New Venture Challenge Resources
Register Now for NVC 2026You have a chance to win big.
All CMU students can enter into the New Venture Challenge and compete. No matter your major or minor or student status. Are you a CMU student in good-standing? You can compete in NVC!
NVC is one of the largest venture competitions in the state. As a CMU student, you have the special opportunity to win thousands of dollars in cash awards, build amazing connections to boost your career and launch your dreams! It is an incredible opportunity, and we want to see every team successfully make it to NVC Finals on March 27, 2026.
Are you committed to competing and pitching your venture idea at NVC 2026?
Sign up for the competition by submitting your idea and team members, if you have a team, through the Registration Form. The registration form confirms your status as an active competitor. The sign-up window is between January 12, 2026 - February 23, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. est. We recommend you sign up for NVC as soon as you decide on an idea and competition category.
Video submission is open February 23, 2026 - March 4, 2026.
Don't have an idea yet but still interested in NVC?
It's okay if you don't have an idea yet! You have several months to decide and prepare. You can still attend our events, workshops and info sessions. You can join a team or work on developing your own idea up until signup closes Monday, February 23, 2026.
Please check out all NVC competition resources and support below.
Competitor resource folder
The competitor resource folder contains:
- Competition rubrics for each full presentation category (high growth high potential, social mission, and main street)
- NVC Team Agreements
- Business Model Canvas tools
- An NVC app for your phone and desktop to track your venture development
- NVC mentor bios
Prototyping
Schedule an appointment with Tech Coordinator, Brendon Murray for prototyping assistance.
Events
NVC workshops and mentor meetups will help you build your skills, meet other student entrepreneurs and NVC mentors who can help you grow you idea. Participating in other competitions and programs through the year will keep your skills sharp for NVC.
Workshops and Mentor Meetups
RSVP for the NVC Mentor Meetups and NVC 101 workshops on the Isabella Bank Institute for Entrepreneurship eventbrite page.
NVC Mentor Meetups run on Fridays twice a semester. As a NVC participant you will attend sessions from 5:00pm - 8:30pm with NVC mentors to help build up your business idea and the skills you need to know to successfully participate in The New Venture Challenge. Mentors are available during this time to assist you and your team. Participants head over to another location alongside other students, mentors, supporters and staff for a fun activity and networking. You can ask mentors questions, and learn from experienced entrepreneurs. Food and drinks are provided. All CMU students are welcome to attend NVC Mentor Meetups.
Students who plan on participating in the New Venture Challenge competition should attend at least two NVC Mentor Meetups during the 2024-2025 academic year.
Mentor Meetup topics include but are not limited to:
- Business model canvas
- Financials
- Customer validation
- Market segmentation
- Website building and design
- Logo design
- Pitch practice
- PowerPoint presentation practice
Check out the next meetup and register today!
Venture exploration fund
Students who plan on competing in the New Venture Challenge can apply for funding to help grow their venture. Learn more and apply today!
Other campus resources
Presentation Skills Center
Students can practice pitching on a virtual stage and gain tips from public speaking experts at the presentation skills center.
The Writing Center
Brush up on your writing skills and present a polished pitch deck and website to the judges.
First Impressions
New Venture Challenge teams are required to wear business professional attire during the preliminary and final round. First Impressions provides Central Michigan University students with free professional attire for interviews, job fairs, and other professional events.
Off-campus support
An outside organizations dedicated to supporting small businesses may be able to help you with yours. Explore off-campus opportunities for support.
The CMU Research Corporation
CMU Research Corporation is a 501(c)(3) organization with professional and diverse co-working space and accelerator programs. It is focused on product and strategic development for entrepreneurs to positively impact the economy in the Great Lakes Bay Region.
Middle Michigan Development Corporation
The Middle Michigan Development Corporation's mission is to support the economy with services designed to retain, expand and attract businesses in Clare, Gladwin, Isabella, and Osceola Counties to foster economic vitality and resilience in our region.
Michigan Small Business Development Corporation
Located within Mid-Michigan Community College, the Michigan Small Business Development Corporation's mission is to help your Michigan small business succeed and offer free support with small business consulting, tools and resources. Provided or developed by experts, each one is geared to help you with a key aspect of Michigan entrepreneurship.