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.

Learn more

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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Behind the scenes of the Threads Fashion Show VIP Reception

by Kathleen Hodgkins

As the curtains rose on the annual Threads Fashion Show, anticipation was high for a night of glamour, innovation and style. Behind the scenes, a group of dedicated Event Management minor students from NDS 261 Foodservice Catering for Events were poised to make their mark on the VIP reception.

Under the guidance of Dr. Jeff Fisher, these students collaborated with Executive Catering Chef David Miller and Senior Executive Chef Corey Arndt from CMU Dining Services, bringing their expertise and creativity to enhance the event experience. “We’re not here to make food; we’re here to make dreams come true,” Chef Miller stated.

The students embraced the opportunity to put their classroom learning into practice in a real-world setting. “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to collaborate with Threads Fashion Show and contribute to the success of the VIP Reception,” said Dr. Fisher. “This hands-on experience is invaluable for these aspiring event managers, and we are grateful for the chance to showcase our skills for such a prestigious event.”

Eleven students pose together with Dr. Fisher in front of a table in the test kitchen on campus.

The Threads Fashion Show, known for celebrating diversity and creativity in fashion, provides the perfect backdrop for these budding event planners to shine. With their dedication, passion and attention to detail, the students played a key role in ensuring that the VIP Reception was a highlight of the evening.

For more information on NDS 261 Foodservice Catering for Events, please contact faculty member Dr. Jeff Fisher at fishe2jj@cmich.edu. The course is offered every spring semester.