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Build up your venture idea.
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Isabella Bank Institute for Entrepreneurship
We are a dedicated institute for student entrepreneurs across campus and beyond. We aim to maximize your success by fostering your entrepreneurial mindset, promote inter-disciplinary collaboration and provide support for the creation and development of your new ventures. Jumpstart your ideas and get involved today!
Tune in for excitement!
Passion. Potential. Pitches. Don't miss any of the 2025 New Venture Challenge excitement.
Tune in Friday, April 11 at 1 p.m. for great ideas and fierce competition. Then, join the judges, mentors, spectators and teams as they see who is going home with thousands of dollars in venture financing. The awards broadcast begins at 6:30 p.m. and one team will walk away as the overall best venture.
Start your entrepreneurial journey
Central Michigan University’s College of Business Administration is the home of the Isabella Bank Institute for Entrepreneurship and the first Department of Entrepreneurship in the state of Michigan. We are a student-centric hub where experiential, curricular, and external entrepreneurial opportunities intersect.
Our mission is to maximize student success by fostering a campus-wide entrepreneurial mindset that promotes inter-disciplinary collaboration and the creation of new ventures.
We aim to create innovative programming, boost cross-campus and ecosystem collaboration and provide a comprehensive mentoring program.
Our institute provides extracurricular opportunities and is open to all undergraduate and graduate CMU students.
Student opportunities
- Meet experienced alumni, faculty, entrepreneurs, investors, and other business and political leaders.
- Learn practical skills, innovative thinking, and connect with mentors and entrepreneurial resources.
- Attend skill-building workshops and compete in pitch competitions and Hackathons.
- Take part in special scholarship programs and travel experiences.
- Pitch your venture at our signature New Venture Challenge event and compete for up to $20,000 in cash awards.
Find your path
Are you interested in becoming an entrepreneur?
Every journey is unique. Explore the opportunities that interest you.
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WCMU takes home awards
Oct 23, 2021, 15:38 by Sanjay GuptaThe Michigan Association of Broadcasters recognizes WCMU with six MAB Broadcast Excellence Awards.Full story -
When the wind blows…
Oct 23, 2021, 15:37 by Sanjay GuptaCentral Michigan University encourages the campus community to be prepared for tornadoes and severe weather events.Full story -
Martinez named to lead CMU civil rights office
Oct 23, 2021, 15:15 by Sanjay GuptaMary Martinez has been selected to lead Central Michigan University’s Office of Civil Rights and Institutional Equity, effective Aug. 30. Martinez became interim executive director in June 2019, following the departure of Katherine Lasher.Full story -
One-day drive aims for 500 CMU donors
Oct 23, 2021, 15:09 by Sanjay GuptaCMU celebrates its 125th anniversary Wednesday, and the advancement team plans to set a single-day record of receiving gifts from more than 500 donors.Full story -
Faculty member recognized for Poe studies
Oct 23, 2021, 15:08 by Sanjay GuptaThe Poe Studies Association has named CMU English Language and Literature faculty member Jeffrey Weinstock winner of the James W. Gargano Award.Full story -
Leading in many directions
Oct 23, 2021, 15:06 by Sanjay GuptaAnyone can learn to lead. CMU’s Leader Advancement Scholars program helps students tailor their own paths to leadership.Full story -
Gov. Whitmer announces appointments to CMU board
Oct 23, 2021, 15:02 by Sanjay GuptaGov. Whitmer announces appointments to Central Michigan University Board of Trustees.Full story -
Studying where climate change strikes hardest
Oct 23, 2021, 15:00 by Sanjay GuptaAnthony Wilson plans his future career on studying how climate change, severe weather and heat waves affect poor minority communities.Full story -
Schutten announces decision to step down
Oct 23, 2021, 14:47 by Sanjay GuptaMary C. Schutten, Central Michigan University’s executive vice president and provost, today announced her decision to step down from her role, effective Dec. 31.Full story -
Search begins for next dean of the College of the Arts and Media
Oct 23, 2021, 14:43 by Sanjay GuptaCentral Michigan University has appointed a search committee to assist in the national search for the next dean of the College of the Arts and Media.Full story -
A unique look into Alzheimer’s disease
Oct 23, 2021, 14:38 by Sanjay GuptaCentral Michigan University faculty member Kevin Park is conducting Alzheimer’s disease research unique to his lab.Full story -
Alumni Awards celebrate leaders, partners
Oct 23, 2021, 14:34 by Sanjay GuptaThe Central Michigan University Association has selected its National Alumni Awards recipients for 2021.Full story -
College of Medicine welcomes class of 2025
Oct 23, 2021, 14:25 by Sanjna JassiMore than 100 future physicians began their medical education during the Central Michigan University College of Medicine’s White Coat Ceremony.Full story -
President Davies named to serve on NCAA committee
Oct 23, 2021, 14:08 by Sanjna JassiCentral Michigan President Bob Davies has been appointed as a member of the NCAA Division I Committee on Academics.Full story -
New CMU health and safety plans announced for fall
Oct 23, 2021, 14:06 by Sanjna JassiCentral Michigan University announced updated COVID-19 guidelines for its main campus in Mount Pleasant ahead of the start of the Fall 2021 semester.Full story -
Boosting the science of creating new materials
Oct 23, 2021, 13:50 by Sanjna JassiTwo Central Michigan University physics professors are leading a five-university team working on creating new materials for energy solutions and more.Full story -
Cultivating a growing partnership
Oct 23, 2021, 13:48 by Sanjna JassiA new ethnobotanical garden at CMU honors Native American culture. The garden was created in partnership with the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College.Full story -
A new path to a nursing degree
Oct 23, 2021, 13:46 by Sanjna JassiA strategic partnership signed in Mount Pleasant between CMU and Mid Michigan College opens doors at Central Michigan University for future nurses.Full story -
CMU announces first winners in vaccine incentive program
Oct 23, 2021, 13:44 by Sanjna JassiCentral Michigan University announces first winners in vaccine incentive program. Johnathan Taft, a senior from Greenville, Michigan, was selected as the winner of a scholarship valued at a full year's tuition at CMU.Full story -
CMU joins White House #COVIDCollegeChallenge
Oct 23, 2021, 13:41 by Sanjna JassiCentral Michigan University joins the White House's COVID College Challenge to increase vaccination rates among college students.Full story
Signature Programs
Isabella Bank Institute for Entrepreneurship
Explore special opportunities to learn new skills and travel the world.
Compete & Win
New Venture Challenge 2025
Present your venture and win BIG at the New Venture Challenge.
Build your skills
Workshops and events
Boost your entrepreneurial skills through our workshops, mentor meetups and pitch competitions.
Develop your ideas
IDEA Den
Learn about the entrepreneurship makerspace on campus in Grawn Hall.
Ready, Set, Pitch!
Make-A-Pitch 2024
Present a 2-minute pitch at the Make-A-Pitch Competition and you could win prizes and bragging rights!
Meet Mentors
Mentorship and support
Connect with mentors and faculty who are here to support the next generation of CMU entrepreneurs.
Support students
Make an impact
Are you a CMU alum looking to support CMU student entrepreneurs? Learn how you can support or donate to the Entrepreneurship Institute.
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