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.

2025 NVC Competition Live Stream

2025 NVC Awards Live Stream

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.

A student standing with a faculty member holding big winning checks from the New Venture Challenge 2024.

Start up

Build up your venture idea.

Learn more

A student smiling and standing in front of his venture display at the 2024 New Venture Challenge.

Family business

Explore the Alternative Entrepreneurial Pathways category at NVC.

Learn more

A close-up of the Prusa i3 MK3 printer in the entrepreneurship makerspace, the IDEA Den in Grawn Hall 166.

Product and prototype design

Create and patent your ideas.

Learn more

Innovation

Explore your ideas and build your skills.

Learn more

Fire Up All-Night returns to CMU with new opportunities

by Symantha Dattilo

The Office of Student Activities and Involvement (SAI) is bringing back Fire Up All Night with exciting updates. The late-night program will take over the Student Activity Center (SAC) from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., providing students with an energetic and safe space to gather, unwind, and enjoy a range of engaging activities – all completely free.

For the first time, SAI is inviting Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) to bring their creative vision to Fire Up All Night. SAI is offering grants of $2,000 to five RSOs to host their own event during the late-night program in the spring semester. These grants aim to enhance student involvement and encourage RSOs to make Fire Up All Night an unforgettable experience. Assistant Director of SAI, Noah Burks, shared his enthusiasm for the opportunity, saying, “Fire Up All Night has always been about bringing students together in a fun and inclusive environment. This year, we’re excited to add a new level of involvement by supporting RSOs as they showcase their unique ideas to build community through late-night programming.”

To qualify, RSOs need to meet specific criteria. Only fully registered student organizations-including RSOs, fraternity and sorority life, and sports clubs-can apply for these grants. Events must be scheduled on a Friday or Saturday from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., in the SAC. In line with SAI’s commitment to promoting safe, inclusive environments, all events are required to be alcohol-and drug-free, and they should not suggest or encourage any post-event parties. RSOs also cannot fundraise during the event or use the event for fundraising purposes.

Applications for Fire Up All Night grants open on November 1 and will be available on Engage Central. Proposals must be submitted by November 22. RSOs are encouraged to take creative risks, push boundaries, and make their event unforgettable. “We want our students to think outside of the box,” Burks added. “Fire Up All Night should be a unique experience for everyone involved.

Questions about applications or event planning details can be directed to Noah Burks at burks1na@cmich.edu.