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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.

      Professor Receives Mentor of the Year Award

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      Jim McDonald, faculty member in the department of Teacher and Special Education (TSE), received the 2023 Outstanding Mentor of the Year Award from the Association of Science Teacher Education (ASTE).  This award honors ASTE members who support and encourage pre-service and in-service science teachers, and/or new science teacher educators entering the profession. It also seeks to recognize the valuable contributions of mentors to the profession of science teacher education. 

      Debi Hanuscin, past president of the ASTE, nominated Jim for this award.  She said, “ASTE is unique from other organizations in its focused commitment to science teacher education.  Jim manifests this commitment in every aspect of his career.”  Jim’s outstanding mentor accomplishments contributed to the professional development of science teachers and teacher educators, including assisting in the application of research to practice in science teaching, encouraging participation in professional associations related to science teaching, and encouraging contributions to the knowledge base of science teacher educators and providing opportunities for their professional growth. 

      The ASTE provides leadership and support for professionals involved in the education and development of teachers of science at all levels.  ASTE promotes scholarship, collaboration, and innovation in science teacher education, and seeks to advance policy and practice that contributes to more just and equitable outcomes for teachers of science.

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      Questions?

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