Eligible small businesses can apply for a $10,000 grant from the Comcast RISE Investment Fund, bringing the total to $16 million in grants across the country since the program’s inception just 18 months ago
PHILADELPHIA – May 12, 2022 – Comcast announced today a new round of cities will receive grants from the Comcast RISE Investment Fund, providing $5 million additional dollars to hundreds of small businesses owned by people of color, including Black, Indigenous, Hispanic, and Asian American owners, and women, bringing the total to $16 million in grants awarded as part of the Comcast RISE Investment Fund initiative.
Beginning on June 1, and through June 14, eligible businesses in Atlanta, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and the Twin Cities can apply for a $10,000 grant at www.ComcastRISE.com. A total of 100 grants per city, or 500 grants overall, will be announced and awarded in July 2022. The Investment Fund is an extension of Comcast RISE, the multiyear, multifaceted initiative launched in October 2020 to support small businesses and provide the resources and tools they need today and in the future. RISE stands for “Representation, Investment, Strength and Empowerment.”
As part of the initial Comcast RISE Investment Fund program, the company previously awarded $1 million in April of last year to 100 small Black-owned businesses in Philadelphia and Chester.
“The effects of the pandemic continue to create challenges for our small businesses,” said Philadelphia City Councilmember Cherelle L. Parker. “This second infusion of investment grants, coupled with the hundreds of marketing and technology packages awarded in our city and the additional training and support provided through RISE, will help these businesses as they recover and rebuild to emerge from this crisis stronger than ever.”
“While we know that no single organization can solve historic and systemic inequities overnight, we are committed to taking tangible actions that can drive long-term impact and change,” said Dennis Mathew, Senior Vice President, Comcast’s Freedom Region. “Comcast RISE and the Comcast RISE Investment Fund offer the opportunity for small businesses owned by people of color and women to help grow their businesses, create jobs, and play a vital role in supporting our communities. This new round of Comcast RISE grants will provide more entrepreneurs with the resources and tools they need to scale their businesses and thrive for years to come.”
Chanda Anderson, owner of Chanda’s Hair Studio and Uptown Hair Salon, both in the Cedarbrook section of Philadelphia, was awarded an Investment Fund grant in 2021. She shared the following: “When the pandemic hit and we had to shut down our business, I was distraught. My only means of income was suddenly taken away, but, meanwhile, my bills kept coming in. The $10,000 grant from Comcast RISE not only helped me stay afloat, I used it to purchase hair for my clients and actually generate some income. At a time when I was seeing one client a day in my house versus five to seven clients a day pre-pandemic, it helped more than you can imagine.”
To help drive awareness about round three of the program and provide additional support, training, and mentorship, Comcast has also awarded support to the following local non-profits:
- African-American Chamber of Commerce of PA, NJ & DE
- Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia
- Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- Independence Business Alliance
- The Enterprise Center
- Philadelphia Association of Community Development Corporations
In addition, Comcast RISE invests in ongoing mentorship and resources to help businesses succeed over the long-term. The program has partnered with Ureeka, an online platform for entrepreneurs, to provide grant recipients with business coaching to help build skills in company foundation, growing customers and financial stability.
“Ureeka is proud to partner with Comcast RISE to grow small businesses nationwide with coaching and digital services,” said Melissa Bradley, Co-Founder, Ureeka. “We know there are stark disparities in access to capital and resources for entrepreneurs of color and women entrepreneurs. The additional coaching and digital resources that these businesses receive, in addition to potential monetary funding, will help these businesses gain valuable skills and opportunities that will help them move from survive to thrive.”
The first round of the Comcast RISE Investment Fund, announced in April of 2021, provided $5 million in grants to 500 small businesses owned by people of color in five cities: Philadelphia/Chester, Houston, Atlanta, Chicago and Detroit. Round two was announced in September of 2021, providing $6 million in grants to 600 small businesses in six locations: Miami, Houston, Oakland, Seattle, the Twin Cities, and Washington, D.C.
Comcast RISE Marketing and Technology Services
Comcast also announced the latest round of Comcast RISE marketing and technology award recipients. In 2020 and 2021, Comcast awarded $1 million in grants to 100 small businesses owned by people of color in Philadelphia and Chester, and provided in-kind services to nearly 400 additional local businesses. To date, more than 8,000 Comcast RISE awardees have been announced, and the program will have provided grants supporting 13,000 small businesses by the end of 2022.
Marketing Services Grant: The following services from Effectv, the advertising sales division of Comcast Cable, and its creative agency, Mnemonic, are designed to help recipients with their marketing and media campaigns, including:
- Media: A linear TV media campaign to run over a 90-day period.
- Creative Production: Turnkey 30-second TV commercial production, plus a media strategy consultation and 90-day media placement schedule.
- Consult: Digital audits by Ureeka in the form of Website Repair Reports and SEO Keyword reports to target website mechanics and effective organic marketing.
Technology Makeover Grants: The state-of-the-art equipment and technology upgrade from Comcast Business includes computer equipment as well as Internet, Voice, and Cybersecurity services for up to a 12-month period. (Taxes and other fees may still apply for technology makeover services.)
All eligible applicants will receive a monthly Comcast RISE newsletter with educational content, and all small business owners 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’s Ongoing Commitment to Advancing Digital Equity
Comcast RISE is part of Comcast’s ongoing efforts to advance digital equity and help provide underrepresented small business owners with access to the digital tools and funding they need to thrive. Over the next 10 years, Comcast has committed $1 billion to programs and partnerships that will reach tens of millions of people with the skills, opportunities, and resources they need to succeed in an increasingly digital world.
More information and the applications to apply for either the grant program or marketing and technology services are available at www.ComcastRISE.com.
About Comcast Corporation
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company that connects people to moments that matter. We are principally focused on connectivity, aggregation, and streaming with 57 million customer relationships across the United States and Europe. We deliver broadband, wireless, and video through our Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky brands; create, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, Universal Studio Group, Sky Studios, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, multiple cable networks, Peacock, NBCUniversal News Group, NBC Sports, Sky News, and Sky Sports; and provide memorable experiences at Universal Parks and Resorts in the United States and Asia. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.
About Comcast Business
Comcast Business offers Ethernet, Internet, Wi-Fi, Voice, TV and Managed Enterprise Solutions to help organizations of all sizes transform their business. Powered by an advanced network, and backed by 24/7 customer support, Comcast Business is one of the largest contributors to the growth of Comcast Cable. Comcast Business is the nation’s largest cable provider to small and mid-size businesses and has emerged as a force in the Enterprise market; recognized over the last two years by leading industry associations as one of the fastest growing providers of Ethernet services. For more information, visit www.business.comcast.com or call 866- 429-3085. Follow on Twitter @ComcastBusiness and on other social media networks at http://business.comcast.com/social.
About Effectv
Effectv, the advertising sales division of Comcast Cable, helps local, regional and national advertisers use the best of digital with the power of TV to grow their business. It provides multi-screen marketing solutions to make advertising campaigns more effective and easier to execute. Headquartered in New York with offices throughout the country, Effectv has a presence in 66 markets with nearly 35 million owned and represented subscribers. For more information, visit www.effectv.com.