Entrepreneurship Institute Workshops and Events

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

Mentoring and assistance

Professor John Gustincic

Mondays | 12 - 3 p.m. | Grawn 166

Wednesdays | 10 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.| Grawn 166

Fridays | 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. | Grawn 166

Get personalized help with your entrepreneurial journey.  Entrepreneurship faculty member Professor Gustincic will be available each week Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for coaching. Flexibility outside the above hours is available, please email: gusti1j@cmich.edu to schedule a meeting that works with you. 

Office hours

Entrepreneur in Resident John Gustincic

Entrepreneur-in-Residence: Casey Croad

Grawn 166

Founder and owner of Ignite Donuts and past NVC winner Casey Croad can be reached by individual appointment at croad1cc@cmich.edu.

Casey Croad Ignite Donuts

Tech Coordinator: Martin Bennett

Mon/Wed/Fri |1 - 3 p.m. | Grawn 166

Martin will be available in the Isabella Bank Institute for Entrepreneurship’s IDEA Den space to assist students with the 3D printer and other technology tools. The IDEA Den's two 3D printers and cricut are available for student use. Stop by Grawn 166 to build and create!

IDEA Den 3D Printers

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 the Design Bureau today!
Please email Professor David Stairs to connect with a Design Bureau student team: stair1dc@cmich.edu

Graphic Design Student

Competitions

The New Venture Challenge

Preliminaries |Tuesday, April 11 | 3 - 5:30 p.m. | Virtual

Finals | Friday, April 21| 1 - 8 p.m. | McGuirk Arena

The CMU New Venture Challenge is a competitive event for students enrolled across all colleges at CMU to develop their entrepreneurial mindset, learn business start-up techniques, and develop their business ideas.

Intent to Compete Form

Learn more

Intent to compete form is due March 14!

Bootcamps and events

Registering for IBIE events is not required but recommended. 

NVC Spring Bootcamp II

Day 1 – Networking Night

Thursday, March 23 | 5:30 – 8 p.m. | TBA

Networking, idea sharing, and learning. This is a social and networking setting that includes refreshments and dinner. Build connections with mentors, students, and work together!

Day 2 – Workshop Modules

Friday, November 24 | 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.| Grawn 100

  • Mentor Training: 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 am
  • Coffee with mentors: 10:30 a.m. -11:00 a.m.
  • Workshop segments: 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Students are welcome to arrive at 10:30 AM to enjoy coffee and donuts with the mentors. The workshop modules start at 11:00 AM and end at 4:00 PM.

View event page

Bring It Together workshop

Monday, March 27 | 5 – 8 p.m. | Grawn 166

Attend a session to work on your venture display for the NVC Venture Gallery and Showcase. Craft supplies and tools will be provided, please bring any materials you wish to use for your venture display.

View event page

Mentor meetup

Friday, April 7 | 12 – 2 p.m. | Grawn 166

Meet up with mentors for feedback and advice on your venture plan before the NVC preliminaries! 

View event page