Applications are now being accepted for this year’s Pressure Chamber competition and Startup Showcase celebration, both of which take place Aug. 23 at the Monona Terrace as part of Forward Festival, the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce and Capital Entrepreneurs announced today.

“If you are a startup in Greater Madison looking to raise capital and attract talent and new business opportunities, you should be applying for Pressure Chamber and Startup Showcase,” Chamber Vice President Kevin Little said in a statement. “Nowhere else will you have access to this number of local, regional and global investors, as well as the visibility associated with taking the stage in front of a packed room of potential customers and employees at Forward Fest.”

According to a release, applicants must be a member of the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce or Capital Entrepreneurs, be located in Dane County or plan to locate to Dane County by Aug. 23 and have raised at least $25,000, excluding personal investment by company founders.

Like last year, the pitch events will be take place following the annual Forward Technology Conference.

Applications are due by 5 p.m. Friday, July 8.