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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.
Fueling connections through food and fun
by
Kathleen Hodgkins
Mt. Pleasant, MI – On Monday, February 17, students from Central Michigan University’s Nutrition and Dietetics program participated in a special event at Finch Fieldhouse gym, working alongside Connections That Count (CTC)—a program dedicated to fostering inclusion and social engagement for youth with disabilities.
As part of the evening’s activities, CMU students enrolled in the NDS 481 Community Nutrition: Field Work course teamed up to prepare nutritious meals, including fettuccine alfredo and pasta marinara, for local youth and their families. The event was a unique opportunity to combine culinary skills with community outreach, all while promoting healthy eating habits in a supportive, inclusive environment.
CTC provides a welcoming space where youth with disabilities and their families come together to engage in a variety of activities such as arts and crafts, exercise, and meal preparation. By working alongside CMU student leaders, the youth not only develop valuable social skills but also build friendships, gain confidence, and experience a sense of belonging. At the same time, the CMU students gain hands-on experience working with diverse groups, broadening their understanding of community nutrition and support for individuals with disabilities.
“Hands-on meal preparation is a great way to engage youth in a fun and educational way,” said Dietetics student Erika Cheney. “It empowers them to learn practical skills, interact with their peers, and discover the joy of healthy cooking, all while building confidence and social connections.”
Connections That Count is just one of the many initiatives that CMU’s Nutrition and Dietetics students are involved in as part of their coursework and commitment to making a positive impact on the community.
For more information about CMU’s Nutrition and Dietetics program and course offerings, contact Program Director Dr. Najat Yahia at yahia1n@cmich.edu. For details about the nutrition minor and related courses, contact Dr. Jeff Fisher at fishe2jj@cmich.edu.
Signature Programs
Isabella Bank Institute for Entrepreneurship
Explore special opportunities to learn new skills and travel the world.
Compete & Win
New Venture Challenge 2025
Present your venture and win BIG at the New Venture Challenge.
Build your skills
Workshops and events
Boost your entrepreneurial skills through our workshops, mentor meetups and pitch competitions.
Develop your ideas
IDEA Den
Learn about the entrepreneurship makerspace on campus in Grawn Hall.
Ready, Set, Pitch!
Make-A-Pitch 2024
Present a 2-minute pitch at the Make-A-Pitch Competition and you could win prizes and bragging rights!
Meet Mentors
Mentorship and support
Connect with mentors and faculty who are here to support the next generation of CMU entrepreneurs.
Support students
Make an impact
Are you a CMU alum looking to support CMU student entrepreneurs? Learn how you can support or donate to the Entrepreneurship Institute.
View our programming newsletter
Alumni give back to students through mentorship, real-world experiences
The Wakeling Gendron Entrepreneurial Scholars program wrapped its first cohort this academic year.
Students compete to win cash prizes at the New Venture Challenge
Pitched 40 ventures at NMV Challenge, Friday, April 19, CMU. Judges awarded $100,000 in cash prizes.
Wakeling Gendron Scholars make a life-changing trip to Texas
Wakeling and Gendron Scholars attended SXSW in Texas, meeting industry leaders and gaining entrepreneurial insights.
Business barriers lead CMU students to a new venture
Justin Ashman and Philip Mundt won Central Michigan University's New Venture Competition with their 3-D printing operation, Form Further.
