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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.
Provost Mathews announces interim leadership team for health professions
by
Erica Peters
Nancy E. Mathews, Provost and Executive Vice President, has announced an interim leadership team for The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow College of Health Professions, as Dean Tom Masterson prepares to step down this summer. After leading the college for nearly 11 years, Masterson will serve as dean through June 30 and then plans to return to a faculty role in the spring semester of 2025.
In preparation for this transition in college leadership, several appointments will take effect July 1, including Dr. Greg Zimmerman as interim dean, Dr. Blaine Long as interim associate dean, and Dr. Rachael Nelson as assistant dean.
Dr. Zimmerman began his role as Associate Dean in the College of Health Professions in the fall of 2019. Prior to joining CMU, Dr. Zimmerman served in numerous roles in healthcare and higher education over the past 35 years including the Atlanta Braves National Baseball Club, General Motors University, Metaldyne University, Mercy Medical Center-Trinity Health, and Ferris State University. Dr. Zimmerman earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Sports Medicine and a Master of Science in Administration in Health Services from CMU, as well as a Doctorate in Higher Education Leadership from Nova Southeastern University.
Dr. Blaine Long currently serves as the Representative Chair of the School of Rehabilitation and Medical Sciences, as well as Professor and Director of the Athletic Training Program. Dr. Long earned a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from Millikin University, a Master of Science in Athletic Training from Indiana State University, and a Ph.D. in Exercise Science with a Specialization in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation from Brigham Young University.
Dr. Rachael Nelson is a professor of Exercise Science and current chair of CMU’s Institutional Review Board. Dr. Nelson earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master of Science in Exercise Physiology from Eastern Michigan University, and a Ph.D. in Kinesiology from the University of Michigan.
Mathews said the university will begin the search for the next leader for the College of Health Professions this fall.
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.
