The mission of the IDEA (Innovation, Design, Entrepreneurship Accelerator) Bank is to cultivate a vibrant ecosystem of innovation and entrepreneurship. Located in Downtown Troy, we are dedicated to providing aspiring business visionaries with resources, mentorship, and collaborative opportunities to transform their ideas into successful, sustainable enterprises. By fostering creativity, knowledge exchange, and a supportive community, we create an empowering hub of entrepreneurial resources.
Win up to $10,000 to bring your idea to life!
The competition is open to adults who live, work, or attend school in Pike County and ideas at any stage are eligible for submission. The deadline to apply is March 20, so use the link below to submit your application!
Plus, don't miss the Idea Empowerment Workshop Series, which features workshops designed to help you not only with the application process, but with the general development and execution of your ideas. Visit the Idea Empowerment Website for past workshop recordings and the upcoming schedule.
TROY Starters - accelerated programs powered by Regions & Sponsored by the Pike County Chamber of Commerce
Ideal for rising student entrepreneurs with growing businesses with limited resources. This FREE Student Membership includes workspace booking, technology, high-speed internet, printing & copying, photo, audio, & video equipment, private conference space, business mailing address, networking, education, support and MORE!
Are you a TROY student with a great idea, but not sure where to start? We are here to help! click the Student Launchpad link above to schedule your introductory meeting with the director of the IDEA Bank and start making your ideas come to life.
TROY's first-ever Student-Made Store is now open at the IDEA Bank and online! The store is home to TROY student creators, artists, boutique owners, designers, and more while providing a unique outlet to sell products both online and in a brick-and-mortar storefront. The Store is the first of its kind in the nation while being student-run, aligning with the IDEA Bank's mission to support student entrepreneurs.
Ideal for rising entrepreneurs, students, remote workers, businesses with an expanding team, and businesses with limited resources. Membership includes workspace, technology, high-speed internet, printing & copying, photo, audio, & video equipment, private conference space, business mailing address, networking, education, support and MORE!
Elevate your business with a private, lockable, furnished office, 24/7 access, and your logo displayed on the door. As a tenant, gain perks to all IDEA Bank Membership benefits, from coworking spaces to a dynamic entrepreneurial community. The Incubator Membership is currently at capacity. Email ideabank@troy.edu to join the waitlist.
The IDEA Bank offers a wide variety of business-focused events and workshops that are open to students, faculty, staff and members of the community. Check out our calendar above to see what's coming up next.
The Daniel Collaboration Room, named in recognition of The Daniel Foundation's support
of the IDEA Bank, is an open collaborative work and teaching space located on the
main floor of the IDEA Bank. While the room serves as an open coworking space for
students, faculty, staff, and members, it is also available for private functions
upon request.
The PowerSouth Conference Room, located on the main floor of the IDEA Bank, is a private
space that comfortably seats up to 12 people around a large conference table. The
room features a full computer, mounted touchscreen, and advanced audio/video technology.
We transformed the iconic bank vault into a modern podcast studio with state-of-the-art
equipment. The new Vault Podcast Studio serves as an exclusive resource for TROY students,
faculty, staff, and members interested in launching their own podcast or recording
professional audio.
Perfect for those smaller, private meetings when you need to spark some ideas behind closed doors. This cozy space is bookable for solo focus, client meetings, or small team brainstorms.

Troy University's IDEA Bank has been named Pike County Chamber of Commerce's 2025 Business of the Year.
Winning the Chamber of Commerce's award for Business of the Year was particularly
meaningful because it's an award that's voted on by the Pike County business community,”
said IDEA Bank Director Lynne George. “The recognition is validation of our mission
to collaborate, support, and innovate. It means what we are doing is making a difference,
and that is not only a huge honor, but it is also a motivator to keep growing our
programs.”

The largest prize pot in the Business IDEA Competition's history provided $8,000 in seed funding for student-pitched entrepreneurial concepts, thanks to a partnership with MAX Credit Union. Coming in first place was Wesley Tilghman, a sophomore accounting major, for his pitch for “Trojan Tailgate,” earning $4,000 in seed money for the concept.Tilghman's business concept centers around providing an all-inclusive tailgating service that would provide a turnkey, walk up tailgate set up to the client's specifications. Tent set-up, chairs, coolers, ice, drinks and premium packages including televisions and food catering.

Troy University graduate Gabby Jent, of Jasper, loves telling the stories of life and providing a key to special memories.The owner of Gabby J Photography is the winner of this year's IDEA Bank Annual Marketing Competition. She launched her business in 2023 and will graduate this week with an interdisciplinary studies degree minoring in entrepreneurship, photography and marketing. Those skills were put on display during the Marketing Competition, where participants were asked to set up a business display that included informational documents and post a reel to Instagram.

Diarra King, a standout Russell County High School student, won a $2,000 Troy University
scholarship during the IDEA Bank's JUST START High School Entrepreneurship Summer
Camp for her innovative idea, Phazers Shoe Company. King, a two-time participant of
the camp, returned to refine her concept, impressed judges with her pitch for a shoe
brand featuring interchangeable patches for different phases of life. The camp, sponsored
by the Wiregrass RC&D Council and the Regions Foundation, provided high school students
with entrepreneurial training, mentorship, and hands-on workshops. King now has a
prototype, business plan, and a pitch, marking a significant step toward making Phazers
a reality.
2024 JUST START High School Entrepreneurship Summer Camp Winner - Read More

Whether you are a current TROY student, alumni, business leader or member of the community who is simply curious to learn more, we have a place for you at the IDEA Bank. Enter your email below to receive email alerts about IDEA Bank activities, events and updates.
Entrepreneurs must possess unique willpower and a can-do attitude to succeed. Entrepreneurial
ventures are risky and there is no one-size-fits-all approach, but an idea will remain
an idea if the person behind it does not have the confidence and willingness to jump
right in. At the IDEA Bank, we will instill pride in being different, cultivate a
spirit of risk-taking, and encourage disruption. We encourage students to lean into
their ideas and believe in themselves.
Sorrell College offers both an Entrepreneurship Minor and Major concentration with
the frameworks, courses, and theories to ensure students are grounded in both fundamental
and innovative principles needed to move forward. While there is no “one-size-fits-all”
approach, the IDEA Bank empowers a curriculum that supplies students with the foundation
needed to perfect their craft.
The learning does not stop with the academic curriculum. Special workshops, niche
brainstorming sessions, mentorship-matching, guest speakers, community collaboration,
and real-life projects are crucial aspects of the IDEA Bank's operation that allow
young entrepreneurs to explore the opportunities associated with their ideas.
The goal for all student entrepreneurs is to launch their ideas. The IDEA Bank prioritizes hands-on collaboration with faculty, staff, community members, alumni, and more, to provide the support system that students need to apply their inspiration, learning, and exploration to the full development and application of their ideas.