Studies* show that small businesses owned by people of color, including those owned by Black, Indigenous, Hispanic, and Asian American individuals, among others, have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.
To help, Comcast announced that through the Comcast RISE Investment Fund the Twin Cities is receiving $1 million in grants to give 100 small businesses owned by people of color each $10,000.
Comcast RISE champions Representation, Investment, Strength, and Empowerment for small businesses owned by people of color by providing marketing, technology and capital resources to sustain, support and rebuild communities.
The Comcast RISE Investment Fund is focused on small businesses that have been operating for three or more years with 1-25 employees. Businesses eligible include those in the seven-county Twin Cities metro (Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington Counties).
October 1 through October 14, eligible businesses in the Twin Cities could apply for a $10,000 grant at www.ComcastRISE.com. A total of 100 grants in the Twin Cities will be awarded in late November 2021.
“While we know that no single organization can solve historic and systemic inequities overnight, we are committed to taking tangible actions that can drive long-term impact and change,” said Kalyn Hove, Regional Senior Vice President, Comcast Twin Cities. “Comcast RISE and the Comcast RISE Investment Fund offer the opportunity for small businesses owned by people of color to help grow their businesses, create jobs and play a vital role in supporting our communities. This new round of Comcast RISE grants will provide more entrepreneurs of color with the resources and tools they need to scale their businesses and thrive for years to come.”
Comcast RISE is part of Comcast’s ongoing efforts to advancing digital equity and helping to provide underrepresented small business owners with access to the digital tools and funding they need to thrive.
* Robert W. Fairlie, “The Impact Of Covid-19 On Small
Business Owners: Evidence Of Early-Stage Losses From The
April 2020 Current Population Survey”;
https://www.nber.org/system/files/working_papers/w27309/w2
7309.pdf
** November 30, 2020, “Work and Collaborate Seamlessly from Anywhere with Unified Communications”;
https://business.comcast.com/
community/browse-all/details/work-and-collaborate-seamlessly-from-anywhere-with-unified-communications
