Comcast RISE Awards 100 Houston Small Businesses with Comprehensive Grant Packages

Comcast has announced the selection of 100 small businesses in the Greater Houston area to receive comprehensive grant packages through its RISE program. These grants, valued at over $5,000 each, include business consultation services, educational resources, monetary support, creative production assistance, media scheduling, and technology upgrades.

The recipients in Houston are part of a larger group of over 14,000 entrepreneurs nationwide who have benefited from the Comcast RISE program since its inception. This initiative, which stands for "Representation, Investment, Strength, and Empowerment," was launched in November 2020 to support small businesses struggling due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As the program has evolved, its focus has shifted from pandemic survival to promoting long-term economic growth and community investment. The latest round of grants spans multiple regions, including Atlanta, Jacksonville, Richmond, VA, and southern Colorado, with 100 grants awarded in each city.

Among the Houston recipients are Red Circle Ice Cream in southwest Houston and Miyagi Ken International Karate Academy in Spring. Nickey Ngo, owner of Red Circle Ice Cream, expressed gratitude for the award, stating, "As a small business, this means the world to us. We're a small mom and pop ice cream shop, doing everything by ourselves. I feel like I won the lottery. Comcast RISE will help grow my business and keep up with the competition."

Loren Hudson, SVP and Chief Diversity Officer of Connectivity and Platforms at Comcast, emphasized the importance of supporting small businesses: "By empowering entrepreneurs and small business owners with the skills and resources they need to grow and succeed, we help ensure our local neighborhoods can flourish and thrive too."

The grant packages offered through Comcast RISE are comprehensive, including coaching sessions with business assessments, access to online entrepreneurship courses and learning modules, a $5,000 monetary grant, professionally produced TV commercials with media strategy consultation, and technology upgrades including computer equipment and internet services.

Comcast RISE is part of Project UP, Comcast's broader $1 billion commitment to advance digital equity. This initiative aims to connect people to the internet, promote economic mobility, and create opportunities for the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, and creators.

The impact of these grants extends beyond individual businesses, potentially stimulating economic growth in local communities. By providing resources and support to diverse small business owners, Comcast RISE aims to strengthen the overall business ecosystem in the Greater Houston area and other regions across the United States.

Small business owners interested in learning more about the program can visit the Comcast RISE website for additional information and future application opportunities. The program's continued expansion and evolution demonstrate Comcast's ongoing commitment to supporting small businesses and fostering economic development in diverse communities.