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.

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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Emeritus faculty member joins Broadcasting Hall of Fame

by Sanjay Gupta

The Michigan Association of Broadcasters has inducted CMU emeritus faculty member William “Rick” Sykes into the Michigan Broadcasting Hall of Fame and presented him with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Michigan Association of Broadcasters has inducted Central Michigan University emeritus faculty member William "Rick" Sykes into the Michigan Broadcasting Hall of Fame and presented him with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

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MAB presented its 2020 awards this month in partnership with Patrick Communications.

Born in Saginaw, Michigan, Sykes earned undergraduate and graduate degrees at CMU before starting his broadcasting career in 1973 at WNEM-TV in Saginaw. He moved to WDIV-TV in Detroit in 1982 and to a regional public relations firm in Detroit in 1990.

In 1996, Sykes joined what is now CMU's School of Broadcast and Cinematic Arts. He taught news and sports-related courses for 24 years and oversaw the student-produced News Central 34 during its 17-year streak as the MAB Foundation's station of the year. He also has been a member and chairman of the MAB Foundation board of directors.

In 2010, Sykes earned CMU's Excellence in Teaching Award.

"We are very proud of Rick and his many contributions to our college, CMU and the broadcasting field," said Elizabeth Kirby, interim dean of the College of the Arts and Media. Sykes is credited with helping scores of future broadcasters get their start.

Established in 2001, the Michigan Broadcasting Hall of Fame recognizes broadcasters for leadership, achievements and contributions to their local communities. Hall of Fame inductees are chosen based on distinguished professional careers in Michigan broadcasting.