Boston, August 20, 2025
News Summary
Comcast has unveiled plans to distribute 500 grant packages to small business entrepreneurs across five U.S. regions, including Boston, Grand Rapids, Nashville, Seattle, and South Valley. Each grant includes a technology makeover, creative production, educational resources, a $5,000 monetary grant, and consulting services. This initiative is part of Comcast RISE, which aims to enhance digital capabilities and support local economies. The grant packages are set to be awarded in September 2025, continuing Comcast’s commitment to small businesses and their growth.
Boston, MA — Comcast announced the award of 500 new grant packages to small business entrepreneurs across five U.S. regions, with packages scheduled to be distributed in September 2025. The regions included in this round are Boston, MA; Grand Rapids, MI; Nashville, TN; Seattle, WA; and South Valley, UT. Each selected business will receive a bundled support package designed to strengthen digital capabilities and marketing reach.
What the grants include
Each of the 500 awardees will receive a comprehensive support package that includes:
- Technology makeover powered by Comcast Business to upgrade digital infrastructure and services.
- Creative production and a media schedule provided by Comcast Advertising to help businesses reach customers through advertising and media planning.
- Educational resources aimed at improving digital skills and business operations.
- $5,000 monetary grant to support operating costs, investment, or growth activities.
- Business consultation services to provide guidance and strategy support.
Key facts and claimed roles
The announcement identifies Comcast Business as the partner delivering the technology makeovers and Comcast Advertising as the unit handling creative and media scheduling. Comcast describes Comcast Business as a major provider to small businesses and presents Comcast Advertising as a media and technology resource to connect brands with audiences; these descriptions are reported as company claims within the announcement.
Context within Comcast programs
The awards are part of Comcast RISE, a program now in its fifth year. Comcast RISE is itself a component of Project UP, a broader Comcast commitment described as a $1 billion initiative focused on connecting people, expanding digital opportunities, and supporting economic mobility. Since its launch, Comcast RISE has delivered a reported $160 million in support to approximately 14,500 small businesses nationwide.
Impact and local response
The initiative highlights the stated importance of small businesses to local economies. Company leadership summarized the program’s role in supporting entrepreneurship and local communities and framed the grants as tools to help businesses compete in a digital economy. Local recipients in Nashville provided statements of gratitude and described how the assistance would affect their operations and community contributions, with many noting improvements in marketing reach and digital service delivery as expected outcomes.
How this award round fits previous efforts
Comcast RISE has operated multiple rounds of grants and services since its inception, distributing technology upgrades, marketing help, and financial support to small business owners. This latest round of 500 packages continues the program’s stated goal of addressing digital and promotional gaps that small businesses face, particularly in underserved communities.
Selection and timing
The announcement specifies that the 500 grant packages will be awarded in September 2025. Detailed selection criteria, applicant pools, and regional breakdowns of the 500 awards were not included in the announcement.
Next steps and what to expect
Recipients will receive coordinated support packages combining technology, media, education, consulting, and a cash grant. Businesses receiving assistance are expected to implement upgrades and marketing plans with the help of Comcast Business and Comcast Advertising resources. The announcement does not provide a public timetable for future application rounds or additional geographic expansion beyond the five named regions.
Background: small business emphasis and program totals
The initiative reiterates the long-standing argument that small businesses are central to economic activity and community vitality. Comcast RISE’s cumulative figures — $160 million in support and 14,500 businesses served — were presented as measures of the program’s scale through its first five years.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Comcast RISE?
Comcast RISE is a program that provides technology upgrades, marketing support, education, consulting, and cash grants to small businesses. The program is now in its fifth year and forms part of Comcast’s broader Project UP initiative.
How many grants were announced and where are they going?
Comcast announced 500 grant packages to entrepreneurs in five U.S. regions: Boston, MA; Grand Rapids, MI; Nashville, TN; Seattle, WA; and South Valley, UT. The packages will be awarded in September 2025.
What does each grant package include?
Each award includes a technology makeover from Comcast Business, creative production and a media schedule from Comcast Advertising, educational resources, a $5,000 monetary grant, and business consultation services.
How much support has Comcast RISE provided so far?
Since launch, Comcast RISE has reported delivering $160 million in support to about 14,500 small businesses nationwide.
Were recipient reactions included in the announcement?
Yes. The announcement summarized reactions from individual recipients in Nashville who expressed gratitude and described anticipated benefits for their businesses and communities.
How can businesses apply for future rounds?
The announcement did not include application instructions or timelines for future rounds. Interested businesses should seek official program communications for application details when they become available.
Quick reference table
| Region | Award Date | Package Components | Monetary Grant | Number of Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston, MA | September 2025 | Technology makeover, creative production & media schedule, education, consulting | $5,000 | Part of 500 total |
| Grand Rapids, MI | September 2025 | Technology makeover, creative production & media schedule, education, consulting | $5,000 | Part of 500 total |
| Nashville, TN | September 2025 | Technology makeover, creative production & media schedule, education, consulting | $5,000 | Part of 500 total |
| Seattle, WA | September 2025 | Technology makeover, creative production & media schedule, education, consulting | $5,000 | Part of 500 total |
| South Valley, UT | September 2025 | Technology makeover, creative production & media schedule, education, consulting | $5,000 | Part of 500 total |
| Program totals | Ongoing | $160 million delivered to date; technology + marketing + grants | $5,000 per award | 14,500 businesses served to date; 500 in this round |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Comcast to Award 500 Grants to Entrepreneurs
Comcast RISE to Award 500 New Grants to Small Businesses
Massachusetts Small Businesses Face Financial Struggles
Massachusetts Invests in Small Business Growth
Additional Resources
- Comcast Commitment to American Small Business Growth
- Comcast Awards Grant Packages in Nashville, TN
- Comcast Awards 500 Grant Packages Nationwide
- Meet Small Business Owners Receiving Comcast RISE Grant
- Comcast Awards Grant Packages in Grand Rapids, MI
- Wikipedia: Small Business
- Google Search: Comcast RISE
- Google Scholar: Comcast Small Business Grants
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Small Business
- Google News: Comcast RISE
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BOSTON STAFF WRITER The BOSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBoston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Boston, Suffolk County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Boston Marathon, Head of the Charles Regatta, and Boston Harborfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Massachusetts, plus leading businesses in finance, biotech, and insurance that power the local economy such as Fidelity Investments, Biogen, and Liberty Mutual Insurance. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Massachusetts's dynamic landscape.
