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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.
CMU named Michigan Veteran Connector school
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Central Michigan University has once again been named one of the top institutions for student veterans. The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency has certified CMU as one of the first Michigan Veteran Connectors for its role in supporting military veterans.
The purpose of the Connector initiative is to improve referral capabilities within communities in an effort to provide Michigan veterans with the best possible resources.
“We are so proud to be a part of this initiative,” said Duane Kleinhardt, director of CMU’s Veterans’ Resource Center. “CMU has long been committed to helping our military-affiliated students. This certification shows that we’re doing all the right things to serve these students and their families.”
The initiative is part of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's Governor's Challenge, which looks at ways to reduce suicide in service members, veterans and their families. During the admissions process, Connector-certified institutions identify student veterans and ask, “Is there anything you would like us to know about your service?” From there, staff can refer veterans to resources ranging from employment and training services to education benefits for children and spouses to VA health care.
CMU is already certified through the MVAA’s Veteran-Friendly Schools initiative, which recognizes academic institutions committed to meeting the needs of veterans through supports such as a veteran-specific website, student veteran clubs and an on-campus veterans’ coordinator.
In 2021, CMU was recognized as the top university in Michigan for serving U.S. armed forces veterans by the independent magazine Military Times. CMU's ranking was not only the best in Michigan but also No. 2 in the Midwest and No. 8 in the country.
“CMU is honored and privileged to serve the individuals who have served and who continue to serve our nation,” said CMU President Bob Davies. “Through their military service, they have demonstrated courage, pride, grit, integrity and excellence. They exemplify CMU’s commitment to leadership and service, and they set a powerful example for others.”
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.
