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.

Learn more

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.

Learn more

Medical experts take the stage in Saginaw

by Sanjna Jassi

CMU’s College of Medicine is partnering with the Temple Theatre in Saginaw to present a free community Mini Medical School.

Mid-Michigan residents who want to learn more about important medical issues have a new opportunity.

Central Michigan University's College of Medicine is partnering with the historic Temple Theatre in Saginaw, Michigan, to present a free community education series: the CMU College of Medicine Mini Medical School, presented by Health Advantage Credit Union

At six sessions from April through September 2020, community members will learn from CMU-affiliated medical experts on relevant health topics. Program participants can connect with health care providers and resources at the events. Several sessions will include health screening opportunities.

"The CMU College of Medicine is a committed partner in the community and a leading voice for education not only to current and future health care providers, but to all the citizens of our region," said Dr. Judy Blebea, College of Medicine associate dean, faculty affairs and development.

Larry Preston, CEO and chairman of the Temple Theatre Foundation Board, said the partnership with CMU is a perfect example of one way the theater, 201 N. Washington Ave., can play a role in improving regional health.

"The Temple Theatre is focused on bringing meaningful educational programming to our community," he said.

The credit union is sponsoring the Mini Medical School program with support from WSGW 790 AM and 100.5 FM.

"Knowledge is truly a powerful tool when it comes to healthcare, and we are proud to partner with such well-respected professionals to bring these topics to our community," said Laura Crase, president and CEO of Health Advantage.

Each 6:30-8 p.m. session will include a hands-on activity to support learning. Space is limited; preregister on the Temple Theatre website or call 989-754-7469 for information. Here's the schedule:

April 23 "Diabeted: The Real vs. Fake News," with CMU's Dr. Sethu Reddy, professor of internal medicine.
April 30 An expert panel discussion will follow a screening of the documentary "Paper Tigers," about a trauma-sensitive high school program.
May 28 "Trauma-Informed Care: Addressing Adverse Childhood Experiences," with Dr. Alison Arnold, director of CMU's Interdisciplinary Center for Community Health and Wellness and master adverse childhood experiences trainer.
June 25 "Surgical Management of Stroke," with Dr. Joseph Adel of Ascension Medical Group.
July 23 "Obesity: Causes, Complications and Care Options," with Dr. Amandeep Dhaliwal, family medicine physician, and Dr. Chad Ringley, general and bariatric surgeon at Covenant HealthCare.
Aug. 27 "Stop the Bleed Program: The Life You Save May Be Your Own," with Dr. Robert Sasso, CMU Health director of medical simulation, and Michele Mora, registered nurse.
Sept. 24 "Healthy Legs: Understanding Peripheral Arterial and Venous Disease," with Dr. John Blebea, professor of surgery, CMU College of Medicine.