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.

2025 NVC Competition Live Stream

2025 NVC Awards Live Stream

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 student standing with a faculty member holding big winning checks from the New Venture Challenge 2024.

Start up

Build up your venture idea.

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A student smiling and standing in front of his venture display at the 2024 New Venture Challenge.

Family business

Explore the Alternative Entrepreneurial Pathways category at NVC.

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A close-up of the Prusa i3 MK3 printer in the entrepreneurship makerspace, the IDEA Den in Grawn Hall 166.

Product and prototype design

Create and patent your ideas.

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Innovation

Explore your ideas and build your skills.

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Advancement vice president to step down

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Heidi Tracy, Central Michigan University's vice president for advancement, today announced her decision to step down from her role, effective immediately.

Tracy joined CMU in October 2019, following the retirement of previous Vice President for Advancement Bob Martin. CMU's focus on cultivating a strong culture of philanthropy and engagement has grown tremendously under Tracy's two years of leadership, CMU President Bob Davies said.

"I am grateful for the insights and leadership Ms. Tracy has provided our university community during her tenure," Davies said. "The Advancement team has made great strides in building the processes and infrastructure necessary to support a robust and successful fundraising campaign. Thanks to their efforts, we are well-positioned for success in the years ahead."

Highlighting Tracy's contributions to the university, Davies outlined the following:

Exceeded CMU's 2020 Day of Giving campaign goal by nearly $100,000.
Recognized with a 2020 CASE Educational Fundraising Award.
Increased overall visits and interactions with donors, despite COVID-19 challenges.
Built and/or strengthened relationships with alumni, donors and friends nationwide.
Partnered closely with deans and unit directors to develop strategic priorities to guide fundraising efforts.

Davies has appointed Jennifer Cotter, executive director of advancement and campaign, and Marcie Otteman, executive director of alumni relations and development strategies, to co-lead advancement and alumni engagement efforts.