Start up
Build up your venture idea.
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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.
Electro-acoustic works and a world premiere on tour
by
Matheus Souza
School of Music trombone faculty, Dr. Cole Bartels, and his innovative ensemble, Beltline Bones, are gearing up for an exciting month with their album release titled 'Audiogenica'. Scheduled to hit the shelves and digital platforms worldwide on Friday, March 15th, the album promises a captivating blend of electro-acoustic compositions that push the boundaries of contemporary music.
Available for pre-order now on Bandcamp at https://beltlinebones.bandcamp.com/album
/audiogenica, 'Audiogenica' features a dynamic collection of eight works by composers Dr. Jay C. Batzner,
Alex Ring Gray, Eve Beglarian, and Isaac Mayhew, alongside two compositions crafted by Dr. Bartels himself.
At the heart of Beltline Bones' mission lies a dedication to commissioning new works, a commitment vividly
showcased in the diverse tapestry of pieces presented on this album.
In tandem with the album release, Beltline Bones is embarking on a thrilling tour commencing the week of March 18th. Audiences can expect an immersive experience as the ensemble performs at Ball State University, Central Michigan University, Eastern Michigan University, and the American Trombone Workshop. Showcasing a continuous 50-minute program, the ensemble promises to captivate listeners with not only tracks from the album but also additional works from composers such as Pauline Oliveros and Eve Beglarian. Furthermore, the tour will mark the world premiere of "Technological Eclipse" by Central Michigan University student composer Alec Love.
Beltline Bones are set to make a significant impact in the contemporary music scene with the release of 'Audiogenica' and their upcoming tour. Through their dedication to pushing musical boundaries and showcasing inventive electro-acoustic compositions, the ensemble promises an engaging and memorable experience for audiences worldwide.
Signature Programs
Isabella Bank Institute for Entrepreneurship
Explore special opportunities to learn new skills and travel the world.
Compete & Win
New Venture Challenge 2025
Present your venture and win BIG at the New Venture Challenge.
Build your skills
Workshops and events
Boost your entrepreneurial skills through our workshops, mentor meetups and pitch competitions.
Develop your ideas
IDEA Den
Learn about the entrepreneurship makerspace on campus in Grawn Hall.
Ready, Set, Pitch!
Make-A-Pitch 2024
Present a 2-minute pitch at the Make-A-Pitch Competition and you could win prizes and bragging rights!
Meet Mentors
Mentorship and support
Connect with mentors and faculty who are here to support the next generation of CMU entrepreneurs.
Support students
Make an impact
Are you a CMU alum looking to support CMU student entrepreneurs? Learn how you can support or donate to the Entrepreneurship Institute.
View our programming newsletter
Alumni give back to students through mentorship, real-world experiences
The Wakeling Gendron Entrepreneurial Scholars program wrapped its first cohort this academic year.
Students compete to win cash prizes at the New Venture Challenge
Pitched 40 ventures at NMV Challenge, Friday, April 19, CMU. Judges awarded $100,000 in cash prizes.
Wakeling Gendron Scholars make a life-changing trip to Texas
Wakeling and Gendron Scholars attended SXSW in Texas, meeting industry leaders and gaining entrepreneurial insights.
Business barriers lead CMU students to a new venture
Justin Ashman and Philip Mundt won Central Michigan University's New Venture Competition with their 3-D printing operation, Form Further.
