Prime Highlights
- Notre Dame expanded its Urban Poverty and Business Initiative to 59 cities, including 13 FIFA World Cup 2026 host cities, with support from Coca-Cola.
- The program has helped more than 11,000 entrepreneurs, created over 5,000 jobs and supported nearly 4,500 business launches.
Key Facts
- The Coca-Cola Company supported the expansion of the entrepreneurship initiative across FIFA World Cup host communities.
- FIFA World Cup 2026 host cities in the United States and Canada are among the key locations targeted for long-term economic development through the program.
Background
A Notre Dame business program backed by Coca-Cola is expanding to FIFA World Cup 2026 host cities across the United States and Canada. The expansion has been supported by The Coca-Cola Company in North America and now covers 59 cities, including 13 FIFA World Cup host cities across the United States and Canada.
The initiative, known as the Urban Poverty and Business Initiative (UPBI), works with universities, nonprofit organizations and community partners to help entrepreneurs from underserved communities start and grow their businesses. The program focuses on providing business training, mentoring, consulting support, access to capital and research-based guidance.
Notre Dame said the expansion is designed to ensure that economic benefits linked to major international events extend beyond the tournament itself. The university and Coca-Cola aim to create a lasting business legacy in host communities by strengthening local entrepreneurial ecosystems.
The program is housed within Notre Dame’s Keough School of Global Affairs and operates through a nationwide network of partner institutions. Universities participating in the initiative serve as local anchors, connecting entrepreneurs with faculty expertise, student mentors and community support systems.
Since its launch, UPBI has supported more than 11,000 entrepreneurs across the United States. The initiative has helped create over 5,000 jobs and contributed to the launch of nearly 4,500 businesses. Each year, it reaches around 3,000 entrepreneurs and helps more than 750 ventures move toward financial stability.
Program founder Michael Morris said the goal is to combine academic research with practical action to help entrepreneurs build successful businesses while strengthening local economies. He added that partner organizations share a long-term commitment to expanding economic opportunity in their communities.
