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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 student named 2019 Soldier of the Year

      by Sanjna Jassi
      CMU student Shayn Lindquist has been named Military Times’ 2019 Soldier of the Year.

      ​Army specialist Shayn Lindquist, a Central Michigan University student, has been named Military Times’ Soldier of the Year.

      Spc. Lindquist, a senior from Clarkston, Michigan, was actively engaged at CMU — participating in ROTC, Model United Nations and the university’s DII hockey club — and training with his U.S. Army Reserve unit when he was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2017.

      But Lindquist’s diagnosis didn’t stop him from continuing his education, serving his country or helping others.

      He volunteered with Special Days Camp, working with children with cancer. He also organized a charitable ruck event, carrying a heavy load more than 150 miles, raising thousands of dollars for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Special Days Camp.

      “While undergoing chemotherapy he continued to attend classes and drill with his Reserve unit as an enlisted member. He is continually volunteering and fundraising to help with cancer awareness and research. He is a remarkable young man who has a true warrior spirit,” said Lt. Col. Donald Pratt, who leads CMU’s ROTC program and teaches in the military science program.

      Lindquist received the Soldier of the Year award at the 18th annual Service Members of the Year awards in Washington, D.C., June 10, 2019.

      He will graduate in December with a double major in international relations and law and economics with a minor in military science and plans to pursue his military career.

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