
Start up
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.
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.
Are you interested in becoming an entrepreneur?
Every journey is unique. Explore the opportunities that interest you.
The College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences welcomes Josh Adams to serve as the college’s new Manager of Recruitment and Community Relations.
With a rich background in academic affairs and instruction, Adams brings a wealth of experience to his new role where he will create dynamic recruiting events and cultivate strategic alliances with community college leaders, business stakeholders, community influencers, and alumni.
“Josh brings more than a decade of experience to this position; I am thrilled he is joining us to represent CLASS on campus and in the community,” said Richard Rothaus, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences.
A 2005 CMU graduate, Adams returned in 2014 to teach in the English Language Institute. In his time at CMU, he also worked in academic advising, student recruitment and most recently as the Director of the English Language Institute. Adams is returning to CMU after a short stint at Michigan State University, where he served as an academic specialist.
"I am truly thrilled to return to Central Michigan University and have the opportunity to contribute to the vibrant community within the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences,” said Adams. “The values upheld by this institution resonate deeply with me, and I am eager to champion the transformative power of a liberal arts education.”
As Manager of Recruitment and Community Relations, Adams will maintain close relationships with all CLASS departments to ensure alignment with evolving curricular objectives and to implement changes that facilitate articulated partnerships. Additionally, he will play a pivotal role in CLASS fundraising and alumni engagement initiatives, showcasing his dedication to fostering a thriving academic community.
“Collaborating with the faculty and staff here is an honor, and I look forward to collectively nurturing an environment of intellectual curiosity and growth for our students," said Adams.
Explore special opportunities to learn new skills and travel the world.
Present your venture and win BIG at the New Venture Challenge.
Boost your entrepreneurial skills through our workshops, mentor meetups and pitch competitions.
Learn about the entrepreneurship makerspace on campus in Grawn Hall.
Present a 2-minute pitch at the Make-A-Pitch Competition and you could win prizes and bragging rights!
Connect with mentors and faculty who are here to support the next generation of CMU entrepreneurs.
Are you a CMU alum looking to support CMU student entrepreneurs? Learn how you can support or donate to the Entrepreneurship Institute.