Prepare Your Business For FIFA 26™: Apply to the Next Cohort of Beltline Business Ventures!

Applications are now open for a special fifth cohort of Beltline Business Ventures, designed to prepare Atlanta businesses for large events— with a focus on FIFA World Cup 26^TM!  

The FIFA World Cup 2026™ kicks off June 11, 2026 with Atlanta hosting eight matches. By next year, Atlanta will welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the world. This cohort is strategically timed to help your business prepare for this once-in-a-generation opportunity. By joining, you’ll be positioned, equipped, and ready when the world’s eyes are on Atlanta. 

This free accelerator program, launched by the Atlanta Beltline Business Solutions Office in partnership with The Center by Lendistry and CVM Worldwide, supports local businesses by providing the technical assistance and key resources needed to physically locate their business along the 22-mile loop.   

The program is open to businesses located within the Beltline Planning Area that are looking to scale their operations or businesses not on the Beltline but would like to be. If you fall into either category, we encourage you to apply!   

What We Offer:   

• Three months of virtual and in-person learning sessions on a range of topics from strategic planning, customer acquisition, operational optimization, and more   

• Monthly peer learning and networking opportunities   

• Up to 10 hours of tailored 1:1 business advising with experienced entrepreneur coaches and consultants   

• An opportunity to participate in a pitch competition  

“I struggled with pulling together my growth strategy, primarily because the more information I learned, the more the direction I initially had in mind for growth shifted,” said Lisa Lindsay, owner of FruiTea Café. “The cohort opened my eyes to considering various formats to successfully operate my business.”   

Eligibility:   

• For-profit entity set up as a corporation or LLC   

• Been in operation for 2+ years   

• Gross annual revenues of at least $250,000   

• Two years of financial statements   

• Minimum of 3 staff members, including the business owner   

• Looking to expand into a physical storefront or second location  

Timeline   

• Applications Open: June 30, 2025   

• Information Session: July 15, 2025 at 12pm – 2pm  

RSVP Here: Zoom Link   

• Applications Close: July 25, 2025   

• Applicants notified: August 22, 2025 

• Cohort Orientation: September 2, 2025   

• Cohort Dates: Weekly sessions from September 9 to November 8, 2025 (virtual) 

• Graduation: December 16, 2025 

Want to Learn More?   Attend an informational webinar July 15, 2025, at 12pm or email  BeltlineVentures@atlbeltline.org.   

Click here to be a part of the next cohort of Beltline Business Ventures. You don’t want to miss out on this specifically tailored opportunity to advance your business operations before Atlanta welcomes the world!