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 Online partners with University of Michigan Health Regional Network to offer tuition discount

by Jaime Griffis

CMU Online is proud to announce a new partnership with University of Michigan Health Regional Network, providing a 15% tuition discount for employees, their spouses, and dependents under age 24. This opportunity is available to more than 11,000 employees across UM Health-West and UM Health-Sparrow.

Flexible online learning for busy professionals

CMU Online offers career-focused degree programs designed to fit the demanding schedules of healthcare professionals. With fully online courses and dedicated student support, learners can balance work, family, and education while advancing their careers.

"This partnership reflects CMU Online’s commitment to making education more accessible for working professionals,” said Rob VanDorin, Executive Director for Business and Community Outreach. “We are excited to support University of Michigan Health Regional Network team members and their families as they take the next step in their education and career growth.”

How to apply

Eligible individuals must submit an application and provide documentation verifying their employment or dependent status. Additional details on program options, prior learning credit, and frequently asked questions are available at Online.cmich.edu/UMHealthRegionalNetwork.

Once admitted and enrolled

Students will gain access to CMU’s high-quality, flexible programs designed to help them achieve their academic and career goals. In addition to flexible course options, CMU Online provides a range of support services, including academic advising, career resources, tutoring, and access to a dedicated online student services team who helps students navigate their educational journey.