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.
Percussion Professor Dr. Marco Schirripa unveils innovative album: Digital Dances
by
Matheus Souza
In a fusion of musical ingenuity, Dr. Marco Schirripa, Assistant Professor of Percussion at the School of Music, unveiled his latest artistic venture on November 1, 2023. The new solo album, titled "Digital Dances," showcases Schirripa's prowess as a composer and performer, featuring captivating compositions tailored for the marimba.
Schirripa's distinctive musical identity is notably shaped by his profound influences from the realms of video game soundscapes and electronic dance music, lending a contemporary and dynamic flavor to the album. "Digital Dances" offers a sonic journey that transcends traditional boundaries, pushing the boundaries of percussion music into unexplored realms.
This groundbreaking album is not a solo endeavor. It features collaborations with exceptional musicians, including violist Mike Capone and members of the Heartland Marimba Quartet—an internationally renowned chamber music ensemble. The collective synergy of these talented performers adds depth and dimension to Schirripa's innovative compositions.
The realization of "Digital Dances" was made possible through a substantial seed grant and an immensely successful crowdfunding campaign, underscoring the enthusiastic support and anticipation surrounding Schirripa's musical venture. The financial backing received attests to the significance and appeal of the project within the music community and beyond.
Listeners can now experience the sonic tapestry of "Digital Dances" on all major streaming platforms, such as Spotify and Apple Music. Additionally, the album is available for download on BandCamp, offering enthusiasts the opportunity to immerse themselves in the soundscapes crafted by Dr. Marco Schirripa.
For those eager to explore further, including links to stream or purchase the album, detailed information can be found on Dr. Schirripa's official website.
"Digital Dances" stands as a testament to Dr. Marco Schirripa's commitment to pushing the boundaries of percussion music, offering a contemporary and immersive experience that resonates with music enthusiasts across diverse genres.
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.
