The Troy University IDEA Bank and Student-Made Store are launching a brick-and-mortar store and online sales platform in September 2024. The store will be situated within the IDEA Bank, located in the heart of Downtown Troy, Alabama.
This partnership provides Troy students with a unique outlet to sell their products both online and in downtown Troy. The Student-Made Store is fully student-run, aligning with the IDEA Bank’s mission to support student entrepreneurs. It will be the first of its kind in the nation. Students interested in being featured creators or joining the management team can apply through the Student-Made Store website
You are invited to shop the store on September 19th and join in-person to celebrate the Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting, hosted by the Pike County Chamber of Commerce on September 20th at 11:30 a.m.
The IDEA Bank offers a wide range of services and programs designed to support and empower entrepreneurs. Whether you’re a student, faculty member, or local entrepreneur, the IDEA Bank is here to help you succeed.
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
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. The show features a series of interviews with existing and budding small business owners, innovators, designers, educators, and other key people in the local entrepreneurship space. 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.
LEARN MORE & LISTEN NOW
Are you a Troy University student? Do you have a business idea? Do you want to win startup capital to set that idea into action? Applications for the 2023 Business Idea Competition, hosted by Troy University and the Sorrell College of Business' IDEA Bank and Sorrell 360 Center are now open! The competition, open to all Troy University students with a business idea, offers students a chance to turn a concept into reality. Participants will undergo an eight-week training program, part of the IDEA Bank's TROY Starters program, powered by Regions Foundation. Students, this is your opportunity to refine your idea, gain invaluable skills, and compete for impactful startup capital!
APPLY NOW
In addition to supporting student entrepreneurs, the IDEA Bank serves as a resource hub for its surrounding community. Become an IDEA Bank member to get exclusive access to daily co-working space, private offices, high-speed internet, printing/copying/scanning, conference rooms, computers, cameras, and so much more! The Membership Program is launching in Fall of 2024, so stay tuned for more information or click the button below to receive a notification when its launched!
NOTIFY MEBookings are available at no charge to IDEA Bank members and Troy University students, faculty, and staff. Non-members can contact the IDEA Bank directly for information about space bookings or membership options.
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. This versatile room is equipped with rolling chairs, desks, an 80" mobile screen with computer and touchscreen capabilities, and additional AV technology, making it ideal for meetings, workshops, trainings, and networking events.
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 room hosts most IDEA Bank workshops and can be reserved for private trainings, meetings, or workshops for students and members. To book the space, please complete the private events request form.
REQUEST THE COLLABORATION 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. *Available for instant booking by students, faculty, staff, and members using a TROY email or member ID.
BOOK NOW
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, and staff interested in launching their own podcast or recording professional audio. If you are not affiliated with Troy University, but are interested in utilizing the Vault Studio, please contact us at ideabank@troy.edu or 334-808-6777. *Available for instant booking by students, faculty, staff, and members using a TROY email or member ID.
BOOK THE VAULT STUDIO
The Troy University IDEA Bank is a flexible resource for the local community, welcoming private events that align with our mission and vision, even outside standard hours. To submit an event request, please complete the request form or call us at 334-808-6777. For more details on facility policies, refer to our "Space Use Agreement." There is no charge for students, faculty, staff, and IDEA Bank members. Non-members can contact us for information on membership or other options for private bookings.
IDEA BANK SPACE USE AGREEMENTThrough various programs and avenues of support, the IDEA Bank features student stories that highlight the entrepreneurial journeys and innovative projects of young, student entrepreneurs.
Four Troy University Students and Graphic Design majors—Nathan Hobbs, Reanna Thompson, Jared Hester, and Howard Purvee—have launched Studio 207, a multimedia design company based in Troy, applying their classroom knowledge to real-world use. Their company has quickly achieved success, winning the IDEA Bank’s Marketing Competition and receiving a $2,000 advertising bundle, while also securing a major contract with Troy Regional Medical Center. They continue to benefit from IDEA Bank support as they manage their business operations and focus on their creative work.
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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.
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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."
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Sarah Snyder, a sophomore business major from Roeton, AL, won the IDEA Bank’s Student Entrepreneur Marketing Competition for her business, Countryside Kennels. What began as a part-time job has grown into a full-service dog care facility, offering boarding, baths, nail clipping, and a Doggy Daycare service. Snyder competed against 13 other student-owned businesses and was awarded a $2,000 marketing package for her winning display and strategy. Her kennels feature indoor/outdoor spaces and a fenced exercise yard, all designed to provide a safe and loving environment for pets. Snyder credits her love of dogs, especially her own pet Jethro, for inspiring her entrepreneurial journey.
READ MOREWhether 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.