Isabella Bank Institute for Entrepreneurship

Central Michigan University students shared creative ideas and refined their business pitching skills at the annual Make-a-Pitch Competition, hosted by the Isabella Bank Institute for Entrepreneurship on Nov. 21 in Park Library.

The competition, open to students from all majors, challenged 55 participants to deliver concise two-minute pitches to judges and peers, fostering innovation and encouraging an entrepreneurial mindset.

Celebrating the 2024 winners

A total of 39 teams and individuals competed across the Traditional Elevator Pitch and Passion Project categories. Each participant presented a two-minute pitch addressing a need or problem, aiming to engage the panel and audience while demonstrating a well-thought-out solution.

This year’s winners:

• Top Elevator Pitch ($1,200): Masaki Hara, a biology graduate from Minami, Tokushima, Japan, proposed transforming invasive zebra mussels into valuable organic products to protect Michigan’s shorelines.
• 2nd place Elevator Pitch ($800): Carley Dreyer, a sophomore animation major from Cedar Springs, Mich., pitched a digital platform to preserve access to lost shows and movies unavailable on mainstream streaming services.
• 3rd place Elevator Pitch ($500): Alexa Weber, a sophomore majoring in entrepreneurship, psychology, and management from Portland, Mich., proposed interactive mental health and motivational workshops for students, athletes and communities.
• Top Passion Project ($500): Jade Walleman, a business administration major, presented inclusive products like HandyMap for accessible indoor navigation to advance disability advocacy.
• Judges’ Choice ($300) and Audience Choice ($200): Judith Saungweme, an MBA graduate student from Harare, Zimbabwe, introduced reusable sanitary pads for girls in rural Zimbabwe to improve menstrual health and education access.
• Rising Star Award ($300): Dalan Haines, a communications major, created a pitch to gamify productivity by turning everyday tasks into rewarding mobile challenges.

“I am so proud of the team, partners, and participants that have contributed to the growth and impact of Make-A-Pitch as a multi-disciplinary opportunity,” said Julie Messing, director of the Isabella Bank Institute for Entrepreneurship. “Park Library is a sandbox for creativity, and the IBIE team and our Wakeling-Gendron Entrepreneur Scholars contributed to the success of the event.”

The Wakeling-Gendron Entrepreneur Scholars hosted a first improv-style competition, networking bingo and helped students make their own business cards.

“Everyone came together so well to offer a high-impact opportunity for many students,” Messing said.

Developing skills that last a lifetime

Make-a-Pitch is about more than winning prizes—it’s an opportunity to practice problem-solving, communication and creative thinking.

"It takes a lot of bravery to walk into a room with strangers, share an idea you're passionate about and open yourself up to constructive feedback,” said IBIE program and event manager Kaye Reimers. “We are lucky to meet students who want to solve problems and improve the future. Make-A-Pitch gives those with bright ideas the skill of communicating their ideas to a wider audience.” 

“This event is for all students, and you do not need to have previous experience,” said Hara. “Mentors and students at the Institute for Entrepreneurship help you to develop your business idea and give you a lot of positive feedback.”

Hara said pre-event resources were critical in helping him shape his pitch.

“I first shared my business ideas with mentors and other students in workshops followed by developing my business idea with mentors. I then clarified current problems, found solutions, and identified positive impacts on my customers. Then, I got feedback from mentors and improved my pitch.”

Weber said the experience enhanced her communication skills.

“I feel like the skills that I developed during this competition will help me inside of the classroom and in my future career,” she said. “It taught me how to prepare and execute my vision for my future business. It gave me communication and presenting skills that I will use in my future academically and in the business world.”

An ecosystem for entrepreneurial support

The Isabella Bank Institute for Entrepreneurship offers workshops, mentorship and resources to help students transform ideas into action. Programs like Make-a-Pitch provide valuable feedback and real-world problem-solving experiences.

“The first step to innovation is finding a solution to a problem - but you also need to get others to care,” Reimers said. “You need others to believe in your mission and to invest in your solutions. Make-A-Pitch represents that next step for student innovators and builds their confidence in an immeasurable way.”

Reimers said that volunteer mentors and judges significantly contribute to the success of Make-A-Pitch.

“They are alumni who are passionate about helping students and provide great encouragement and thoughtful feedback,” she said. “We are so thankful for their support; they give students a valuable outside perspective that you cannot find in a classroom.”  

Looking ahead: The New Venture Challenge

For students inspired by Make-a-Pitch, IBIE’s New Venture Challenge offers the next step in the spring semester. NVC allows participants to develop their ideas further with workshops, mentorship, and a structured pitch competition with cash awards of up to $20,000.

Registration opens on Jan. 13, 2025, for the April 11, 2025, competition. For more information, contact program and event manager Kaye Reimers at reime1k@cmich.edu.