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Isabella Bank Institute for Entrepreneurship
We empower entrepreneurial thinkers—whether you’re launching a venture, building a family business, creating social impact, or driving innovation inside an organization. Turn ideas into action.
Start your entrepreneurial journey
At Central Michigan University, the Isabella Bank Institute for Entrepreneurship is more than a program—it’s where students from every major turn ideas into real impact. As Michigan’s first Department of Entrepreneurship, we’re a hub for hands-on learning, innovation, and mentorship.
Here, you’ll:
- Build an entrepreneurial mindset that sets you apart in any career path—launching ventures, shaping social missions, advancing family businesses, or driving innovation inside established companies.
- Collaborate across disciplines to create projects that matter.
- Learn from alumni, faculty, and industry leaders who’ve built their own paths.
- Gain real-world experience through workshops, hackathons, and pitch competitions.
- Compete in the New Venture Challenge, where students win up to $10,000 in cash and grants to grow their ideas.
Whether you want to start something new or transform what already exists, the Institute is your launchpad.
Take the next step!
When you’re ready to get started, stop by Grawn 164 to join the team or visit the Idea Den in Grawn 166—your space to brainstorm, build, and take the next step.
Questions?
Three times on Saturday, graduates at Central Michigan University's McGuirk Arena reached up to shift tassels from the right side of their beaming faces to the left.
It was a movement of inches after a journey of years.
More than 2,700 August and December CMU graduates were eligible for the three commencement ceremonies, where President Bob Davies shook their hands and encouraged them to lead, serve, be kind and make a positive impact.
Graduates heard from three commencement speakers, all alumni: CMU Trustee Emeritus William R. Kanine at the 9 a.m. ceremony, Centennial College President and CEO Ann Buller at 1:30, and Longhorn Vaccines and Diagnostics Chief Scientific Officer and Executive Vice President Luke T. Daum at 6 p.m.