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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.

      Mark Francek named CMU Honors Professor of the Year

      by Robert Wang

      Dr. Mark Francek has been named one of Central Michigan University’s Honors Program Faculty of the Year, an annual recognition awarded to two faculty members for their dedication to Honors students.

      The award is based on student feedback, support of Honors students, and participation in Honors activities. Francek’s contributions to the program have been far-reaching, from teaching courses on Beaver Island to mentoring students through the Honors Mentor Mixer and guiding personal development plans for HON 100. His influence extends beyond the classroom, inspiring students to engage in community service.

      Man in a classroom setting leans over a table with two aluminum cans, appearing engaged in a demonstration or experiment. The background features a presentation screen displaying a graph and text, along with acoustic panels on the walls.

      Honors students have praised Francek’s teaching and mentorship, with one student sharing, “Mark truly, truly believes in all of us and our future aspirations. He inspires us to keep pursuing our life goals and has immense pride in his students’ work.” Another student highlighted his thought-provoking approach, stating, “He uses lots of class time to stir our thinking and to get us questioning our world and things we may have thought we knew.”

      The CMU Honors Program recognizes outstanding faculty members each year, and this award serves as a testament to Francek’s dedication and impact.

      Congratulations to Dr. Mark Francek on this well-deserved honor!

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      Questions?

      Contact the team