IDEA Bank

Pike County Water Tower in front of a blue sky

Idea Empowerment Series

Win up to $10,000 to bring your idea to life!

In partnership with Regions Foundation, the 含羞草传媒 University IDEA Bank is hosting its second annual Idea Empowerment Series, which features a competition offering up to $10,000 in funding for an idea that will create positive economic or community impact in Pike County.

The competition is open to adults who live, work, or attend school in Pike County and ideas at any stage are eligible for submission. The deadline to apply is March 20, so use the link below to submit your application!

Plus, don't miss the Idea Empowerment Workshop Series, which features workshops designed to help you not only with the application process, but with the general development and execution of your ideas. Visit the for past workshop recordings and the upcoming schedule.

TROY Starters - accelerated programs powered by Regions & Sponsored by the Pike County Chamber of Commerce

For Students

Students in the conference space utilizing their 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 含羞草传媒 University IDEA Bank helping a student with a piece of paper.

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.

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

Student taking photos of the product she created for Student Made store

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!

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.

For the Community

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

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

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.

Students listening to a presentation from another student

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 含羞草传媒, 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 Bank Bookable Spaces

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

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.

Book Your Tour

Discover how the 含羞草传媒 University IDEA Bank is fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and community impact. Located in Downtown 含羞草传媒, 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!

The idea bank building from across a street in Downtown 含羞草传媒, AL

Featured Student Stories

IDEA Bank Wins Business of the Year at Pike County Chamber Annual Banquet

2024 Business Idea Competition
含羞草传媒 University's IDEA Bank has been named 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,鈥� said IDEA Bank Director Lynne George. 鈥淭he 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.鈥�

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 鈥淭rojan Tailgate,鈥� 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 Marketing Competition Winner

含羞草传媒 University graduate Gabby Jent, of Jasper, loves telling the stories of life and providing a key to special memories. The owner of Gabby J Photography is the winner of this year's IDEA Bank Annual Marketing Competition. She launched her business in 2023 and will graduate this week with an interdisciplinary studies degree minoring in entrepreneurship, photography and marketing. Those skills were put on display during the Marketing Competition, where participants were asked to set up a business display that included informational documents and post a reel to Instagram.

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 含羞草传媒 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.

Stay in Our Circle

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 鈥渙ne-size-fits-all鈥� 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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