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.

Learn more

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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CMU Libraries Promotes Empathy, Acceptance, and Appreciation During Autism and Neurodiversity Acceptance Month

by Lisa Wilczak

In honor of Autism & Neurodiversity Acceptance Month, the CMU Libraries are proud to announce a special book collection (online and on display) along with other activities such as, therapy Dogs in the Park on 4/18 at 5 p.m., locating the right study space for you, and Ask a Librarian services in person, on the phone, or in writing.

Throughout April, the library will showcase a selection of literature encompassing various neurodivergent identities, including autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and more. The collection can be found online at library.cmich.edu/neurodiversity or on display near the checkout desk. Consisting of a broad array of memoirs, fiction, and scholarly works, the collection offers a rich tapestry of perspectives, shedding light on the unique strengths and talents of neurodivergent individuals.

"We're thrilled to provide this special collection and activities in recognition of Autism and Neurodiversity Acceptance Month," said Lee Parker, Instruction and Outreach Librarian at CMU Libraries. "Our goal is to create an inclusive space where everyone feels represented and understood. Through literature, we can promote empathy, acceptance, and appreciation for neurodiversity.”

Dogs in the Park will take place on Monday, April 15^th from 5 – 7 p.m. on the 2^nd floor of the University Library. Besides providing doggy cuddle time, numerous observations have shown that Autistic individuals can develop a greater capacity to interpret social cues if they also have relationships with animals. (Grandin et. al, 2019; Carlisle et al., 2018) At Dogs in the Park, we have witnessed animals helping many students to smile and relax, even during exam week.

This is also a good time for our community to find their favorite library study space by exploring the library aided by our guide to study spaces at Park Library Study Spaces. If you are looking for a group study space or an individual study pod that is quiet, dark, loud, or bright, the library has a space for you. We also have a variety of furniture, tools, and technology available for many study needs.

Ask a Librarian is here to help students save time and find the right resources to succeed. This month we challenge our students to communicate their need for assistance in a way they feel most comfortable. Get help finding what you need by talking with a librarian in person, on the phone, or in writing with the library’s Ask a Librarian services.

CMU Libraries look forward to celebrating Autism and Neurodiversity Acceptance Month with our entire community. Enjoy the month and remember, we are here to help!

Grandin, T., Fine, A.H., O’Haire, M.E., Carlisle, G., Gabriels, R. (2019). The Role of Animals for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, In Fine, A.H. (Ed.) Handbook on animal-assisted therapy : Foundations and guidelines for animal-assisted interventions (5th ed. pp. 285-298). Elsevier Science & Technology.