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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.

      Central Michigan University announces partnership with SpartanNash

      by Jaime Griffis

      Central Michigan University and food solutions company SpartanNash proudly announce their educational alliance, providing significant benefits to over 17,000 Associates nationwide. The collaboration, launched in December 2023 and set to continue until December 2028, underscores both institutions' commitment to enhancing the growth of SpartanNash Associates and their families.

      "We are thrilled to expand our partnership with SpartanNash," expressed Interim Vice President, Innovation and Online at CMU Kaleb Patrick, "This collaboration signifies our shared commitment to fostering educational opportunities for individuals and communities across the state. We take pride in contributing to the professional advancement of SpartanNash Associates and their families."

      SpartanNash Associates, along with their spouses and dependents, are eligible for a 10% tuition reduction on a variety of programs offered through CMU Online.

      “We’re excited about our partnership with Central Michigan University. This opportunity aligns perfectly with our People Philosophy where we want to create meaningful experiences and growth opportunities, inspiring careers for a better life,” said SpartanNash Senior Director of Talent Development and Diversity Deann Wright. “We're pleased to offer our Associates and their families a discount, and we're opening doors to lifelong learning and personal growth. This initiative supports our shared commitment with CMU to cultivate a thriving community and emphasizes our belief that an investment in education is an investment in our future."

      CMU and SpartanNash are also collaborating on the development of customized learning solutions that address the nuanced needs of SpartanNash Associates. Patrick explained, “By tailoring a learning experience unique to the needs of SpartanNash, we are able to align best industry practices with SpartanNash’s distinct goals.” The tailored learning experiences bring Associates from across the organization together to collaborate on organizational projects and professional development.

      Eligible individuals can apply through apply.cmich.edu . It's important to note that while the discount is applicable to a wide array of programs, certain exclusions do apply. For inquiries or additional information, interested parties can contact onlineprograms@cmich.edu.

      Explore more at Online.cmich.edu/SpartanNash.

      About SpartanNash

      SpartanNash (Nasdaq: SPTN) is a food solutions company that delivers the ingredients for a better life. Committed to fostering a People First culture, the SpartanNash family of Associates is 17,000 strong. SpartanNash operates two complementary business segments – food wholesale and grocery retail. Its global supply chain network serves wholesale customers that include independent and chain grocers, national retail brands, e-commerce platforms, and U.S. military commissaries and exchanges. The Company distributes products for every aisle in the grocery store, from fresh produce to household goods to its OwnBrands, which include the Our Family® portfolio of products. On the retail side, SpartanNash operates 147 brick-and-mortar grocery stores, primarily under the banners of Family Fare, Martin’s Super Markets and D&W Fresh Market, in addition to dozens of pharmacies and fuel centers. Leveraging insights and solutions across its segments, SpartanNash offers a full suite of support services for independent grocers. For more information, visit spartannash.com.

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