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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.
Celebrating Black History through fashion
by
Logan Pellegrom
Black History Month is a time to commemorate black history and culture. Throughout the month, Central Michigan University promotes the rich tapestry of its diverse campus community with programming organized by and for students, faculty and staff.
A staple event of the month, now in its 23rd year, is the Organization for Black Unity Fashion Show. John Gardner, a third-year participant, believes the impact of this event is positive for minorities on campus and for Central as a whole.
“OBU happened because there’s not enough representation for Black people on campus,” Gardner said. “They decided on a fashion show so that people can see that representation and see that people of color can become designers or models.”
The show aims to spotlight a diverse group of individuals from a variety of different backgrounds. “Our models come in all different shapes, sizes and shades,” he said. “We aren’t all Black, all white or all Hispanic.”
In addition to the annual fashion show, OBU puts on a series of events to celebrate Black History Month each year. Gardner said while Black trauma is often discussed during Black History Month, the fashion show highlights a positive aspect of the Black community.
“I feel like this is a different approach incorporating some entertainment and fun, but really just celebrating our culture.”
While they are keeping the theme a secret this year, attendees can expect to see a diverse group of models and designers showing off multiple styles of clothing. OBU has worked with a variety of designers, including several from CMU, to put on an impressive event, Gardner said.
The OBU Fashion Show begins at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26, in Plachta Auditorium. Doors open at 6 p.m.
Photos from the 2022 OBU Fashion Show are available for viewing on Facebook and Instagram.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
