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.

2025 NVC Competition Live Stream

2025 NVC Awards Live Stream

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.

A student standing with a faculty member holding big winning checks from the New Venture Challenge 2024.

Start up

Build up your venture idea.

Learn more

A student smiling and standing in front of his venture display at the 2024 New Venture Challenge.

Family business

Explore the Alternative Entrepreneurial Pathways category at NVC.

Learn more

A close-up of the Prusa i3 MK3 printer in the entrepreneurship makerspace, the IDEA Den in Grawn Hall 166.

Product and prototype design

Create and patent your ideas.

Learn more

Innovation

Explore your ideas and build your skills.

Learn more

CMU efforts win international recognition

Oct 4, 2021, 19:58 by Sanjna Jassi

CMU’s University Communications and Advancement offices have won international recognition in the CASE Circle of Excellence Awards.
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CMU students study world languages through national award

Oct 4, 2021, 19:55 by Sanjna Jassi

Three Central Michigan University students were awarded this year's Critical Language Scholarship, a U.S. State Department program to increase the number of Americans studying and communicating in critical foreign languages.
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A convincing victory for CMU

Oct 4, 2021, 19:54 by Sanjna Jassi

Two members of Central Michigan University's debate team shared the 2021 Pi Kappa Delta National Comprehensive Tournament championship when they met in the final elimination round of the virtual event March 21.
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Honoring outstanding teaching and service

Oct 4, 2021, 19:49 by Sanjna Jassi

Central Michigan University is honoring eight faculty members who set the leadership standard by prioritizing student success, providing rich knowledge-based experiences and nurturing strong connections inside the classroom.
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Biology student wins prestigious Goldwater Scholarship

Oct 4, 2021, 19:47 by Sanjna Jassi

Central Michigan University's Chloe Pesture's passion for learning, experimenting and sharpening her lab skills has earned her the prestigious Goldwater Scholarship.
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Political science student receives Humanity in Action Fellowship

Oct 4, 2021, 19:43 by Sanjna Jassi

Rising CMU junior Lauren Hill received a Humanity in Action Fellowship. She is one of only 22 recipients from the United States.
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President names interim associate vice president for Student Affairs

Oct 4, 2021, 19:42 by Sanjna Jassi

Central Michigan University President Bob Davies named Shaun Holtgreive interim associate vice president for Student Affairs, effective July 7.
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MAC honors Fashion Merchandising and Design faculty member

Oct 4, 2021, 19:39 by Sanjna Jassi

The Mid-American Conference named Michael Mamp, CMU Fashion Merchandising and Design faculty member, a recipient of its annual Outstanding Faculty Award for Student Success.
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CMU College of Medicine celebrates successful Match Day 2021

Oct 4, 2021, 19:34 by Sanjna Jassi

On March 19, Central Michigan University College of Medicine students joined their peers worldwide in opening emails containing the names of the residency programs in which they will spend the next three to seven years of their lives.
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Business barriers lead CMU students to a new venture

Oct 4, 2021, 19:33 by Sanjna Jassi

Justin Ashman and Philip Mundt won Central Michigan University's New Venture Competition with their 3-D printing operation, Form Further.
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President’s and Provost’s Awards recognize faculty excellence

Oct 4, 2021, 19:28 by Sanjna Jassi

CMU's President and Provost recently announced the recipients of this year's President's and Provost's Awards, recognizing faculty who are leaders on campus and also in their areas of expertise.
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Passion for study abroad leads to Fulbright award

Oct 4, 2021, 19:17 by Sanjna Jassi

CMU student Katherine Pulaski received a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant award and will soon travel to Thailand.
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Prestigious award offers chance to study Swahili in Tanzania

Oct 4, 2021, 19:14 by Sanjna Jassi

Max Ranger is the first undergraduate student at Central Michigan University to receive the competitive Boren Scholarship
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CMU historical audio drama receives acclaim

Oct 4, 2021, 19:13 by Sanjna Jassi

"School Spirits," an audio drama focused on the history of CMU, was named Best of Competition in the Broadcast Education Awards Festival of Media Arts.
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CMU challenges childhood trauma

Oct 4, 2021, 19:11 by Sanjay Gupta

Teachers educated at CMU will learn how Adverse Childhood Experiences affect their students and how they can make a difference for the better.
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Podcast series tackles trauma

Oct 4, 2021, 19:09 by Sanjay Gupta

A CMU educational podcast series is adding an arsenal of information to the battle against childhood trauma and adverse childhood experiences.
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Administrative Fellows sign-up underway

Oct 4, 2021, 19:08 by Sanjay Gupta

President Bob Davies announces the fourth year of the Administrative Fellows Program for tenured Central Michigan University faculty.
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Educational leadership faculty member celebrated

Oct 4, 2021, 19:04 by Sanjay Gupta

The American College Personnel Association Foundation has named Central Michigan University educational leadership faculty member Anne Hornak.
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CMU partners with Adobe to power digital learning

Oct 4, 2021, 19:03 by Sanjay Gupta

CMU students, faculty and staff now have free access to a set of powerful digital tools as CMU becomes an Adobe Creative Campus.
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Alum dedicates career to creating opportunities for others

Oct 4, 2021, 19:01 by Sanjay Gupta

Tiffany Jones is a leader in creating positive change in higher education. Since graduating from Central Michigan University with a degree in family studies, she's been an advocate for college affordability and increased minority student support.
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