IDEA Bank to hold business pitch comp

Applications are open for an annual entrepreneurship competition held by the IDEA Bank.

The Business Pitch Competition allows students to apply with an idea for a business they’d like to start and, if selected, present their idea to a panel of judges for the opportunity to win money to put toward their business. Before the presentation, students go through eight weeks of developing their idea, communication skills and understanding of their industry and audience.

“I get to watch students come in with an idea that they aren’t confident communicating. Then, I get to watch them turn it into something real throughout different programs and connections they make,” said IDEA Bank Program and Marketing Coordinator, Reanna Thompson. “It’s honestly my favorite part of my job at the IDEA Bank.”

Eight weeks of mentorship and workshopping can be a large commitment for a student, especially if they’re uncertain about the finer details of their idea, but IDEA Bank Director, Lynne George, said that overcoming that uncertainty is just part of the process.

“You don’t have to have everything figured out to start,” George said. “I think sometimes people have this idea that they need a perfect business plan, a lot of money or all the answers before they can do anything, and you really don’t.

“Just start somewhere; take the first step! Your idea is probably going to change along the way anyway, and that’s just part of it.”

The top three student entrepreneurs will receive $5,000, $3,000 or $2,000 for first, second or third place, respectively. Tucker Bryant, a junior global business major from Dothan, Alabama, with a concentration in entrepreneurship, said he thinks it’s an incredible opportunity for students like him, even if you don’t win any money.

“The funding is a huge advantage that a select number of students will be able to put towards their business plans; however, all applicants will walk away with an industry-recognized business outline and strengthened abilities to structure and validate their entrepreneurial ideas,” Bryant said.

The competition is also an opportunity for students that aren’t entrepreneurs to go out and support their entrepreneurial friends. Anyone is allowed to watch the final pitch of the businesses, and Thompson said all students could use the encouragement.

“Starting something and putting your idea in front of other people can be extremely intimidating,” Thompson said. “Having other students genuinely be excited about what you're building means everything.

“One of the best parts of programs like the Business idea pitch competition is creating an ecosystem of other students who are in the same boat as you are.”

Thompson also encourages students to follow their peers’ businesses on social media, engage with their content, if possible, ask them about their progress or even buy from them if they’re selling a product or service.

The Business Pitch Competition's final presentations and pitches will be held Dec. 2, 2026.