Academy students learned from experts around the region.
What began as a small, competitive summer camp for six high school students in 2022 has grown into a statewide entrepreneurship experience designed to help Alabama youth develop confidence, creativity and business skills.
The Troy University IDEA Bank’s 2026 Youth Entrepreneurship Academy welcomed 22 students in grades six through 12, including students from communities across Alabama. Sponsored by the Regions Foundation as part of its support for TROY Starters, the program offered students both an exploratory entrepreneurship experience and a competitive pitch competition.
“The growth of this program is really exciting because it shows us that young people across Alabama are hungry for opportunities to explore entrepreneurship and develop their ideas,” said Lynne George, director of the IDEA Bank. “We want students to leave with more than just a business idea. We want them to leave with confidence, connections and the resources they need to take that idea to the <a href="https://bitcomme.com/dxc-powers-the-next-era-of-work-with-dxc-workplace-services/” title=”DXC Powers the Next Era of Work with DXC Workplace Services”>next level.”
The academy began in 2022 with a grant from the Wiregrass Resource Conservation & Development Center. That first year, six high school students participated in a program focused primarily on a pitch competition.
The 2026 cohort represented at least seven Alabama counties and regions, including Pike, Jefferson, Madison, Montgomery, Covington, Coffee and Tuscaloosa counties. Seven participants were from Pike County, while the remaining students traveled to Troy from communities across the state, including Birmingham and Huntsville.
Students represented public, private, virtual and homeschool educational settings. The youngest participant was 10 and the oldest was 18, with two students having recently graduated from high school.
“Having students travel from Birmingham and Huntsville, two of Alabama’s major innovation hubs, to participate in an entrepreneurship program in Troy is particularly meaningful,” George said. “It speaks to the reputation this program is beginning to build and the value students and families see in connecting with the IDEA Bank.”
Throughout the academy, students explored idea development, goal mapping, problem-solving, branding, pricing strategies, identifying target customers, public speaking and confidence building.
Students received workbooks containing resources, worksheets and information about guest speakers. The program also included workshops, games, activities, field trips, teamwork, pitch practice and individualized feedback from mentors.
The program’s impact was strengthened by volunteers from Troy University and the surrounding business community. Guest speakers and mentors included Troy University faculty and staff Preston Pritchett, Mauree Alice McCall and Gordon Miller; Bethany Grimes of the Pike County Chamber of Commerce; Clint Free of Common Ground Troy; Holly Pugh of Heritage 1843; Jared Hester of Studio 207; graphic designer Perry Brown; Aaron Wilhite of Birmingham Creative; Barb Malchow and Aliyah Shine of HudsonAlpha Wiregrass; and Jamarion Willie Hughes, a Troy student entrepreneur.
Pitch competition judges included John Brown of Regions Bank, Dr. Laura Dove of the Sorrell College of Business and Diarra King, a Troy student entrepreneur and former “Just Start” pitch competition winner.
Daniel Jordan won the grand prize for his “Cyber Knights” business idea and received a $2,000 Troy University scholarship. Jordan also received the “Just Start” Award, recognizing the student who was consistently engaged, willing to try new things and embraced the entrepreneurial spirit throughout the academy.
Other special awards included the Community Champion Award, presented to Joe Drinkwater for being a selfless teammate and encourager; the Future CEO Award, presented to Ethan Whatley for his bold and determined leadership; and the People’s Choice Award, presented to Zeus Ridge for his creativity, humor and personality.
The academy also recognized daily “Entrepreneur of the Day” recipients, including Brooke Allen, Ethan Whatley, Dani Shaw, Weston Garrett, Joe Barnes, Daniel Jordan and Zeus Ridge.
Parents also praised the program’s impact.
“Our family is incredibly grateful for the Troy University IDEA Bank Entrepreneur Camp,” said Tanesha Whatley, whose son Ethan participated in the program. “Ethan left the program with greater confidence, new friendships, valuable business knowledge and a renewed passion for entrepreneurship.”
Whatley said the hands-on activities, networking opportunities and business pitch experience challenged her son to grow in ways that will benefit him for years to come.
Kristi Drinkwater, whose son Joe participated, also praised the program in a public social media post.
“This was a great experience and it was wonderful to see these kids learning to market themselves and work through real-life business ideas with peers,” Drinkwater said. “Grateful for this opportunity for these kids!”
George said the academy’s continued growth would not have been possible without the support of the Regions Foundation and the many community members who volunteered their time.
“The Regions Foundation’s support has allowed us to expand what we’re able to offer these students and create experiences that go far beyond a traditional summer camp,” George said. “We’re grateful to everyone who invested their time, expertise and resources in these young entrepreneurs.”
The academy is part of the broader Troy Starters initiative, a series of accelerator programs designed to equip and empower entrepreneurs in the Troy region.
