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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Explore research and adventure with the CMUBS Summer Research Fellows Program

by Robert Wang

Looking for an unforgettable summer experience that blends hands-on research with real-world impact? The CMU Biological Station (CMUBS) Summer Research Fellows Program might be just what you’re looking for. Running from May 27 to August 8, 2025, this unique program takes place at Central Michigan University’s Biological Station (CMUBS) on Beaver Island, offering students the chance to dive into meaningful scientific exploration while connecting with the local community.

As a Summer Research Fellow, you won’t just be reading about research—you’ll be doing it. From designing experiments and collecting data to analyzing results and presenting findings, students get to experience the full research process firsthand. And the best part? You’ll have the chance to share your work with the Beaver Island community through outreach events, making science accessible beyond the lab.

If you’re thinking about graduate school or a career in STEM, this program is a fantastic way to gain practical experience. It’s open to all undergraduate students, with a special emphasis on those studying Biology, Environmental Studies, or Environmental Sciences.

Selected students will receive:

Full room and board at CMUBS for 11 weeks
Travel covered to and from Beaver Island
A $6,000 stipend

With housing, meals, and travel expenses taken care of, you’ll be free to focus on your research while immersing yourself in a dynamic, supportive scientific community.

This program isn’t just about building research skills—it’s about making a difference. Each summer, CMUBS becomes home to a diverse group of students and faculty working on projects that help advance research on the Great Lakes ecosystem. By participating, you’ll not only gain valuable hands-on experience but also contribute to work that has lasting environmental and scientific significance.

Plus, you’ll be living on Beaver Island, a stunning location that’s perfect for field research—and a little summer adventure.

If this sounds like the perfect summer opportunity, don’t wait! Apply by Friday, March 7, 2025, at this link.

Spots are limited, so if you’re ready to spend your summer doing real research in an incredible setting, this is your chance!