BioForward
BioForward is a Madison, Wisconsin-based non-profit trade association founded in 1987 that serves as the unified voice of the state's biohealth industry, representing global enterprises, startups, and research institutions through tiered membership, advocacy, and the federally designated Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1987
- HeadquartersMadison, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What BioForward does
BioForward is a member-driven, non-profit state trade association founded in 1987 and headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, that operates as the unified voice of Wisconsin's biohealth industry. It serves a broad membership spanning global biohealth enterprises (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Eli Lilly, GE HealthCare, Illumina, Labcorp, Promega, MilliporeSigma, Catalent, Aldevron, Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals), mid-market firms, research institutions, and early-stage startups. Core offerings include tiered Medallion membership (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum), the BioSavings collective-purchasing program, the BioForward Capability Cloud member resource platform, advocacy and government affairs representation, talent programs (Career Center, Women in Biohealth, AI Working Group, Environmental Health and Safety Group), and signature events such as the Annual Member Meeting and Wisconsin Biohealth Summit.
The organization's underlying technology footprint is modest: it is not a product or platform company but rather a digital wrapper around the association's activities, anchored by the Capability Cloud at bioforwardcapabilitycloud.com and a member directory. Its business model is primarily subscription-recurring via annual membership dues, supplemented by event sponsorships and registration fees, plus restricted government grants and Tech Hub programmatic funding.
Strategically, BioForward's most consequential asset is its role as the lead consortium member of the federally designated Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub, which secured $49 million in U.S. Economic Development Administration funding (with $7.5M state matching support). The Tech Hub encompasses workforce development, startup commercialization via Forward BIOLABS and the Innovation to Commercialization Pipeline (ICP), and oncology innovation with GE HealthCare. The organization is currently navigating a leadership transition with CEO Lisa Johnson's planned retirement announced in April 2026.
BioForward firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- BioForward
- Legal name
- BioForward Wisconsin
- Website
- https://bioforward.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1987
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- BioForward is a Madison, Wisconsin-based non-profit trade association founded in 1987 that serves as the unified voice of the state's biohealth industry, representing global enterprises, startups, and research institutions through tiered membership, advocacy, and the federally designated Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where BioForward is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Madison
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
BioForward business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Membership Dues and Fees: BioForward operates primarily on membership revenue. Companies, research institutions, and service providers join BioForward and pay membership fees to access networking, advocacy, the BioSavings program, and other member benefits. Membership tiers are described as Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum Medallion levels.
- Event Sponsorships and Registration Fees: Revenue generated from sponsoring and attending events including the Annual Member Meeting, Wisconsin Biohealth Summit, and other networking events. The organization hosts events that attract biohealth industry participants who pay registration and/or sponsorship fees.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Tiered membership levels (Medallion tiers: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum) |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
BioForward product offering
Product offeringCore offering
BioForward Wisconsin is a member-driven state trade association that serves as the unified voice of Wisconsin's biohealth industry. It offers tiered Medallion membership, advocacy and government affairs representation, networking events (including the Wisconsin Biohealth Summit and Annual Member Meeting), the BioSavings collective purchasing program, the Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub initiative, a member directory/capability platform, and professional development programs (Women in Biohealth, AI Working Group, Environmental Health & Safety Group).
Product overview
BioForward is a membership-based industry association (not a technology product company) that serves as the unified voice of Wisconsin's biohealth industry. The organization operates as a platform of interconnected programs and services including: Membership (providing access to networking, advocacy, and industry resources), the BioSavings Program (collective purchasing discounts), the Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub (regional innovation initiative), the Capability Cloud (member resource platform), Career Center (talent attraction), Advocacy (legislative activities), Events (summits and networking), and specialized Programs (Women in Biohealth, AI Working Group, Environmental Health and Safety Group, Awards). These offerings work together to unite the ecosystem, elevate members, advocate for industry interests, and promote Wisconsin as a global destination for biohealth investment and growth.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub: A nationally designated regional innovation hub by the U.S. Economic Development Administration, focused on strengthening biohealth innovation, talent pipelines and data-driven solutions across Wisconsin
- Innovation to Commercialization Pipeline (ICP) Program
- BioSavings Program
- Women in Biohealth
Products and services
- BioForward Membership (Medallion Tiers: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum)
- BioSavings Program
- Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub
- BioForward Capability Cloud
- Wisconsin Biohealth Career Center
- BioForward Advocacy and Government Affairs
- BioForward Industry Events (Wisconsin Biohealth Summit, Annual Member Meeting, Networking Events)
- Innovation to Commercialization Pipeline (ICP) Program
Quantifiable outcome
- $37.7 billion contribution to Wisconsin's economy (2024 Economic Impact Report)
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use BioForward
Customer profileNamed customers25 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
BioForward technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
BioForward partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- EnsoData and TakedaminorEnsoData (a BioForward member) announced a collaboration with Takeda to jointly develop and validate AI-based polysomnography algorithms to support diagnosis of narcolepsy type 1, integrated into EnsoData's EnsoSleep AI platform.
