How Forward BIOLABS Gives Wisconsin's Biotech Founders a Running Start | Jessica Martin Eckerly

In this episode, I sit down with Jessica Martin Eckerly, CEO and Co-Founder of Forward BIOLABS, to explore how Wisconsin is building infrastructure that helps biotech founders get started. Jessica shares how Forward BIOLABS began as a small experiment supporting a UW-Madison collaborator who needed lab space, and how it scaled into a nonprofit co-working lab model now supporting early-stage biotech companies in Madison and Milwaukee. Jessica reflects on her 20 plus years of experience moving academic discoveries into the marketplace and explains why biotech founders face such high barriers to entry. From expensive lab equipment, safety requirements, and regulatory testing to complex logistics, she breaks down how shared lab space and on-site support can save startups significant time and cost. She also shares how Forward BIOLABS began as a “napkin scratch” idea that required fundraising, stakeholder alignment, and quick validation through early tenant companies. We also discuss how Forward BIOLABS fits into Wisconsin’s broader innovation ecosystem, including partnerships across universities, nonprofits, and industry. Jessica highlights collaboration with organizations like WARF and WiCell, the strength of biotech talent in Madison, and why many companies choose to stay in Wisconsin as they scale rather than relocate to coastal hubs. She also shares examples like Elephas Bio, which grew from early-stage tenancy into a major personalized medicine company. Tune in to learn: Why biotech startups struggle with space, equipment, and regulatory complexity How Forward BIOLABS helps founders launch faster with shared lab infrastructure and support Why Wisconsin’s biotech ecosystem is growing through collaboration across universities, nonprofits, and industry Jump into the conversation: (00:00) Introduction (04:10) Building the 2018 pilot lab launch (06:34) Why biotech startups cost more (08:41) All in one lab simplicity advantage (11:09) Founder unlocks and early wins (12:17) When founders should join labs (15:04) Ecosystem front doors and referrals (17:10) Elephas Bio cancer startup spotlight (20:44) Why startups stay in Madison (24:13) Milwaukee pilot ICP funding program (26:38) Milwaukee ecosystem momentum tour insights (27:44) Culture safety and fit screening (31:55) What's next in 2026 expansion plans (35:18) How to get involved quickly Connect with Jessica Martin Eckerly:   / eckerlyjm   Check out Forward BIOLABS: http://www.forwardbiolabs.org 🔻 Connect With Us 🔻 Subscribe to the Startup Wisconsin Newsletter Events Pitch Contests Accelerator Programs Wisconsin Tech News → https://www.startupwi.org/ Upcoming Events (400+ every year) https://www.startupwi.org/events Follow us on LinkedIn   / startup-wisconsin   Interested in being a guest? Reach out! [email protected] Startup Wisconsin is the statewide hub for founders, investors, operators, and innovators. We're on a mission to connect and grow Wisconsin's tech and startup ecosystem. Since 2017, our mission has been to connect, educate, inspire, and grow tech and startup communities across Wisconsin. Helping people find events, resources, capital, and each other. This podcast is part of that vision, creating deeper connections and sharing the knowledge that helps Wisconsin's startup ecosystem thrive.