During its initial two-year program, 13,000 small businesses nationwide were awarded over $110 million in monetary, marketing, and technology grants.
Today, Comcast announced a new round of 100 businesses in Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties will receive comprehensive grant packages that include business consultation services, educational resources, a $5,000 monetary grant, creative production, media schedule, and a technology makeover. Comcast RISE is committed to supporting the growth of all small businesses, while advancing the objectives of diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as community investment. The program was created to help businesses and their communities thrive with a focus on economic growth.
Beginning on June 1, and through June 30, eligible businesses in metro Detroit, as well as Baltimore, Memphis, Philadelphia, and Portland, can apply for a grant package at www.ComcastRISE.com. A total of 100 grants per city, or 500 grants overall, will be announced in August and awarded in September 2023, bringing the total number of recipients to date to 13,500.
“For the third consecutive year, Comcast is investing in local small businesses with our Comcast RISE program,” said Kristee Cominiello, senior vice president for Comcast in Michigan. “Since 2021, Comcast has assisted more than 650 small businesses owned by people of color and women in Michigan. We will continue our efforts to positively impact the communities in which we operate and help an even broader range of small businesses, while continuing to focus on diversity, inclusion and community investment.”
Comcast RISE stands for Representation, Investment, Strength, and Empowerment. Comcast RISE was created in November 2020 to help small businesses hardest hit by COVID-19, from bakeries and barber shops to childcare centers and cleaning services, by providing the grants needed to survive and recover.
The program will evolve from helping businesses survive the pandemic, to helping businesses and their communities thrive with a focus on economic growth.
Grant packages will include:
CONSULTATION
Assessment of business and tactical planning; business to business coaching; and mentorship to advise on how to grow the business.
EDUCATION RESOURCES
Educational content and resources tailored to individual companies based on where they are in their business lifecycle.
MONETARY GRANT
$5,000 monetary grant to invest in growth and sustainability.
CREATIVE PRODUCTION & MEDIA
Turnkey production of a 30-second TV commercial, plus a media strategy consultation and 180-day media placement schedule.
TECHNOLOGY MAKEOVER
Computer equipment and Internet, Voice and Cybersecurity services for 12 months. (Taxes and other fees may still apply for tech makeover services.)
In addition, any small business owner can visit the Comcast RISE destination on the X1 platform featuring aggregated small business news, tips, insights, and more. Just say “Comcast RISE” into the X1 voice remote.
Comcast RISE is part of Project UP, the company’s comprehensive initiative to advance digital equity and help build a future of unlimited possibilities. More information on eligibility requirements and how to apply for the grant program is available at www.ComcastRISE.com.