The University of Utah’s award-winning Master of Business Creation (MBC) program, operated by the David Eccles School of Business, will soon be available for enrollment by entrepreneurs in Europe.
Beginning in August, budding business creators from Belgium, France, Luxembourg and the Netherlands can join the program.
The expansion to Europe follows the launch of the MBC Global option in the fall of 2024. The international option was first offered in Africa, including in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa, and has since expanded to Canada (Ontario) and now Europe, with other regions and countries possible in the future, according to a release from the school.
The Master of Business Creation program is offered in a partnership between the UofU’s Department of Entrepreneurship & Strategy and the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute at the Eccles School. The UofU is ranked among the top 10 universities in the country for entrepreneurship education.
“The continued expansion of the MBC program around the world shows the success of our model to become the world’s best business accelerator plus graduate degree for serious entrepreneurs, creating a thriving global community of MBC entrepreneurs,” said Jeff Davis, director of the MBC program and a professor in the Department of Marketing at the Eccles School. “I am thrilled to bring the program to Europe with our partners in Luxembourg after the successful launch of the global program in Africa.”
The expansion to Europe is a partnership with Aureus Ars & Scientia, a philanthropic organization that fosters education, arts and science. Leading the partnership in Europe are Olivier Van Regemortel, Jacques Mahaux and Amélie Madinier, who are the chairman, board member and executive director at Aureus Ars & Scientia, respectively. Madinier will be the regional director of MBC Global (Europe). Davis said Madinier brings a wealth of experience in mentoring, recruiting and developing founders.
“We look forward to enrolling founders in our region into the Master of Business Creation, one of the most unique and valuable degree programs for entrepreneurs anywhere in the world,” Van Regemortel said. “We invite founders across eligible European countries to learn more and apply. We expect admissions to be competitive, and we expect to have scholarships for the most qualified applicants who apply before
Jan. 31, 2026.”
Bringing the MBC program to Europe was made possible through the support of the Lassonde Family Foundation.
“[The foundation’s] generosity has made it possible for us to change how entrepreneurship education is provided and launch exceptional programs like the Master of Business Creation and expand it across the world,” said Scott Holley, executive director of the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute. “We are grateful for their vision and support as we work toward our mission of transforming students through
entrepreneurship.”
The MBC program was introduced in 2019 and hundreds of founders have enrolled in the program since then. The MBC Global program features all the core elements of the successful U.S. program. The founders in the global program have access to one-on-one mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs in their location, an applied and highly relevant curriculum, networking opportunities and more. They also join a growing, international network of MBC alumni, founders, faculty and mentors.
The MBC Global program is offered online and founders join a cohort with other entrepreneurs from their region in the one-year program.
“The more you learn about the MBC program, the more you will understand how unique this program is and what an incredible opportunity it provides to entrepreneurs ready to grow their startups,” said Davis. “We are now accepting applications in the U.S., Canada, Africa and Europe and we look forward to expanding to other locations in the future.”