- Medpace and VoximetryminorMedpace, a global full-service core laboratory, and Voximetry, a leader in radiopharmaceutical dosimetry software, announced a strategic partnership. Medpace designated Voximetry as a preferred provider of dosimetry services for radiopharmaceutical clinical trials. Both are member organizations of BioForward Wisconsin.
- UW-Milwaukee Innovation AcceleratorminorForward BIOLABS, in partnership with BioForward Wisconsin, is opening a co-working office at the UW-Milwaukee Innovation Accelerator in Wauwatosa to support Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub activities and expand the startup network in the Milwaukee area.
- Forward BIOLABScoreForward BIOLABS is co-leading the Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub initiative alongside BioForward Wisconsin. Together they operate the Innovation to Commercialization Pipeline (ICP) program, providing financial support to early-stage startups to overcome commercialization risks. Forward BIOLABS is expanding its facility in Madison (MG&E Innovation Center at University Research Park) and launching a presence in Milwaukee at the UWM Innovation Accelerator in Wauwatosa. The 18 awardees of the ICP program span biomanufacturing, medical devices, and pharmaceuticals, including Immuto Scientific, Phoenix-Aid, and Stem Pharm.
- GE HealthCarecoreGE HealthCare is a consortium partner in the Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub, leading the oncology innovation project in Waukesha. The company is also expanding its Milwaukee-area plant and collaborating with Mayo Clinic on the GEMINI-RT research initiative in radiation therapy and advanced cancer care.
- Madison CollegecoreMadison College is a consortium partner in the Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub, contributing to workforce development initiatives in Madison and Milwaukee alongside industry partners and BioForward.
- Universities of WisconsincoreUniversities of Wisconsin is a consortium partner in the Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub, collaborating on workforce development and talent pipeline initiatives across the state.
- Catalent Pharma SolutionscoreCatalent received an estimated $45 million investment to expand its Madison production facility, creating approximately 200 new highly skilled biohealth jobs. The expansion was supported by up to $2 million in performance-based business development tax credits from WEDC. Catalent is a member of the Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub consortium.
- Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub (Consortium)coreThe Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub is a nationally designated regional innovation hub by the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), co-led by BioForward Wisconsin and Forward BIOLABS. Consortium partners include GE HealthCare, Madison College, and Universities of Wisconsin. The Tech Hub received $49 million in federal EDA funding and $7.5 million in state matching support. Key initiatives include workforce development in Madison and Milwaukee, startup ecosystem support via Forward BIOLABS and the Innovation to Commercialization Pipeline (ICP) program, and oncology innovation in Waukesha through GE HealthCare.
Scale indicators12 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
BioForward competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
BioForward social profiles
Digital presenceBioForward financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
BioForward leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
BioForward funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
BioForward M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about BioForward
What does BioForward do?
BioForward Wisconsin is a member-driven state trade association that serves as the unified voice of Wisconsin's biohealth industry. It offers tiered Medallion membership, advocacy and government affairs representation, networking events (including the Wisconsin Biohealth Summit and Annual Member Meeting), the BioSavings collective purchasing program, the Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub initiative, a member directory/capability platform, and professional development programs (Women in Biohealth, AI Working Group, Environmental Health & Safety Group).
Is BioForward a public or private company?
BioForward is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was BioForward founded?
BioForward was founded in 1987. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is BioForward based?
BioForward is headquartered in Madison, United States, in the North America region.
How does BioForward make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Membership Dues and Fees are the primary driver. The others are event Sponsorships and Registration Fees.
Does BioForward have an API?
No public API is recorded for BioForward.