IDEA Bank | Troy University

Idea Bank

IDEA Bank MISSION

The mission of the IDEA (Innovation, Design, Entrepreneurship Accelerator) Bank is to develop Troy University and Troy, Alabama into a regional center for economic growth by creating entrepreneurial resources and collaboration opportunities for our community of students, faculty, staff, alumni, local businesses, and leaders. The IDEA Bank aims to support student-centric entrepreneurship and new ventures in the southeast Alabama region by providing students with the knowledge, resources, and support system to launch their ideas locally

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

TROY 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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IDEA Bank Services

 
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Student Launchpad Program

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
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Book the IDEA Bank

Is the IDEA Bank the right place for your next class, meeting, workshop, or brainstorming session? Utilize the request form below to book your next meeting or event at the IDEA Bank. If you are a University student or faculty/staff, you can reserve your room instantly! For additional information or questions, please email ideabank@troy.edu or call 334-808-6794.

REQUEST TO BOOK THE IDEA BANK

TROY STUDENTS, FACULTY, STAFF: RESERVE YOUR ROOM INSTANTLY
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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 a resource for TROY students, faculty, and staff interested in launching their own podcast or recording professional audio. 

BOOK YOUR SESSION

The Idea Vault Podcast Show

Tune into the Idea Vault Podcast for entrepreneur & creator interviews, brainstorming, inspiration, resources, and tips for unlocking your ideas! Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Audible, and Podbean.

Visit our website, our centralized podcast hub, to learn more about the two-fold operation!

LEARN MORE & LISTEN NOW

Name, Image, & Likeness: Support for Student-Athletes

Designed with student athletes in mind, the IDEA Bank has partnered with Troy Athletics to implement NIL-focused resources for student-athletes who are leaning into their entrepreneurial spirit. The IDEA Bank supports personal brand building and channeling your inner entrepreneurial spirit to monetize your name, image and likeness. Troy University Student-Athletes have the opportunity to take advantage of our branding and compliance consulting program by completing the readily-available NIL Certification Course on Canvas. After completion of the course, student-athletes have the opportunity to partake in further consulting with a knowledgeable NIL advisor here at the IDEA Bank.

NIL Certificate Program

The NIL Certificate Program is designed to provide practical resources and education that Troy University student-athletes can apply to their own NIL growth strategies. The course is 100% self-paced. It will take approximately 3-4 hours to complete, but students do not have to complete it all in one sitting. Upon completion of the Canvas course, students will be prompted to book a one-on-one NIL consultation at the Troy University IDEA Bank, where they will receive a certificate of completion and receive a personalized plan for NIL monetization, among other benefits. 

This program consists of 4 Modules:

  1. Personal Branding & Social Media
  2. Financial Literacy & Tax Implications
  3. NCAA Compliance
  4. Getting Started

All current student-athletes have received an invitation to the Student-Athlete NIL Program in Canvas. If you are a student-athlete and have not received an invitation to the course, please email Lynne George at lfirmin@troy.edu to request access.

NIL Advising

Have a specific question about NIL rules or a deal that you are pursuing? Book a meeting with one of our NIL advisors for additional guidance

Book Your NIL Advising Appointment Here

 

WHAT'S HAPPENING AT THE IDEA BANK?

Upcoming Events

Stay in Our Circle

Join the Email List

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.

 


2023-24 Student Entrepreneurs in Residence

These students were chosen through an application process to be officially sponsored by the Troy University IDEA Bank. You can find their office space inside of the IDEA Bank. If you are interested in applying for the Student Entrepreneur in Residence program, click here.

Jaxon Lane Boutique

Jaxon Lane Boutique by Jessica Roberts

Women's apparel and accessories with a goal to empower women to feel their best in the clothes they wear at an affordable price.

FOLLOW JAXON LANE BOUTIQUE ON INSTAGRAM
Catelyn Blackmon

Dreams Agency by Catelyn Blackmon

A branding agency specializing in creating unique and captivating brand identities for businesses.

DREAMS AGENCY WEBSITE
TG Sweet Treats

TG Sweet Treats by Gary Chavis

Artisanal popsicles made from high-quality, natural ingredients, featuring unique and innovative flavor combinations to tantalize the taste buds

Check back soon for the TG Sweet Treats website!

 


Recent Highlights

Students

2023 Spring Market & Student Business Showcase

To kick off spring fever, the IDEA Bank welcomed the community to a market featuring more than 20 student-owned businesses.  Students were able to sell their products and promote their businesses to IDEA Bank visitors. It was a widely successful night with over 150 visitors!

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Crowd outside IDEA Bank

2023 Ideation X Gallery Reception

The “IDEAtion X Gallery” is a result of a collaboration between the IDEA Bank and the Department of Art and Design and is the brainchild of Associate Professor of Art and Design Christopher Stagl. A competition to teach students to create functional and business-worthy designs for professional settings resulted in 17 of 100 submissions being selected for display at Troy University’s IDEA Bank.

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Patrick George Presentation

2022 Nonprofit Summits

The IDEA Bank partnered with the Central Alabama Community Foundation to launch a new biannual event for nonprofit organizations. We hosted both a spring and fall Nonprofit Summit in 2022, offering sessions on various topics like communicating with donors, building a board of directors, and more, while giving local and regional nonprofit managers the chance to share ideas and network.

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In the News

 

 

 

History

The State Normal School at TROY was established in 1887 under the leadership of school president, Joseph M. Dill. The institution was founded in downtown Troy, Alabama, where it was located for 42 years until the college moved to its present-day site. We see the opportunity to be back downtown as a sign of coming home for Troy University. This is where it all began over 130 years ago!

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