Entrepreneurship Institute Workshops and Events

Isabella Bank Institute for Entrepreneurship events are free to all Central Michigan University students. Pre-registering is encouraged but not required.

Workshops and competitions

Learn. Grow. Innovate.

We are here to help you become a successful entrepreneur! Attend our free workshops, events, and competitions and learn how to build a business plan, gain to new skills and friends and launch your dream!

All workshops hosted by the Isabella Bank Institute for Entrepreneurship are free for all Central Michigan University students.

Whether you want to pitch a venture at the New Venture Challenge competition, or you are just beginning your journey into entrepreneurship - the Isabella Bank Institute for Entrepreneurship is here to help!

Registering for events is recommended but not required. Individual rules and guidelines apply for each competition. 


New Venture Challenge Kick-Off and Mini Competition

Wednesday, Oct. 4

5 – 7:00 p.m. | Grawn Hall Atrium

Take part in a mini competition and win a prize! Learn about NVC and what it takes to create your own venture.

VIEW EVENT PAGE

NVC 101: Intro to Developing a Winning Business Model

Monday, Oct. 9

5 – 6:00 p.m.| Grawn 166

Join us for the first skill builder of the semester, where you'll learn tips and tricks to enhance your entrepreneurial skills.

VIEW EVENT PAGE

NVC Fall Bootcamp I and Networking Night

Friday, Oct. 13 

Workshop | 1 - 4:30 p.m. | Grawn Hall Classroom 150G

Networking Night | 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. | Location TBA

The first NVC Bootcamp of the fall semester! Join us for time with NVC mentors, and later in the evening attend a networking night with other students interested in the New Venture Challenge. 

VIEW EVENT PAGE

Michigan Collegiate StartUp Challenge

Friday, Oct. 20

Team Entry Form Due | Wednesday, Sept. 27 | 12:01 a.m.|

Semi Finalist Teams Announced| Monday, Oct. 2 |

Michigan Collegiate StartUp Challenge | Friday, Oct. 20 | 2 - 7:30 p.m.

The 2023 Michigan Collegiate Startup Challenge Team Entry Form will open Tuesday, August 1, 2023, at 12:01 p.m. and close Wednesday, September 27, 2023 at 12:01 a.m. Teams who will move on to the Michigan Collegiate Startup Challenge event taking place Friday, October 20 at Central Michigan University will be notified by email end of day Monday, October 2. Submissions are open to all colleges and universities, private and public, within the state of Michigan.

TEAM ENTRY FORM

NVC 102: A Deeper Dive into Social Impact

Tuesday, Oct. 24

Grawn Hall 166 | 5 - 6:00 p.m.

Interested in a business that prioritizes the social good? Do you want to launch your own nonprofit? This one-hour workshop is for you.

VIEW EVENT PAGE

NVC 103: Digital Impact and AI

Thursday, Nov. 2

Grawn Hall 166 | 5 - 6:00 p.m.

Learn how to utilize digital creation to boost your business.

VIEW EVENT PAGE

NVC 104: Developing the Business Side of your New Venture

Tuesday, Nov. 7

Grawn Hall Classroom 150G | 5 - 6:00 p.m.

Get ready for a evening of learning and fun where we'll dive into exciting entrepreneurial topics and boost our skills together.

VIEW EVENT PAGE

NVC Fall Bootcamp II & Networking Night

Friday, Nov. 10

Workshop | Grawn Hall Classroom 150G | 1 - 4:30 p.m.

Networking Night | Location TBA | 5:30 -  7:30 p.m.

Join us for the second and final NVC Bootcamp of the fall semester!

VIEW EVENT PAGE

Global Entrepreneurship Week: Nov. 13 - 19


Experiences of Women Entrepreneurs: Panel and Discussion

Monday, Nov. 13

Workshop | Grawn Hall Classroom 150G | 1 - 4:30 p.m.

Networking Night | Location TBA | 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Join us for the second and final NVC Bootcamp of the fall semester!

VIEW EVENT PAGE

NVC 105: Intro to Developing a Winning Pitch

Wednesday, Nov. 29

Workshop | Grawn Hall 166 | 5 - 6:00 p.m.

Work on your business pitch that will help take your ideas to new heights.

VIEW EVENT PAGE

Pitching Makes Perfect Night

Friday, Dec. 1

Workshop | Grawn Hall Classroom 150G | 5 - 6:30 p.m.

Be ready for Make-A-Pitch and dazzle the judges! Attend Pitching Makes Perfect night and receive friendly feedback about your pitch.

