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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.
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CMU senior wins national sales competition
Oct 21, 2021, 21:34 by Sanjna JassiCMU senior Emma Stowe won first place in Pi Sigma Epsilon’s National Pro-Am Sell-A-Thon and Yearlong Sell-A-Thon competitions. The Pro-Am Sell-A-Thon is centered around a business scenario role-play selling for Cutco.Full story -
Recent CMU grads quickly find their niches
Oct 21, 2021, 21:32 by Sanjna JassiCentral Michigan University names its 10 Within 10 alumni award recipients.Full story -
Trustees to reflect on a year of the pandemic
Oct 21, 2021, 21:28 by Sanjna JassiThe Central Michigan University Board of Trustees will hear a presentation reflecting on the past year of the pandemic's impact on the university when it meets virtually April 21 and 22.Full story -
In memoriam: Sarah Kunik
Oct 21, 2021, 21:26 by Sanjna JassiSarah Kunik, executive office Specialist for the Center of Clinical Experiences, passed away on March 29, 2021. She is survived by her husband, Nick, and two daughters, Olivia and Mallory.Full story -
Student affairs AVP announces retirement
Oct 21, 2021, 21:25 by Sanjna JassiAfter four decades as an undergraduate and graduate student, employee and administrator, Anthony Voisin announces plans to retire from the university this summerFull story -
Student duo points the way to a sustainable future
Oct 21, 2021, 21:24 by Sanjna JassiTeresa Homsi and Eric Urbaniak have been at the helm of Central Sustainability at CMU, working to engage students in creating a more sustainable future.Full story -
CMU Board of Trustees welcomes two new members
Oct 21, 2021, 21:21 by Sanjna JassiTwo new members of the CMU Board of Trustees, Sharon L. Heath and Regine C. Beauboeuf, attended their first meeting today after being appointed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer last month.Full story -
CMU website redesign project progressing
Oct 21, 2021, 21:11 by Sanjna JassiCentral Michigan University’s website redesign, a key project geared toward advancing the university’s enrollment efforts, continues to progress.Full story -
Performing on a professional stage
Oct 21, 2021, 17:16 by Sanjay GuptaEight CMU students and two CMU faculty members performed alongside the premier Masashi Action Machine dance company in Nagoya, Japan.Full story -
The art of the challenging chat
Oct 21, 2021, 00:49 by Sanjna JassiIntergroup dialogue at CMU helps students navigate challenging conversations about polarizing issues.Full story -
Digging into Michigan’s past
Oct 20, 2021, 15:31 by Sanjna JassiAnthropology students at Central Michigan University dig into Michigan’s past to discover and preserve cultural history.Full story -
A prestigious performance
Oct 20, 2021, 15:15 by Sanjay GuptaStudents at Central Michigan University prepare for the annual Da Capo performance, showcasing the best musicians in the School of Music.Full story -
State enlists CMU faculty in COVID-19 early warning efforts
Oct 20, 2021, 15:10 by Sanjna JassiThree Central Michigan University faculty members are engaged in a statewide early warning pilot program to search for signs of the virus in wastewater samples.Full story -
Meteorite makes fresh impact
Oct 20, 2021, 15:08 by Sanjna JassiSmithsonian geologist Catherine Corrigan spoke at Park Library about the Edmore meteorite and how meteorites offer clues to the formation of the solar system.Full story -
5 tips for balancing work, school and life
Oct 19, 2021, 15:31 by User Not FoundAs a busy working adult, you undoubtedly have a lot on your plate. You're no stranger to juggling important responsibilities like children, family, friends, a home and a career. As you return to school to advance your professional path, your balancing act may become more complex.Full story -
Supporting minority communities' well-being
Oct 17, 2021, 19:23 by Sanjay GuptaAs a professor of sociology at CMU, Elbert Almazan is leading research about the health and well-being of LGBTQ communities.Full story -
Meteorite stardom only scratches surface of geology’s allure
Oct 17, 2021, 19:15 by Sanjay GuptaCMU faculty member Mona Sirbescu talks about earth science, the glowing mineral called “yooperlite” in Michigan, and life after meteorite stardom.Full story -
Exploring masks as fashion
Oct 17, 2021, 19:01 by Sanjay GuptaCMU fashion and merchandising design faculty member Michael Mamp talks about masks and face coverings as apparel in the time of COVID-19.Full story -
Studley presides over first CMU Board of Trustees meeting
Oct 17, 2021, 18:57 by Sanjay GuptaRichard K. Studley today presided over his first formal meeting as chair of the Central Michigan University Board of Trustees.Full story -
More than 101M reasons to Fire Up!
Oct 17, 2021, 18:53 by Sanjay GuptaCentral Michigan University exceeds $100 million fundraising goal in the historic Fire Up for Excellence campaign.Full story
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.
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