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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 Extends Partnership to Empower State Employees' Education
by
Jaime Griffis
Central Michigan University (CMU) proudly announces the extension of its partnership with the State of Michigan, dedicated to providing educational opportunities for state employees. Originally forged on July 31, 2017, this collaborative effort has the potential to positively impact over 48,000 individuals statewide and will continue doing so until November 30, 2028.
The partnership aims to bolster academic achievement among state employees and their families by offering accessible and affordable higher education opportunities. Through this collaboration, employees within state government gain access to significant tuition savings, enabling them to pursue further education and career advancement.
Charisse Blanks, Director of Career Services at the Michigan Civil Service Commission, expressed enthusiasm about the continuation of this partnership. "We know CMU is a recognized leader in higher education and that the university is committed to the academic achievement of the people of the State of Michigan," Blanks stated. "We are excited to be able to continue our partnership with CMU to offer tuition savings for employees within state government, giving our employees and their families easier access to unparalleled opportunities for engaged learning from an exceptional faculty."
CMU remains committed to empowering individuals through education. This renewed partnership underscores its dedication to fostering academic achievement and professional growth among state employees and their families. By offering significant tuition savings, CMU aims to make higher education more accessible and affordable for those serving the state.
"We are thrilled to extend our partnership with the State of Michigan to support the educational aspirations of state employees," remarked Dr. Kaleb Patrick, Interim Vice President of Central Michigan University. "At CMU, the belief in the transformative power of education is paramount, and the institution is honored to play a role in the continued professional development and academic pursuits of individuals across the state. This partnership extension reflects CMU's ongoing commitment to providing high-quality education that enhances careers and enriches lives."
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.
