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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.

      The week in photos: April 7-13

      by Aaron Mills

      Some of the top photos from Central Michigan University events and activities during the week of April 7-13 as captured by University Communications

      A low, wide-angle shot down a hallway as students stand next to easels with poster boards on display.
      The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow College of Health Professions hosts its 8th annual research symposium.
      Two people embrace.
      The 2024-2025 Retirement Ceremony honored more than 60 CMU faculty and staff.
      Four students sit at a small round table smiling for the camera.
      Students pose for a picture inside the MASS office.
      A woman wearing glasses and a yellow long-sleeve shirt sits at a table playing a board game.
      The Department of History, World Languages and Cultures hosts international game night where they played games in French, German and Japanese.
      A drag queen wearing a blonde wig and sparkly dress.
      Program Board hosts drag queen Plenty O’ Cookies where she joined students in decorating cookies.
      A student actor stands on stage with the spotlight pointing at her.
      'A Wrinkle in Time' is directed by CMU alumnus Kayleigh Casavant.

      Questions?