Comcast RISE Program Expands to Include Women-Owned Businesses in Initiative to Advance Digital Equity
February 23, 2022
Comcast RISE, which stands for Representation, Investment, Strength, and Empowerment, has recently expanded its eligibility to include all women-owned businesses.
Launched in 2021 as part of Comcast’s Project UP, its comprehensive initiative to advance digital equity and help provide underrepresented small business owners with access to digital tools and funding they need to thrive, Comcast RISE initially opened to only racially and ethnically diverse small business owners.
According to a Comcast press release, in its first year alone, Comcast RISE provided more than $60 million in grants, marketing, and technology services to more than 6,700 Black, Indigenous, Hispanic, and Asian American-owned small businesses. Of those businesses, nearly 70% have been owned by women of color, which spurred Comcast to look further into the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs.
“As we continue to rebuild and emerge from the effects of the pandemic, small businesses will continue to be the backbone of our economy – and we must take every opportunity to help them thrive,” said Teresa Ward-Maupin, senior vice president of digital and customer experience at Comcast Business. “Looking forward, this expansion will enable Comcast RISE to further empower and strengthen even more small businesses that are the heart of our local communities across the country.”
To learn more about Comcast RISE and apply, visit ComcastRise.com. Applications for the next round of Comcast RISE Marketing and Technology Services opened on Jan. 16 and will close on June 17.