnson Financial Group, JP Cullen, The Gialamas Company, and Fetch.

Pressure Chamber finalists are available for interviews upon request.

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

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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Chamber Accepting Applications for 11th Annual Pressure Chamber Competition

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (June 5, 2024)

Contact: Erik Greenfield, Communications Manager, 608-443-1952 (office), 608-669-7884 (cell)

Chamber Accepting Applications for 11th Annual Pressure Chamber Competition
Region’s apex live pitch contest returns on Aug. 20 during Forward Fest

MADISON – The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce announced today it is accepting applications for this year’s Pressure Chamber startup initiative, which returns on Aug. 20 during Forward Festival, Wisconsin’s largest technology and entrepreneurship festival. The popular program includes participation and 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 Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.

Applicants for Pressure Chamber 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 to a panel of national investors and a live audience during Forward Fest. In addition to receiving the coveted “golden suitcase,” the winning company will also get a reserved spot in the Chamber’s exclusive Greater Madison startup meetings with top Silicon Valley investment firms this fall.

“Pressure Chamber offers a unique platform for early-stage companies to connect with investors and potential customers across the country,” said Chamber Vice President Kevin Little. “This initiative has proven to be an excellent predictor of what’s next in Greater Madison’s economy.”

Past Pressure Chamber winners have credited the initiative for helping their company close successful funding rounds. Additionally, 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, participating Pressure Chamber companies have gone on to raise more than half a billion dollars from investors.

Pressure Chamber is open to any industry, as long as the company meets the following requirements:

• Must be a member of the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce (startup memberships available) or support local entrepreneurial partner organizations
• Must be located in Greater Madison or plan to relocate to Greater Madison by Aug. 20, 2024
• Must have raised at least $25,000, excluding personal investment by company founders
• Application must be received by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, July 7, 2024

The full application can be accessed at: bit.ly/pressure2024

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, American Family Ventures, Baird Capital, 4490 Ventures, HealthX Ventures, Rock River Capital Partners, WVV Capital, AirDeck, Johnson Financial Group, JP Cullen, The Gialamas Company, and Fetch.

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

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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