Inspired by the upcoming FIFA World Cup 26™, The Coca‑Cola Company supports the University of Notre Dame’s Urban Poverty and Business Initiative (UPBI) as it expands its work through institutions such as Impact Hub Houston to build enduring legacies of economic inclusion, leadership development, and sustainable local enterprise expansion for a legacy of connection that extends beyond the tournament.

HOUSTON, TX – June 21, 2026 – Impact Hub Houston announces the real-world impact of its recently launched Build Equity (“BE”) program, collaborating directly with UPBI to deliver entrepreneurship training and support tailored to local community needs, thanks to the support of The Coca-Cola Company.

Impact Hub Houston celebrates the successful graduation of 28 emerging entrepreneurs from across the Greater Houston area. Powered by the rigorous curriculum of the Urban Poverty and Business Initiative (UPBI) — housed within the McKenna Center for Human Development and Global Business at the University of Notre Dame — the program is purposefully designed to dismantle systemic economic barriers and catalyze long-term job creation within marginalized communities.

Following a highly competitive application cycle that concluded earlier this year, the 28 selected participants underwent an intensive, hands-on six-week business bootcamp. The curriculum targeted core operational fundamentals, financial models, risk mitigation, and strategic growth planning. Moving directly from the classroom to real-world deployment, 20 of these local entrepreneurs have now successfully advanced into an intensive four-month personalized mentorship phase, where they are paired one-on-one with experienced entrepreneurs and subject matter experts to aggressively scale their ventures.

The implementation of the Build Equity program arrives at a critical moment for the region, directly supporting localized entrepreneurial action to stimulate neighborhood economies in a time when many people are being laid off and finding it challenging to afford basic needs like groceries, shelter, and healthcare. By providing people with actionable business toolkits, social capital, and institutional backing, the program aims to establish resilient businesses capable of employing local residents and retaining wealth within the community.

“We are deeply inspired by the grit and perseverance of the 28 entrepreneurs who graduated ‘Build Equity.’ Their resilience represents the future of Houston’s economy,” said Grace Rodriguez, Executive Director of Impact Hub Houston. “Intellectual, financial, and social capital are the definitive ladders for upward mobility. By equipping these founders with the UPBI framework, access to contracts and capital providers, and a powerful network of experienced mentors, we are not just helping individual businesses grow — we are actively investing in the economic self-sufficiency of our neighbors and the vitality of our neighborhoods across Greater Houston.”

As 20 of the businesses progress on through the remaining phases of personalized advisory and capacity-building, Impact Hub Houston and its ecosystem partners remain committed to support them with revenue generation, job creation, operational improvement, and impact tracking.

To learn more about the program, visit Notre Dame’s post here: https://news.nd.edu/news/coca-cola-and-notre-dame-bring-poverty-alleviation-efforts-to-host-cities-during-the-fifa-world-cup-2026/

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