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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 wins $5,000 at Downtown Pitch event

      by Jessica Meyers

      CMU student wins the first Downtown Mt. Pleasant Pitch Competition on November 9, 2022 hosted by the Middle Michigan Development Corporation. The Downtown Pitch is an effort to bring innovative ideas to life to increase the vibrancy of downtown Mt. Pleasant.

      Erin Markovicz, a junior studying Business Management and Economics, won the Community Vibrancy Award at the Downtown Pitch Competition for her festival pitch. The prospective festival will bring various community partners to downtown Mt. Pleasant to enjoy live music, assorted artwork from the area and the opportunity to explore downtown.

      John Gustincic, entrepreneurship faculty member and mentor for the Isabella Bank Institute for Entrepreneurship, said “The entire CMU community should be proud of Erin Markovicz accomplishment in winning the Community Vibrancy Award. The award aligns perfectly with Erin’s vibrant personality and her commitment to making the Mt. Pleasant community better for all.” 

      In 2021, Markovicz won the Middle Michigan Development Corporation grant at CMU’s New Venture Challenge for her venture WoMa Bazaar, a pop-up community marketplace comprised of small businesses in the retail and food industry from the Mt. Pleasant area.

      “A lot of people have asked me what I’m passionate about within entrepreneurship, and my answer has always been helping people and creating impactful events for the community. Winning this award puts me one step closer to achieving my goals,” said Erin. 

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      Questions?

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