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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.

      Student designs mural for president's house

      by Eric Baerren
      A woman wearing glasses manipulates a mouse with her right hand while looking at a computer monitor.
      Victoria Knieper works on her designs for a mural requested by CMU President Neil MacKinnon for his residence. Installation of it is expected to take place before the fall semester.

      An art student is hoping that her work will inspire visitors to the Central Michigan University president’s house to think about what CMU means to them.

      Victoria Knieper, a senior graphic design major, is putting the finishing touches on three designs for a mural to decorate the house’s entertaining room.

      Each of Knieper’s designs focuses on her take of what it means to be a CMU student.

      The first design, a bright representation of Voisin Arch, represents the welcoming of students to the CMU community.

      Her second design, in which five unique figures stand in front of bright backsplash of colors, highlights the dedication to “We do.” The figures’ differences represent the rich experiences and opportunities at CMU.

      The final artwork symbolizes the Chippewa River running through Mt. Pleasant and CMU’s campus. Knieper said the plants highlight the beauty of nature surrounding CMU and Mt. Pleasant.

      Knieper reflected her take of CMU’s values in her designs, emphasizing the experiences and connections students build and maintain after graduating.

      “The hands-on activities, opportunities to connect with other students and the chance to build a solid foundation for the future is part of what makes it so special,” Knieper said.

      MacKinnon asked for student artwork for the wall to show off the creativity of CMU students. Knieper was thrilled to work on the project. She said one thing she’s learned at the university is to make the most of opportunities when they present themselves.

      Knieper is working with Jonathon Russell, associate dean of the College of Arts and the Media. They expect to finalize details about the mural by the end of the semester with installation expected over the summer.

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