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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.
Textile association honors faculty member
by
Sanjna Jassi
CMU Fashion, Interior Design and Merchandising faculty member Usha Chowdhary received the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists Student Chapter Faculty Advisor Award.
Central Michigan University Fashion, Design and Merchandising faculty member Usha Chowdhary was chosen as the inaugural recipient of the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists Student Chapter Faculty Advisor Award.
Chowdhary was honored March 12 at the 2020 AATCC International Conference in Greenville, South Carolina, in recognition of her active leadership, participation and support of CMU's
AATCC student chapter. A member of AATCC since 2004, Chowdhary has advised the CMU student chapter since its inception in 2010.
"Affiliation of FIDM students with the CMU chapter of AATCC has several benefits," Chowdhary said. "It grooms members with leadership opportunities and awards, scholarships, research awards and professional development options.
"Student membership by itself provides them with free copies of the AATCC Review that keeps them informed about all activities and opportunities of the international organization."
Throughout her academic career, Chowdhary has taught graduate and undergraduate courses in all aspects of textiles, fashion and design. She has advised many graduate and undergraduate students and encouraged scholarly creative activities.
Chowdhary has received numerous awards and recognitions from peers and students for her leadership and support. She received AATCC's Faculty Advisor Recognition in 2017.
AATCC is a global association of professionals from across the textile and related industries. The Student Chapter Faculty Advisor Award recognizes and promotes AATCC members who work to ensure their AATCC student chapters are active and growing.
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.
