Comcast – via Comcast Rise – has set a course to award grant packages to 100 small businesses in Memphis and Shelby County. Those selected will be in line for business consultation services, educational resources, a $5,000 monetary grant, marketing support, and a technology makeover.
Comcast RISE stands for Representation, Investment, Strength and Empowerment. It was created in November 2020 to help small businesses – from bakeries and barber shops to childcare centers and cleaning services – hardest hit by COVID-19. The program is evolving from helping businesses survive the pandemic to helping businesses and their communities thrive with a focus on economic growth.
“Comcast is committed to elevating its positive impact in the Memphis community,” said Jason Gumbs, Regional SVP at Comcast. “The Comcast RISE program will continue to strengthen and empower the region’s small businesses, with a focus on diversity, inclusion and community investment.”
Beginning June 1 through June 30, eligible small businesses in Memphis will be able to apply for the Comcast RISE program at www.ComcastRISE.com.
Memphis is one of five cities selected by Comcast to award the grant packages. The new recipients will join 13,000 entrepreneurs nationwide chosen as Comcast RISE awardees since the program launch in late 2020. There have been 105 previous winners in Memphis.
Comcast is also awarding five, $20,000 grants to Memphis and Shelby County non-profit partners to support the RISE program and local businesses in the area.
The non-profits are the Mid-South Minority Business Council Continuum, Epicenter, Black Business Association of Memphis, Memphis Urban League, and the Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis. Each is on board to help amplify the program and increase the number of applications in Memphis.
“Small businesses are the lifeblood of the Memphis economy, which is why we couldn’t be more thrilled to work alongside Comcast to expand its RISE program for our community,” said Ted Townsend, president and CEO of the Greater Memphis Chamber.
“As the former founder of a startup who now heads an organization whose makeup is 90 percent small businesses, I know the tremendous impact this $1 million could have on Memphis. This is a barrier-breaking, gap-bridging investment by Comcast that will help us continue to build a greater Memphis for all.”
Grant packages will include:
Consultation
Assessment of business and tactical planning; business-to-business coaching; and mentorship to advise on how to grow business.
Education resources
Educational content and resources tailored to individual companies based on where they are in their business lifecycle.
Monetary grant
$5,000 monetary grant to invest in growth and sustainability.
Creative production & media
Turnkey production of a 30-second TV commercial, plus a media strategy consultation and 180-day media placement schedule.
Technology makeover
Computer equipment and Internet, Voice and Cybersecurity services for 12 months. (Taxes and other fees may still apply for tech makeover services.)
Through the Comcast RISE program, all recipients will receive a monthly newsletter that includes educational content. In addition, any small business owner 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 RISE is part of Project UP, the company’s initiative to advance digital equity and help build a future of unlimited possibilities.
(For more information on eligibility requirements and how to apply for the grant program, www.ComcastRISE.com.)
