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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.

      Central Michigan University is ranked third among Michigan colleges and universities in the 2023 Best Online Bachelor’s Program rankings by U.S. News and World Report.

      In addition to its Best Online Bachelor’s Program ranking, CMU also ranks in the top three among Michigan schools in four other categories:

      • Best Online Bachelor’s Program for Psychology: 1st in Michigan
      • Best Online Bachelor’s Program for Business: 2nd in Michigan
      • Best Online MBA Program for Veterans: 2nd in Michigan
      • Best Online Master’s in Education program: 3rd in Michigan

      U.S. News assessed schools based on a variety of objective factors, such as student engagement, faculty credentials, and services and technology.

      "CMU has been a leader in distance education for over 50 years,” said Betty Kirby, vice president for Innovation and Online at CMU. “We are proud to be continuously recognized for our high-quality online programs and flexible learning options for students.”

      This past fall, U.S. News and World Report ranked CMU as the fourth-best public college or university in Michigan.

      Source: Aaron Mills

      Media Contact: Aaron Mills

      Questions?