A student standing and speaking in front of a large crowd in French Auditorium.

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

This is the first time a psychology trainee has been named resident of the year by the Southern Arizona Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Care System.

While at Central Michigan University (CMU), Simms developed his interest in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and anxiety-related problems. He studied in the CMU Trauma and Anxiety Disorders Clinic and the Pain, Stress, and Symptom Management Labs, conducting research on anxiety, trauma and the mental health needs of healthcare professionals.

The residency was a capstone experience in Dr. Simms' preparation to practice independently as a clinical psychologist. During his training, he was commended for his expertise in evidence-based treatments for mental health concerns, and flexibility in serving veterans. He was recognized for offering consultation to interdisciplinary teams treating veterans with complex mental health needs.

The opportunity to hone skills expected of a psychologist in a large healthcare system, including program evaluation, providing care and consultation for complex cases, and training other providers in best assessment and treatment practices is much appreciated. Securing licensure and transitioning to a staff position in the Southern Arizona VA residential rehabilitation treatment program for PTSD and Substance Use Disorders are next for Simms.

Simms recommends current students "explore and embrace the scientist-practitioner identity because it is a unique strength of this field." He also said to "take the time to tend to the things you value outside of work and study. It will make you a better psychologist."

Source: Colleen Craft

Media Contact: Colleen Craft