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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.

      Nominations open for Staff Excellence Awards

      by Eric Baerren

      CMU staff, faculty, students and administrators are invited to nominate outstanding staff for the Staff Excellence Awards Program. Nominations are due by the end of Friday, March 7. 

      Staff who are nominated demonstrate excellence by meeting the highest academic and professional standards and serving people well with compassion, empathy, inclusivity and respect in their interactions. 

      “CMU staff are essential contributors to the university's mission,” said Lori Hella, associate vice president of human resources. “Recognizing their hard work and commitment is vital not only for their personal growth but for the continued success and positive impact of our entire community.” 

      Staff selected will be announced in the spring and recognized in the fall. 

      The Staff Excellence Awards Program, which was launched in 1993, returned last year after a two-year hiatus. Seventeen staff members were recognized last fall for the 2023-24 academic year. 

      Staff who were selected in the past five years will not be chosen for the award but may still be nominated. 

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      Questions?

      Contact the team