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 2026 Business Idea Pitch Competition, in partnership with the Sorrell 360 Center funded by Regions Foundation, is an eight-week pitch development program designed to help Troy University students turn an early-stage business idea into a clear, compelling, and competition-ready pitch. Participants will take part in four focused sessions covering key elements of building and presenting a strong business pitch, while receiving mentorship, feedback, and guidance throughout the eight weeks.
The competition culminates on December 2, 2026, when participants will deliver their final pitch to a panel of judges and compete for funding to help move their business idea forward. For more information, contact ideabank@troy.edu or call 334-808-6777.
8 Weeks of Mentorship. 4 Sessions. 1 Pitch.
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.

Daniel Jordan, a standout participant in the IDEA Bank's 2026 "JUST START" Youth Entrepreneurship
Academy, won a $2,000 Troy University scholarship for his innovative business idea, Cyber Knights. Jordan developed and refined his concept throughout the four-day academy, ultimately
impressing judges with his final pitch and earning the top scholarship award. Through
"JUST START", Jordan gained hands-on experience in entrepreneurship, branding, public
speaking, professionalism, and pitch development while receiving guidance from business
professionals and mentors. He left the academy with a stronger business concept, an
improved pitch, and a $2,000 scholarship to Troy University, marking an exciting next
step for both Jordan and Cyber Knights.
2026 "JUST START" Youth Entrepreneurship Academy Winner - Read More

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.

Amanda Johnson, founder of Fostering Hope, was named the first-place winner of the 2026 IDEA Empowerment Series & Competition, earning $7,000 in funding from Regions Foundation, to expand her impact across Pike County. Fostering Hope supports foster children, foster families, and child welfare workers through care packages, appreciation gifts, community outreach, and the Healing Heart Threads Care Closet. The Care Closet provides clothing, essential items, and additional support for children navigating foster care. Throughout the competition, Johnson strengthened her idea through multiple rounds of judging, mentorship, feedback, and pitch development. Her winning pitch demonstrated how Fostering Hope can use the funding to expand the Care Closet and provide greater comfort, encouragement, and emotional support to children during difficult transitions while continuing to support the families and professionals who care for them.

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.”

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.