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IDEA Bank

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.

IDEA Bank Services

 

IDEA Bank Community Membership Program

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!
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Private Incubator Office Space Membership

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. Ready to grow? Apply now to take the first step in securing your space today!


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The Idea Vault Podcast 

The Idea Vault Podcast explores paths to unlocking your ideas and helping you reach your full potential, all from the inside of an iconic bank vault in Downtown Troy, Alabama. Listeners can expect to hear stories of both success and failure as they gain tips for unlocking new ideas, pursuing entrepreneurship, and paving their own path. Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Audible, and Podbean.

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Student-Made TROY

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.

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Student Launchpad application

Student Launchpad

Are you a TROY student with a great idea, but not sure where to start? We are here to help! Click the LAUNCH button below to schedule your introductory meeting with the director of the IDEA Bank and start making your ideas come to life. 

Launch

Book Your Tour

Discover how the Troy University IDEA Bank is fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and community impact. Located in Downtown Troy, a tour of the IDEA Bank showcases our collaborative spaces, while giving you insight into our entrepreneurial programs and offering a chance to connect with staff and see ongoing projects in action. Book your tour and visit us soon!

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The idea bank building from across a street

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Daniel Collaboration Room

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. 



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PowerSouth Conference Room

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.

*Available for instant booking by students, faculty, staff, and members using a TROY email or member ID.

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The Vault Podcast Studio

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.

*Available for instant booking by students, faculty, staff, and members using a TROY email or member ID.vaultbookbutton

Spark Room

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. 

*Available for instant booking by students, faculty, staff, and members using a TROY email or member ID. Not equipped with any built-in technology.



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Featured Student Stories

2024 Business Idea Competition Winners

2024 Business Idea Competition

Troy University students recently competed in the Regions Foundation Business Idea Competition, hosted by the IDEA Bank and Sorrell 360 Center. Vamsi Jupudi, a computer science major, won first place and $2,000 for BrightLyf, an AI-powered mental health platform for college students. Kameryn Mitchell, TROY student and owner of Details for Dayz, won second place and $1,500 to grow and expand his power washing business. Jamarion Willie-Hughes secured third place and $1,000 for his business, A Baller From the Ville, a clothing and apparel brand-turned movement.

As part of the TROY Starters Idea Accelerator programs powered by Regions Foundation, the competition aims to equip students with tools to refine business plans and pitches, encouraging innovative solutions and community impact.

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2024 Marketing Competition Winners
Team members of Studio207

Four Troy University Students and Graphic Design majors—Nathan Hobbs, Reanna Thompson, Jared Hester, and Howard Purvee—have launched Studio 207, a multimedia design company based in Troy, applying their classroom knowledge to real-world use. Their company has quickly achieved success, winning the IDEA Bank's Marketing Competition and receiving a $2,000 advertising bundle, while also securing a major contract with Troy Regional Medical Center. They continue to benefit from IDEA Bank support as they manage their business operations and focus on their creative work.

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2024 JUST START High School Entrepreneurship Summer Camp Winner
High School competition winners from 2024

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.

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2023 Business Idea Competition Winner
Winners of the 2023 Business Pitch Competition

Troy University's IDEA Bank and the Sorrell 360 Center held the 2023 Business Pitch Competition, where four Sorrell College of Business students competed for a $1,000 prize. The students underwent an eight-week training program focused on digital tools, opportunity capitalization, and pitching skills. After eight weeks of training, the program culminated in a pitch competition. Alden Barentine, a junior accounting major, won with his pitch for 12:5 Coffee, a mobile coffee business. Barentine recently reported that he was able to use his earnings to purchase a home coffee roaster to "learn the ins and outs of roasting, and gain some valuable experience before going commercial." 

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Watts Happening at the Idea Bank?wattshappening

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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.  


 

IDEA Bank Guiding Principles

Inspiration

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.

Learning

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.

Exploration

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.

Application

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.



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