SCOB students pitch entrepreneurial ideas

Students in the Sorrell College of Business proposed their latest innovations during the 2025 IDEA Bank Business Idea Pitch Competition. 

The pitch competition was founded in 2023 and consists of an eight-week-long program over the fall semester. The program contains four training sessions, a workbook to track progress and document ideas, and mentorship pairing. 

At the end of the training, students pitch their ideas to a panel of judges for a chance to win seed funding for their businesses. Wesley Tilghman, a sophomore accounting major from Panema City, Florida, won the $4,000 first-place prize. 

“The concept I pitched in the competition was Trojan Tailgate,” Tilghman said. “Trojan Tailgate is a tailgate service that provides everything needed to enjoy gamedays such as tents, chairs, coolers and drinks with setup and takedown included. 

“The only thing the customer must do is show up and book a tent. I've set up many tailgates before, so I knew exactly what goes into planning one.” 

Tilghman already has his sights locked on how he’ll spend his prize earnings. 

“I am going to use the money that I won to purchase equipment I need for the upcoming football season,” Tilghman said. “Tents, tables, chairs, a covered trailer and branded merchandise are all at the top of my list.” 

In partnership with MAX Credit Union, students could win a total of $8,000 in seed funding. Laney Kelley, an interdisciplinary studies major from DeFuniak Springs, Florida, cashed in on the $1,000 third place prize. 

“My pitch was my personal business Creations by LK,” Kelley said. “I sell clothing, buttons, paintings and macarons. 

“I’m going to use the money to buy a sewing and embroidery machine to start new products. I also plan to buy a kitchen aid mixer to upgrade my macaron baking.” 

The Sullivan Impact Award, a special award sponsored by the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation, recognizes an idea that has strong potential for positive social impact. Hoke Smith, a Huntsville, Alabama native and sophomore business administration major, won the award with his business titled Viritex. 

“Viritex is an artificial intelligence automation system that is targeted at increasing the efficiency of the legal system,” Smith said. “Currently, if you get arrested for a serious charge such as murder and you're not able to bail out, you can be in prison for multiple years. 

“In my pitch presentation, I shared the example of an 18-year-old who was arrested and later died in a prison fight two years afterward. My goal is to help people get to trial faster while also saving counties time and money, making jails more efficient and safer workplaces for staff.” 

IDEA Bank Director Lynne George was one of the judges that evaluated students' pitches. For George, watching students embrace their entrepreneurial spirit is a joy. 

“It’s very rewarding and the driver of my work,” George said. “My goal is always to help students’ feel empowered, so when I see students taking risks, trying new things and ultimately thriving by embracing our programs, it means we’re doing something right.” 

Although the next formal student pitch competition will not be until the fall 2026 semester, the IDEA Bank is available to help students bring their business ideas to life and learn about entrepreneurship. Interested students can book a meeting at the IDEA Bank or get involved with other programs by visiting troy.edu/ideabank.