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.

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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.

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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.

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Innovation

Explore your ideas and build your skills.

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CMU Biology Greenhouse

by Robert Wang

Nestled within the campus of Central Michigan University (CMU), the Biology greenhouse stands as a testament to the university's commitment to botanical education and biodiversity. Constructed in 1992, this 4,700 square foot facility serves as a hub for students, researchers, and plant enthusiasts alike, boasting an impressive collection of over 200 different species of plants.

Formerly housed within Brooks Hall, the greenhouse has a rich history. Once a mere fraction of its current size, the original structure now resides at the CMU Biological Station on Beaver Island.

The greenhouse is not merely a static collection; it serves as an interactive learning environment for biology students. Divided into seven distinct rooms, each mimicking different climates from around the globe, students have the opportunity to explore plant adaptations firsthand. From the lush foliage of tropical rainforests to the arid landscapes of deserts, and even the serene tranquility of aquatic ecosystems, the greenhouse offers a comprehensive glimpse into the diverse botanical world.

Moreover, the greenhouse plays a vital role in supporting CMU's academic curriculum. It serves as a resource for biology labs, providing students with hands-on experience in plant biology and cultivation. Each spring, the greenhouse springs to life as it nurtures close to a thousand plants destined for the Fabiano Botanical Garden, enhancing the greenery and beauty of the campus.

One of the greenhouse's notable attractions is its display of carnivorous plants, feasting on bugs that inhabit the space. Among other intriguing specimens stands a towering 5-foot-tall agave plant, adding to the spectacle of the greenhouse's flora.

While primarily a resource for students and researchers, the greenhouse also opens its doors to the public. From Monday to Friday, between 8 am to 5 pm, visitors are welcome to explore this botanical paradise. Whether seeking a moment of relaxation amidst nature's splendor or looking for a refreshing study break, the greenhouse offers a tranquil retreat for all who enter its verdant confines.