Start up
Build up your venture idea.
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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.
Behind the lens with Pete Souza
by
Bree Ring
Pete Souza, former Chief Official White House Photographer for Presidents Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama will give a presentation on leadership and legacy at Central Michigan University on Monday, September 30. Hosted by CMU’s School of Communication, Journalism, and Media, Souza’s talk will give audiences a behind-the-scenes look at life in the White House through the lens of his camera.
During his time documenting the Obama administration, Souza traveled with the president to more than 60 countries and all 50 states. His photos have captured some of the most important moments in history, giving people around the world a glimpse into the presidency.
Souza’s work has been featured in National Geographic, Time, and Life magazines. His book “Obama: An Intimate Portrait” was a #1 New York Times bestseller. He was also the focus of the documentary “The Way I See It,” which premiered on MSNBC last year.
Pete Souza has had an extraordinary career at the highest levels of photojournalism. His work documenting key moments of leadership and impact has provided invaluable insight into American history. We’re honored to host him at Central Michigan University.
The event is free and open to the public. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the presentation will start at 7 p.m. in the Plachta Auditorium. Souza will take questions from the audience for 15 minutes at the end of his talk. Souza will sign books after the presentation. Books will be available for purchase at the event.
About the School of Communication, Journalism, and Media
The School of Communication, Journalism, and Media at Central Michigan University offers undergraduate and graduate programs spanning advertising, journalism, media studies, public relations, and telecommunications. Our students gain valuable experience through internships, study abroad opportunities, and student media organizations.
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.
View our programming newsletter
Alumni give back to students through mentorship, real-world experiences
The Wakeling Gendron Entrepreneurial Scholars program wrapped its first cohort this academic year.
Students compete to win cash prizes at the New Venture Challenge
Pitched 40 ventures at NMV Challenge, Friday, April 19, CMU. Judges awarded $100,000 in cash prizes.
Wakeling Gendron Scholars make a life-changing trip to Texas
Wakeling and Gendron Scholars attended SXSW in Texas, meeting industry leaders and gaining entrepreneurial insights.
Business barriers lead CMU students to a new venture
Justin Ashman and Philip Mundt won Central Michigan University's New Venture Competition with their 3-D printing operation, Form Further.
