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