Start up
Build up your venture idea.
Learn more
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.
In Memoriam: Michael Marn
by
User Not Found
A faculty member in the School of Communication, Journalism and Media is remembered for a big personality and a big sense of humor.
Michael Francis Marn, 72, died April 29 in Grand Rapids.
Marn taught for years in the advertising program of the College of the Arts & Media. There, he developed a reputation for teaching a subject he loved with zeal.
“He enjoyed sharing his passion for advertising with his students and they returned his energy,” said colleague Jim Wojcik. “He also established a successful advertising alumni board of former students to help the program stay current with new trends.”
Marn was also known for his quick, infectious wit.
“Mike was one of the most creative people I knew,” Wojcik said. “He also had a quick wit and had the ability to leave people feeling happier after being around him.
His outgoing personality was infectious. We have lost a wonderful person.”
Before coming to CMU, Marn built a career working as an advertising executive and consultant with firms in Chicago and Grand Rapids. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Northwestern University – Chicago.
Outside of work, Marn loved betting pretend winnings on Final Jeopardy, playing golf and listening to NPR and music. John Prine was a particular favorite of his. He also loved all things Cleveland and Northwestern University sports.
He did it all with a larger-than-life sense of humor.
“(Marn) had an unrivaled skill for spreading smiles,” said his online obituary. “If you knew (Marn), you laughed with (Marn).”
He was born Sept. 27, 1951, to Frank and Grace (Calhoun) Marn in Cleveland.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years Suzanne Marn; son, Matthew Francis (Rachel) Marn, son, Kevin (Megan) Marn; three grandchildren, Sage Marn, Noah Marn, Riley Marn; brother, Donald (Patricia) Marn.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Bill Marn, sister, Betty Kortan, sister, Gale Marn; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, David and Virginia Burns.
Visitation is Saturday, May 11, at 6 p.m. at the Pederson Funeral Home in Rockford.
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.
