Spark Challenge celebrates student innovation and problem solving

Central Michigan University students filled the Grawn Hall Atrium on Nov. 20 for the 2025 Spark Challenge, an annual event hosted by the Isabella Bank Institute for Entrepreneurship. The competition invited students to pitch their ideas in a fast, 90-second format across two tracks: the Impact Path and the Venture Path.

The Impact Path took on a hackathon-style format. Students created their pitches on site during the event and focused on developing solutions that strengthen community and address loneliness on campus. The Venture Path centered on scalable business concepts and invited students to bring forward ideas they had been refining throughout the semester.

Students from across campus shared early-stage and developed ideas, connected with peers and mentors, and received feedback from a panel of judges. The atmosphere stayed energetic throughout the evening as teams presented, networked, and celebrated the spirit of entrepreneurship.

At the end of the night, first-place winners and runners-up were recognized in both competition paths. In the Venture Path, Carolina Hernandez Ruiz earned first place. “It reminded me that growth isn’t always linear and that the years you don’t place can be the ones that teach you the most. Showing up again made this accomplishment deeply rewarding,” she said.

In the Impact Path, the team of Marshall Dennis, Laila Jackson, Marvin Jennings and Madison Mizell earned top honors for their pitch based on the prompt "Infinities."

Event organizers noted the collaboration that made the evening possible. “It takes an amazing team to bring this event together, and it’s inspiring to see students, judges, and mentors all working toward the same purpose,” said Rachel Trost from the Isabella Bank Institute for Entrepreneurship who helped coordinate the event. “Collaboration is what fuels the spirit of entrepreneurship at CMU. I am so lucky to have been a part of this event.”

Students also contributed behind the scenes to help the event run smoothly. Student employee Elyssa Widup supported logistics and presentation materials. “It was incredible to listen to so many thoughtful, forward-thinking ideas from students across different majors,” she said.

Judges, faculty and the IBIE team guided students through the experience from start to finish. Organizers emphasized that the purpose of the Spark Challenge is to help students practice pitching, build confidence and take meaningful steps toward bringing their ideas to life.

The Spark Challenge continues to highlight CMU’s commitment to empowering students as thinkers, problem solvers and innovators, one 90-second pitch at a time.