Comcast RISE empowering businesses owned by women and people of color

To date, Comcast RISE has awarded more than $16 million in grants and $75 million in in-kind support for marketing and technology services, impacting more than 9,500 entrepreneurs nationwide.

Comcast announced it will award an additional $1 million in total grants to 100 Atlanta small businesses owned by women and people of color, including Black, Indigenous, Hispanic, and Asian American owners, among others. The recipients are among more than 9,500 entrepreneurs nationwide who have been selected through the Comcast RISE program, which provides marketing, technology, and capital support to small business owners.

Comcast RISE and the Comcast RISE Investment Fund initially launched in 2020 as a response to help small business owners of color who were hardest hit by the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. In November 2021, Comcast announced a major expansion to eligibility, enabling all women-owned small businesses nationwide to apply. This expansion built on the program’s success and aims to help address the persistent inequities women continue to face in accessing the resources and funding that are critical to success.

With today’s announcement, 100 selected businesses will each receive a $10,000 grant, bringing the total to $2 million in grants awarded to Atlanta area businesses since the program’s inception. An additional 194 small, local businesses will receive technology makeovers or marketing support, such as a TV campaign, production of a TV commercial, or consulting services from Effectv, the advertising sales division of Comcast Cable. Technology makeover winners can receive computer equipment, internet, voice, or cybersecurity services from Comcast Business. Atlanta’s grant recipients include:

Dulce Vegan LLC

Mr. Elementary Math LLC

JP Womble LLC, DBA Extension Blow Dry Bar

Francis Business Consulting LLC

"We are very grateful to Comcast for their generous support and partnership," said Gregory Coleman, owner of Mr. Elementary Math LLC. "Today's news is a huge step for our business as we continue to grow and serve the education community."

“It is clear that as we continue to recover from the pandemic, small businesses need our support,” said Jason Gumbs, Comcast Regional SVP in Atlanta. “Since the launch of Comcast RISE in 2020, we have seen just how critical this program has been in supporting the business community. Today’s announcement is another positive step forward in helping small, local businesses succeed in today’s marketplace.”

To date, Comcast RISE has awarded more than $16 million in grants and $75 million in in-kind support for marketing and technology services, impacting more than 9,500 entrepreneurs in 590 cities across 34 states. By the end of 2022, 13,000 businesses across the country are expected to benefit from the Comcast RISE initiative, either through the grant program or from the resources provided through Effectv, the advertising division of Comcast Cable, and Comcast Business. In addition to the financial and business support services provided, a key part of the program is ensuring the long-term sustainability of businesses. To help address this, Comcast invests in and partners with organizations such as Ureeka to provide ongoing mentorship and resources to help small businesses succeed over the long term.

Comcast RISE stands for Representation, Investment, Strength, and Empowerment and is part of Project UP, the company’s comprehensive initiative to advance digital equity and help build a future of unlimited possibilities.

More information and the applications to apply for either the grant program or marketing and technology services are available at www.ComcastRISE.com.