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.

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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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CMU introducing new esports scholarships

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Central Michigan University is launching its first-ever esports scholarships, underscoring the institution's dedication to advancing the growing field of esports and gaming. These scholarships aim to recognize and support outstanding student gamers who excel in their chosen esports titles and contribute to the CMU community.

Innovative scholarships for aspiring esports students

CMU's esports program offers two distinctive scholarships:

Varsity Premiere Scholarship: A partial, one-year scholarship provides $1,000 to students who exhibit exceptional skill and competitive experience in Rocket League.

Varsity Academy Scholarship: A partial, one-year scholarship, focusing on League of Legends, Overwatch 2, Super Smash Bros, and Valorant. These scholarships range from $100 to $300 and are awarded based on in-game performance and previous competitive experience.

Scholarships are a “game-changer”

Seth Polmanteer, a CMU junior competing in Rocket League, thinks the scholarships will benefit students beyond their gameplay. "CMU bringing scholarships to esports will change the game completely,” Polmanteer said. “Being recognized for my talents motivates me to become a better player and person on and off the field."

Building a strong gaming and esports community

Beyond individual scholarships, CMU's esports program is dedicated to fostering a vibrant gaming community on campus. The Central Michigan Gaming Club provides a platform for students to connect, compete, and collaborate. This club structure supports various gaming communities and encourages students to form their own clubs, enhancing the sense of belonging and teamwork.

A vision for the future

Luke Theis, Esports director at CMU, believes the new scholarships will enhance the esports program's mission to elevate the student experience. "These scholarships are just the beginning," Theis said. "Our goal is to build a comprehensive gaming and esports ecosystem that supports our students' academic and competitive aspirations. We are committed to providing the resources, coaching, and engagement opportunities necessary for our students to excel both in-game and in life."

Interim Vice President for Student Affairs Stan Shingles says the scholarships will add even more value to the college experience. “Creating scholarships for Esports for CMU students demonstrates CMU’s commitment to the financial support of students and underscores the importance of students co-curricular experiences,” he said.

CMU Vice President for Student Recruitment and Retention, Jennifer DeHaemers, points to the new scholarships as another tool to attract and support students. "I am excited about this opportunity to sponsor scholarships to grow our esports program and support students who represent CMU in competition,” she said. “I think this will help us attract more students to CMU and help us to be even more competitive in the gaming arena."

Joining the CMU esports program

CMU invites prospective students, parents, and gaming enthusiasts to learn more about the program and the exciting opportunities it offers. For more information about the esports scholarships and the program, contact the esports program directly at esports@cmich.edu.