Grand Rapids, Muskegon Small Businesses Toast to Growth and Success with Comcast RISE Celebration

City Leaders and Small Business Owners Celebrate the 2025 Class of Comcast RISE Recipients

Small business owners, elected officials and local leaders from Grand Rapids and Muskegon, Michigan, celebrated the success of 100 small businesses last night at The Goei Center.

Earlier this year, these small businesses were awarded comprehensive grant packages through Comcast RISE, an initiative that fuels the growth of American small businesses and helps to strengthen local communities.

The celebratory event focused on the accomplishments of the small business owners, and providing ongoing support, education, resources, and networking opportunities.

“We’re dedicated to building on West Michigan’s entrepreneurial growth, and Comcast RISE offers the opportunity to provide the support and recognition the small business owners in our community deserve,” said Comcast Regional Vice President of External Affairs, Craig D’Agostini. “Together with our partners in Grand Rapids and Muskegon, this moment is about celebrating all these business owners have accomplished, and providing them with the resources to power what’s next.”

Attendees heard from local leaders and previous Comcast RISE recipients, networked with other recipients and elected officials, and attended a fireside chat to discuss accessing resources and scaling their businesses. Attendees were also offered a business directory of local RISE winners and professional headshots at no cost.

Back in April, Comcast announced that it would be giving small businesses in the Grand Rapids and Muskegon areas the chance to receive one of 100 comprehensive grant packages. Recipients were announced in August.

Each Comcast RISE recipient received a comprehensive grant package that includes:

• TECHNOLOGY MAKEOVER – Computer equipment and 12 months of internet, voice, and cybersecurity services by Comcast Business.
• CREATIVE PRODUCTION & MEDIA – Professionally produced 30-second TV commercial, media strategy consultation, and a 180-day linear media schedule from Comcast Advertising.
• EDUCATION RESOURCES – 24/7 access for one-year to online entrepreneurship courses, learning modules, and resources for small business owners.
• MONETARY GRANT – $5,000 grant to support business operations or growth initiatives.
• BUSINESS COACHING – Personalized assessment and coaching sessions to help business owners identify opportunities to grow their businesses.

Now in its fifth year, Comcast RISE is part of Project UP, the company’s $1 billion initiative to connect people to the internet, provide digital opportunity, and build a future of Unlimited Possibilities. To date, Comcast RISE has provided a total of $160 million in monetary, marketing, and technology resources to 14,500 small businesses nationwide ─ underscoring Comcast’s belief that when small businesses thrive, communities thrive.  14,500 small businesses across the country.

To view the full list of Comcast RISE recipients in Grand Rapids and Muskegon, click here.