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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.

      A century of pride and tradition

      by Jason Fielder

      Central Michigan University marked a major milestone, celebrating 100 Years of CMU Homecoming in a vibrant display of school spirit, community gatherings, and alumni reunions. The weekend was highlighted by beautiful fall foliage on our Mount Pleasant campus, providing a picturesque backdrop for our many Homecoming traditions.

      At the heart of this year’s celebration were the Grand Marshals—members of the legendary 1974 CMU football team that won the NCAA Division II National Championship. Now reunited 50 years later, these alumni led the homecoming parade and were honored on the field during the Mid-Amercian Conference game featuring the CMU Chippewas vs. the Ohio Bobcats. 

      Notable Saturday festivities included the annual homecoming parade, the Cardboard Boat Races, a Special Olympics Michigan 5K race, a 50-Year Reunion for the graduating classes between 1971 and 1977 (with a special emphasis on the class of 1974), and open house gatherings for the College of Business Administration and Honors alumni.

      With a full lineup of events honoring the university’s legacy, CMU’s 100th Homecoming celebration united generations of CMU Chippewas, highlighting a century of tradition and the bonds that have grown over the years. It was a memorable milestone that will inspire future generations to carry on CMU’s spirit and pride.

      Click below to watch a quick recap video of the weekend festivities.

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