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.
Central Michigan University and Michigan College Access Network (MCAN) Announce Partnership
by
Jaime Griffis
Central Michigan University (CMU) and the Michigan College Access Network (MCAN) joined to establish an educational alliance, offering substantial benefits to over 300 MCAN staff and collaborators statewide. The partnership launched late last year and is slated to endure until November 12, 2028. It will provide certain tuition reductions and benefits typically only available to university staff and families.
“We are delighted to extend our collaboration with the Michigan College Access Network,” expressed Casie Hansel, Regional Director of Business and Community Engagement at CMU. “This partnership signifies our mutual commitment to nurturing educational opportunities for individuals and communities throughout the state. We take pride in contributing to the professional advancement of MCAN members and their families.”
The inclusive approach encompasses not only Michigan College Access Network employees but also MCAN’s local college access networks, MCAN AmeriCorps program members, along with spouses and dependents, all of whom qualify for a 15% tuition reduction on diverse programs available through CMU Online.
“Our collaboration with Central Michigan University underscores our shared dedication to providing educational resources and fostering lifelong learning,” affirmed Ryan Fewins-Bliss, Executive Director of Michigan College Access Network. “We are proud to support institutions like CMU that promote learning opportunities within our state, appreciating their role in cultivating thriving communities. The benefits accessible to our employees, members, and their families through this alliance are invaluable.”
To take advantage of this opportunity, eligible individuals can apply through apply.cmich.edu. It's important to note that while the discount applies to a wide array of programs, certain exclusions apply. For inquiries or additional information, interested parties can contact onlineprograms@cmich.edu.
Explore more at online.cmich.edu/MCAN
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.
