“Comcast sponsored this post. All opinions are my own. Visit Comcast RISE to apply and learn more about the program for DC Small Business Owners.”
The global pandemic has been especially hard on small businesses owned by people of color. In July 2021 The Washington Post published an article that shared research findings from the National Bureau of Economic Research papers, which showed that “Nationwide, 26% of African American business owners closed between February and May, compared with 11% for their White counterparts. Black business owners are faring worse partly because of their heavy concentration in industries deemed non-essential and forced to shutter in lockdowns” (Sasso, 2021).
In the early months of the pandemic, several large corporations offered grants to small businesses. Now, more than a year later, small minority-owned businesses still need help.
That’s why I was so thrilled to learn about the Comcast RISE Investment Fund coming to Washington, D.C. (Wards 1-8). That’s right – from October 1-14, 2021, DC-based small businesses owned by people of color can apply to win a $10,000 grant from Comcast. By December, the company will announce 100 recipients from Washington, D.C. – meaning $1M in grants to people of color owned small businesses in The District.
Comcast RISE – which stands for Representation, Investment, Strength and Empowerment totaling $1 Million – was launched in late 2020 and will offer support such as marketing, creative, media, and technology services to 13,000 small businesses owned by people of color by the end of 2022.
Comcast is Committed to the Community
The best part about Comcast’s dedication to the community is that in addition to grants and marketing and technology services, they are also providing expert education and coaching to help entrepreneurs take their businesses to a new level.
The coaching will take place with the help of Ureeka, an online platform co-founded by Washington, D.C’s very own Melissa Bradley, who recently spoke about the Comcast RISE investment grant on NBC’s News 4 Your Sunday.
The best part about Comcast’s dedication to the community is that in addition to grants and marketing and technology services, they are also providing expert education and coaching to help entrepreneurs take their businesses to a new level.
The coaching will take place with the help of Ureeka, an online platform co-founded by Washington, D.C’s very own Melissa Bradley, who recently spoke about the Comcast RISE investment grant on NBC’s News 4 Your Sunday.
Comcast takes its commitment to the community seriously so it intentionally partnered with a small business familiar with the struggles companies run by minorities face. Ureeka is a bridge between survival and failure for many small businesses owned by underserved populations. Additionally, if a business doesn’t meet all of the application requirements for the Comcast RISE investment fund, it can apply for marketing and technology services. These services alone are a massive win for the small business community as a whole and the applications are rolling.
When Do Applications Open for DC Small Businesses?
When do applications open?
Applications are open between October 1-14, 2021 and businesses can apply here. Recipients of the grants will be notified at the end of November through December 2021.
For more information on Comcast RISE go to www.comcastrise.com. To learn more about – and to apply for – the Comcast RISE Investment Fund, go to www.comcastrise.com/investment-fund.
Apply to Win $10K from Comcast RISE and Level Up Your Business
Leveling up means trying to create an equal playing field where minority owned businesses have the same access to resources and capital as other businesses.
If you’re a person of color who owns a small business in Washington, D.C., the Comcast RISE Investment Fund is a fantastic opportunity to help your small business level up.
From October 1-14, 2021, DC-based small businesses (Wards 1-8) owned by people of color can apply to win a $10,000 grant from Comcast. In December, the company will announce 100 recipients from Washington, D.C. – meaning $1M in grants to people of color owned small businesses in The District.
Comcast RISE – which stands for Representation, Investment, Strength and Empowerment totaling $1 Million – was launched in late 2020 and will offer support such as marketing, creative, media, and technology services to 13,000 small businesses owned by people of color by the end of 2022.
Take advantage of this incredible opportunity to level up your business by applying for a Comcast RISE grant.