The ninth annual Forward Festival, Wisconsin’s largest technology and entrepreneurship gathering, will take place Aug. 16-23 at various locations throughout Madison with more than 50 events.

The festival covers a range of interests such as biology and health, social good, tech and music.

“With this being the ninth Forward Festival, we are seeing how it’s become an agent for success in bringing all types of entrepreneurs together,” Festival Committee Member Laura Strong said in a statement. “Not only is this evident in the 30 new events happening this year, but also through the entrepreneurs who are creating new startups and opportunities through the connections they make while they attend the festival.”

Over the course of the week, there will be 52 events, 30 of which are new this year. Many of these events are being held at the recently opened StartingBlock Madison. Other locations include Wisconsin Brewing Company and 100state.

The festival’s flagship event, the Forward Technology Conference, takes place Aug. 21 at the Wisconsin Union. The keynote speaker, John Zeratsky, is the co-creator of Google Ventures’ “Design Sprint” business process.

Other events include the Wisconsin Ag Innovation Forum (Aug. 20), the Badger Startup Summit (Aug. 22) and Be Your Own Hero – Startup Stories from the World of Roller Derby (Aug. 23).

As in other years, the festival ends with Capital Entrepreneurs’ Forward Fest Wrap Party at Boardman & Clark.