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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.
Central Michigan University is poised to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 with a month-long lineup of events organized by Multicultural Academic Student Services.
“These events create an atmosphere where Latine students can celebrate their cultures while at the same time inviting the entire university community to participate so we can share our cultures with them,” said Alejandro Gradilla, assistant director for Latinx/Hispanic American Student Engagement at CMU.
The month of events kicks off on Thursday, Sept. 15, with keynote speaker Isabel Montemayor-Vazquez, executive director of the Hispanic/Latino Commission of Michigan, speaking on the importance of higher education in the Hispanic community.
Gradilla said many of the events are put on by Latine students themselves who want to share their culture with others. Additional events include those led by registered student organizations, Greek Life, Program Board and various campus partners. View the full list of events:
- 9/15 - Keynote Speaker: Isabel Montemayor-Vazquez, Bovee UC 302 Auditorium at 6 p.m.
- 9/16 - La Gente Welcome Back Carne Asada, Wesley Church at 6 p.m.
- 9/19 - Our History: Raggaeton Music, Center for Student Inclusion and Diversity, Bovee UC 108 at 6 p.m.
- 9/20 - Film: Under the Same Moon, Bovee UC Auditorium 302 at 6 p.m.
- 9/22 - Zumba, MAC Gym in the Student Activity Center at 6 p.m.
- 9/23 - Arroz Around the World, Wesley Church at 3 p.m.
- 9/24 - Low-Rider Car Show, Location to be determined from Noon-3 p.m.
- 9/27 - Game Night: Loteria (Mexican Bingo), Center for Student Inclusion and Diversity, Bovee UC 108 at 6 p.m.
- 9/28 - Guest Speaker: Gabriel Ramirez, Opperman Auditorium in Park Library at 6:30 p.m.
- 10/3 - Make Homemade Tortillas, Student Activity Center 204 at 6 p.m.
- 10/6 - Activity: Papel Picado (Mexican Folk Art), Center for Student Inclusion and Diversity, Bovee UC 108 at 6 p.m.
- 10/7 - Annual Career Awareness Information Session, Bovee UC Auditorium 302 at 2 p.m.
- 10/10 - Our History: Bachata Music, Center for Student Inclusion and Diversity, Bovee UC 108 at 6 p.m.
- 10/12 - Our History: Ballet Folklorico, Powers Ballroom at 6:30 p.m.
- 10/13 - Latine Social Night: Music, Dancing and Fun!, MAC Gym in the Student Activity Center at 6 p.m.
- 10/14 - La Fogata y Legendas Urbanas, Wesley Church at 6 p.m.
All events are free and open to the public. Follow along on Facebook all month long for updates and highlights.
“We want to show all students that they belong here and provide educational opportunities for the entire community,” said Gradilla.
Signature Programs
Isabella Bank Institute for Entrepreneurship
Explore special opportunities to learn new skills and travel the world.
View our programming newsletter
Alumni give back to students through mentorship, real-world experiences
The Wakeling Gendron Entrepreneurial Scholars program wrapped its first cohort this academic year.
May 14, 2024
Students compete to win cash prizes at the New Venture Challenge
Pitched 40 ventures at NMV Challenge, Friday, April 19, CMU. Judges awarded $100,000 in cash prizes.
April 22, 2024
Wakeling Gendron Scholars make a life-changing trip to Texas
Wakeling and Gendron Scholars attended SXSW in Texas, meeting industry leaders and gaining entrepreneurial insights.
March 22, 2024
Business barriers lead CMU students to a new venture
Justin Ashman and Philip Mundt won Central Michigan University's New Venture Competition with their 3-D printing operation, Form Further.
April 27, 2021
