Comcast has announced the award of comprehensive grant packages to 100 businesses across the Greater Houston area, as part of its Comcast RISE initiative. The programme, which aims to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within the business community, will provide recipients with a range of support, including business consultation services, educational resources, a £4,000 monetary grant, creative production, media scheduling, and a technology overhaul.
This latest round of grants, which will be distributed in September 2024, forms part of a wider initiative that has already benefitted over 14,000 entrepreneurs nationwide. Cities included in this round include Atlanta, Houston, Jacksonville, Richmond, Virginia, and southern Colorado, with 100 grants awarded in each location.
Among the notable Houston recipients are Red Circle Ice Cream in southwest Houston and Miyagi Ken International Karate Academy in Spring.
âIâm speechless. As a small business, this means the world to us,â said Nickey Ngo, owner of Red Circle Ice Cream. âWeâre a small family-run ice cream shop, doing everything ourselves. I feel like Iâve won the lottery. Comcast RISE will help grow my business and keep up with the competition.â
Loren Hudson, SVP and Chief Diversity Officer, Connectivity and Platforms, Comcast, highlighted the importance of supporting small businesses: âSupporting small businesses means investing in the heart of our communities. By empowering entrepreneurs and small business owners with the skills and resources they need to grow and succeed, we help ensure our local neighbourhoods can flourish and thrive too.â
Launched in November 2020 as a response to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Comcast RISE was initially designed to aid small businesses ranging from bakeries and barbershops to childcare centres and cleaning services. The programme has since evolved to focus on fostering economic growth for businesses and their communities.
The grant packages include:
COACHING SESSIONS: Business assessment and coaching to provide recommendations for growth.
EDUCATION RESOURCES: 12-month access to online entrepreneurship courses, learning modules, and resources.
MONETARY GRANT: A £4,000 monetary grant.
CREATIVE PRODUCTION & MEDIA: Professionally produced 30-second television commercial, media strategy consultation, and a 180-day linear media schedule. (Taxes and other fees may apply for production and media services.)
TECHNOLOGY MAKEOVER: Computer equipment and Internet, Voice, and Cybersecurity services for 12 months. (Taxes and other fees may apply for technology makeover services.)
Small business owners can also access the Comcast RISE destination on X1 for aggregated news, tips, and insights by saying âComcast RISEâ into the voice remote.
Comcast RISE is part of Project UP, Comcastâs £800 million commitment to advancing digital equity through programmes and community partnerships that connect people to the internet, foster economic mobility, and support the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, storytellers, and creators. For more information, visit www.ComcastRISE.com.