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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.

      CMU Partners with the City of Detroit to offer education discount

      by Jaime Griffis

      Central Michigan University (CMU) is proud to announce a new partnership with the City of Detroit, bringing expanded educational opportunities to more than 9,000 employees, their spouses, and dependents. This collaboration provides a 15% tuition discount on CMU’s online programs, making it easier than ever for City of Detroit employees and their families to achieve their academic and professional goals.

      Through this partnership, full-time and part-time employees, their spouses, and dependents under age 24 can take advantage of CMU’s flexible, high-quality online degree programs at a reduced cost. Whether they’re looking to advance their careers, gain new skills, or complete a degree, CMU’s robust offerings provide the support and convenience needed to succeed.

      "At CMU, we believe that education should be accessible and attainable for working professionals and their families," said Rob VanDorin, Executive Director of Business and Community Outreach at CMU. "By partnering with the City of Detroit, we’re making it easier for employees to upskill, reskill, and advance their careers while balancing work and life responsibilities."

      The discount applies to CMU’s online programs, with some exclusions, including main campus programs and closed cohort programs.

      This initiative underscores CMU’s commitment to expanding access to affordable, high-quality education while supporting the continued success of City of Detroit employees and their families.

      For more information on eligible programs and how to apply, visit online.cmich.edu/CityofDetroit. 

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      Questions?

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