Program Overview

New Venture Challenge

The New Venture Challenge (NVC) is a competition and celebration of entrepreneurship and innovation at Central Michigan University (CMU). It provides an inclusive and inspiring experience for all CMU students interested in innovation and entrepreneurship.

Program Overview

Through NVC, students can develop start-up skills, connect with mentors and experts, pitch their ideas, and compete for funding and recognition. The program offers a series of workshops, mentor meetups, and networking events designed to strengthen entrepreneurial mindset and set students up for success.

Program Structure

The NVC program consists of several stages:

• Learn: Students come up with an idea or work on an existing idea during the NVC Kick-off event, join mentor meetups, and discover ideation, customer validation, and other start-up skills during workshops.
• Connect: Students meet and match with peers who possess different skills to build their venture team, are paired with an NVC mentor, and build key relationships with student entrepreneurs, advisors, and investors.
• Compete: Students register for the competition, complete their submission, prepare their pitch, and present live at the event.
• Win: Finalists can win up to $10,000 in grants and prizes, with the NVC having awarded over $100,000 in total prizes.
• Launch: Students utilize the skills learned and connections made to launch their business.

Competitor Support

The Isabella Bank Institute for Entrepreneurship provides various resources to support competitors, including:

• Mentor Meetups
• Competitor guides
• Graphic design services
• Prototyping and product design support
• One-on-one mentoring
• Faculty support
• Open workspaces

Event Details

The next NVC event will be held on Friday, March 27, 2026, from 47 PM in Grawn Hall, with finalist pitches running from 4:305:30 PM, followed by a strolling dinner and awards at 6:30 PM.

Past Events

Previous NVC events have recognized alumni and supporters of the program, introduced new special awards and competition categories, and showcased competing teams in High Growth, Main Street, and Social Mission categories.

Resources

Additional resources are available to support the development of ventures, including the Student Venture Fund and competitor resources. Students can also attend free Mentor Meetups and NVC 101 workshops to prepare for the competition.