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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.

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college boy holding a big check for 1st place prize of $4,000 from max credit union

2026 Business Idea Pitch Competition

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.


Apply Here By September 14th! 

For Students


Students in the conference space utilizing their membership.
Student Membership

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!

Director of Troy University IDEA Bank helping a student with a piece of paper.
Student Launchpad

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. 

Student Made Member putting up merchandise in the student made store.
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.

DART Board Program

The Design and Art Resource by TROY (DART Board) connects budding entrepreneurs in need of creative services to student designers who can bring their brand to life, fostering entrepreneurial collaboration.
DART Board designers will have opportunities to earn a stipend from the IDEA Bank for their work supporting the startup process of a new business while entrepreneurs in need of creative services can submit their request(s) and receive their first service completely free of charge.

Note: While the cost of your first DART Board service is covered, designer fees will apply to additional services requested and will be agreed upon with your designer based on the price guide in the request form.

For more information, email dartboard@troy.edu or to see examples of work on @dartboard_troy
Student taking a photo of their product they created

Are You A Student Graphic Designer?

DART Board Designers work one-on-one with their clients to achieve their design goals, offering a real-world client management experience. Designers typically earn $100-$250 per project. Project assignments are based on demand and cannot be guaranteed. Projects will be presented to Designers as an opportunity, which will include the scope of work and available stipend, which Designers will then accept or pass. Use the button below to apply to become a DART Board Designer!
Designer Application

In Need of Graphic Design Services?

Use the button below to make your request! DART Board services are open to both students and community members, but are designed for business needs only. Your first creative service is complimentary, and fees for additional services will be based on the prices outlined in the request form. Deadlines cannot be guaranteed and are based on the existing workload of DART Board designers. 
Request Work

For the Community


A woman presenting in front of a screen inside the main room of the IDEA Bank.
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!

Student using rented room inside the IDea Bank for his business
Community Incubator 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. The Incubator Membership is currently at capacity. Email ideabank@troy.edu to join the waitlist.

guests listening to a presentation from idea bank director lynne george
Check Out Our Events

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.

A student sitting inside of a recorsing podcast studio smiling. He has headphones on and a microphone in front of him.

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.

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.

Follow us on Instagram to get an insider into Idea Vault Shorts


Learn More About IDEA Vault Podcast

IDEA Bank Bookable Spaces

IDEA Bank Members and Troy University Students can book the IDEA Bank for FREE! If you not a member or Troy University affiliated, we offer several coworking spaces available to book at a one-time hourly rate.

Book a Space
 

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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!

Book a Tour
The idea bank building from across a street in Downtown Troy, AL

Featured Student Stories

2026 "JUST START" Youth Entrepreneurship Summer Camp Winner
High school student holding big check for $2,000 scholarship to troy

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

2025 Business Idea Pitch Competition Winner
Winners of the 2023 Business Pitch Competition

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.


2025 Business Idea Pitch Competition  - Read More

2026 Idea Empowerment Competition Winner
Woman holding big check for $7,000

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.


2026 Idea Empowerment Competition Winner - Read More
IDEA Bank Wins Business of the Year at Pike County Chamber Annual Banquet

2024 Business Idea Competition
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.”


IDEA Bank Wins Business of the Year  - Read More

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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.



Director Lynn George presenting inside the IDEA BANK

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