Close School Announces Dragon Launch Philly to Foster Entrepreneurship and Economic Opportunity

The Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship has established a new strategic alliance to support local community members pursuing entrepreneurial ventures.

The Close School is joining the Urban Poverty and Business Initiative (UPBI), a significant program founded by Professor Michael Morris at the University of Notre Dame’s McKenna Center for Human Development and Global Business in the Keough School of Global Affairs. The program involves a network of over 40 leading universities across more than 55 cities. This collaborative effort is dedicated to supporting community members experiencing poverty who aspire to launch or expand their own businesses.

The local initiative, to be known as Dragon Launch Philly, is being developed as a focused, multi-faceted experience designed to equip participants with the tools for long-term economic self-sufficiency through entrepreneurship. The program structure is expected to include components such as intensive training, one-on-one mentorship, consulting, and extensive community engagement.

Support from The Coca-Cola Company in North America to UPBI led to the initiative’s expansion to Close School and the establishment of Dragon Launch Philly. Inspired by the upcoming FIFA World Cup 26™, Coca-Cola has provided additional support to UPBI to expand into tournament host cities and helped to make Dragon Launch Philly possible.

This valuable partnership will help us elevate Philadelphia’s wider community as they welcome fans into their city this coming season.

Dragon Launch Philly is scheduled to start in March 2026, with the inaugural cohort selection announced the previous month in February.