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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.

      President Davies named to Children’s Foundation Board

      by Sanjna Jassi
      The Children’s Foundation, a Michigan-based nonprofit organization, this week announced the appointment of Central Michigan University President Bob Davies to its board of trustees.

      ​The Children's Foundation, a Michigan-based nonprofit organization, this week announced the appointment of Central Michigan University President Bob Davies to its board of trustees.

      The Children's Foundation supports research and innovation in children's health and wellness. The organization's current focus areas include mental health, nutritional wellness, abuse and neglect, oncology and cardiac research, and injury prevention.

      Davies said there is strong mission alignment between The Children's Foundation and the university, especially CMU's College of Medicine.

      "We have a shared goal to increase access to quality health care in Michigan and to improve health outcomes for patients and their families. It is an honor to continue this vital work as a member of the foundation's board of trustees," Davies said.

      Davies will serve a two-year term beginning in August and will work alongside CMU alum Larry Burns, president and CEO of The Children's Foundation.

      "President Davies is an outstanding leader and committed to helping children and young adults achieve their goals for a fulfilling and healthy lifestyle. His involvement will also give us a wonderful presence not only at CMU but also the surrounding mid-Michigan area" Burns said.

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