VIEW EVENT PAGE

Last Chance: Pitch Practice Night

Monday, Dec. 4

Workshop | Grawn Hall Classroom 150G | 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Be ready for Make-A-Pitch and dazzle the judges! Attend Pitching Makes Perfect night and receive friendly feedback about your pitch.

VIEW EVENT PAGE

Make-A-Pitch Competition

Tuesday, Dec. 5

Competition | Grawn Hall Atrium | 5 - 8:30 p.m.

The Make-A-Pitch Competition! Present an idea in a 3-minute pitch to a small panel of judges for feedback and cash prizes.

VIEW EVENT PAGE

NVC 106: Topic to be announced

Thursday, Jan. 25

Workshop | Grawn Hall 166| 5 - 6:00 p.m.

Join us for the first NVC workshop of the spring semester! Start the spring off right and dive into the development of your venture for NVC.

VIEW EVENT PAGE

NVC Spring Bootcamp I and Networking Night

Friday, Feb. 2

Workshop | Grawn Hall Classroom 150G| 1 - 4:30 p.m.

Networking Night| Location TBA| 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Join NVC mentors and work with them to build out your venture idea.

VIEW EVENT PAGE

NVC 107: Topic to be announced

Friday, Feb. 16

Workshop | Grawn Hall Classroom 150G| 5 - 6:00 p.m.

The second NVC skill builder workshop of the spring semester. Topic to be announced.

VIEW EVENT PAGE

NVC Spring Bootcamp II and Networking Night

Friday, Feb. 23

Workshop | Grawn Hall Classroom 150G| 1 - 4:30 p.m.

Networking Night | Location TBA | 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Are you competing in the New Venture Challenge? Attend our last bootcamp with the NVC mentors and network.

VIEW EVENT PAGE

NVC 108: Topic to be announced

Monday, March 11

Workshop | Grawn Hall Classroom 150G|5 - 6:00 p.m.

NVC is right around the corner! Join us for the third and last NVC skillbuilder of the spring semester.

VIEW EVENT PAGE

Practice Pitch Night

Friday, March 22

Workshop | Grawn Hall Classroom 150G| 6 - 7:30 p.m.

NVC participants are required to attend this Pitch Practice Night, to fine-tune your pitch before the NVC virtual preliminary round.

VIEW EVENT PAGE

New Venture Challenge: Virtual Preliminary Round

Tuesday, April 2

Competition | Virtual | 2 - 6:00 p.m.

Venture teams who enter to compete in the Full Presentation category will present a 10-minute pitch of their venture virtually.

VIEW EVENT PAGE

NVC Finalist Team Practice Run

Tuesday, April 2

Workshop | Location and time to be announced

NVC Finalist Venture Teams will visit French Auditorium and practice their pitches.

VIEW EVENT PAGE

Mandatory NVC Participant Meeting

Thursday, April 18

Meeting | Grawn Hall Classroom 150G | 5 - 6:00 p.m. 

Teams participating in the NVC Finals event on Friday, April 19 will be required to attend this informational meeting. Pizza and drinks will be provided.

VIEW EVENT PAGE

New Venture Challenge Finals, Gallery, Showcase and Awards Gala

Friday, April 19

Competition | Location to be announced | 2 - 9:00 p.m. 

New Venture Challenge: Finals for the Elevator Pitch and 10-minute Presentation, Student Gallery, Campus-wide Showcase, and Awards Gala.

VIEW EVENT PAGE


Mentoring and assistance


Professor John Gustincic

Book an appointment.

Get personalized help with your entrepreneurial journey.  Entrepreneurship faculty member Professor Gustincic will be available by appointment.

CONTACT

Entrepreneur in Resident John Gustincic

Entrepreneur-in-Residence: Casey Croad

Book an appointment

Founder and owner of Ignite Donuts and past NVC winner Casey Croad can be reached by individual appointment.

CONTACT

Casey Croad Ignite Donuts

Graphic Design Assistance: Building Your Business Brand

IBIE and the College of Arts and Media have teamed up to provide graphic design student support through the Design Bureau class led by Professor David Stairs. Design Bureau students will be able to assist you in building your business image and brand which includes but is not limited to: logos, color palette, website visualization, PowerPoint slides, banners, animations, kiosks, and general branding. This is a great opportunity to build a professional brand for your business. Wow the judges at the New Venture Challenge competition with your polished business brand, contact us today to get connected!

Graphic Design Student