AT&T Small Business Contest
AT&T
$50,000 (1 winner)
Researched for this program: 6 rejection traps · 7 required documentsWhat decides this award ↓
$50K for the most inspiring US small business
AT&T's annual Small Business Contest awards one US small business a $50,000 grant plus a year of AT&T service and mentorship resources, with four runners-up each receiving $5,000. Now in its fourth year, the contest has awarded funding to 11 small businesses nationwide. Any certified small business with 1–5 locations and up to 99 employees can apply — no demographic restrictions. Judging favors community impact and business resilience.
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- Private
- Amount range
- $5,000 – $50,000
- Realistic amount
- Grand prize is a fixed $50,000; runner-up awards are $5,000 each. Five businesses receive cash grants per cycle.
- Deadline
- The 2026 contest closed July 31, 2026; 2027 dates are not yet posted.
- Status
- between-intakes
- States
- Nationwide
- Payment model
- lump sum
Who qualifies
- Certified small business located in the United States or Puerto Rico
- 1 to 5 business locations
- 99 or fewer full- or part-time employees
- Sole or majority owner of the business
- Legal resident of the fifty US states, DC, or Puerto Rico, and age of majority
- Previous applicants may reapply
- Nonprofits operating a for-profit business may apply if they meet all criteria
Hard requirements
- Max 99 employees
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Business operating expenses
- Equipment and technology upgrades
- Marketing and advertising
- Hiring and payroll
- Inventory and supplies
- Expansion and renovation
Ineligible expenses
- Personal expenses
- Businesses outside the US or Puerto Rico
- Businesses with more than 5 locations or 99 employees
What the AT&T She's Connected contest asks
The 2026 contest (the last day to apply was July 31, 2026) asked for two essays of 750 words or less. From the official rules:
- Develop your 1st unique essay in 750 words or less that details the overall vision / mission of your business, the impact it makes on your community, how receiving $50k would impact your business and how would you use these funds.
- In addition, in 750 words or less, develop a 2nd essay stating how your business embodies Connecting Changes Everything.
AT&T has not announced a 2027 contest. Use the Watch box below to get one email when it opens. Source: the 2026 She's Connected official contest rules (more.att.com/shesconnected).
How to apply
-
1
Submit business entry online
Visit att.com/shesconnected and complete the online entry form describing your business, its impact, and how you would use the grant funds. Business owners may self-enter or be nominated by a consumer on their behalf.
-
2
Judging and semifinalist selection
AT&T reviews all entries. Judging criteria are not published in detail but past winners suggest community impact, business story, and demonstrated resilience are weighted heavily.
-
3
Finalist notification and winner announcement
Winners notified by email. Grand prize and runner-up winners publicly announced by September 30 of the contest year.
Past winners emphasize community story and human impact — not just revenue metrics. Nominations by customers add authenticity. Apply even if your business feels small.
Deadline & timing
The 2026 contest opened May 1 and closed July 31, 2026, and is no longer accepting applications. Winners are notified by September 30, 2026. The 2027 contest has not yet been announced; applications typically open annually each spring.
Not accepting applications right now — get one email when it reopens
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Programs that stack well
Apply-Ready
Looking for more grants to enter?
We don't draft AT&T She's Connected contest applications: its 2026 contest has closed and AT&T hasn't announced another. We do draft these seventeen. Answer a few short questions once and we draft your application from what you tell us: only your facts, with a blank wherever the judges want a detail only you know. You submit it yourself. Six are for women-owned businesses; eleven are open more widely.
You see a free preview first and pay only if you want the full draft: $9 per grant. You can add the other month-end grants you qualify for at $5 each (never more than $15 extra).
For women-owned businesses
- Hey Helen Grant$10,000 monthlyWomen-owned · US · under $1M revenueCloses the last day of every month, 11:59pm ETDraft my applicationit →
- Amber Grant$15,000 monthlyWomen-owned (50%+)Closes the last day of every monthDraft my applicationit →
- HerRise MicroGrant$1,000 monthly51%+ women-owned · US · under $1M revenueCloses the last day of every monthDraft my applicationit →
- Big Idea Grant (YippityDoo)$1,000 monthlyWomen-owned and run · ideas welcomeCloses the last day of every month, 11:59pm PTDraft my applicationit →
- The Hustle Grant$1,000 monthlyWomen-owned · USMonthly; winner named on the 15thDraft my applicationit →
- Tory Burch Foundation Fellows$2,000 + a year's fellowshipWomen-owned · $75K+ revenue · no entry feeFinal deadline November 17, 2026Draft my applicationit →
Open more widely
- Business Freedom Grant$1,000Idea stage welcome · no entry feeReview rounds until the final deadline, December 31, 2026Draft my applicationit →
- IFW Startup Accelerator Grant$5,000Any US owner (50%+) · idea stage welcome · $5 entry feeFinal deadline November 30, 2026Draft my applicationit →
- Seated Together Microgrant$750 ($1,000 veteran-owned)Any US for-profit · startups welcome · $5 entry feeRolling; reviewed each quarterDraft my applicationit →
- Hustler's MicroGrant$1,000 monthlyAny US small-business owner · $15 entry feeMonthly; no published closing dateDraft my applicationit →
- Freed Fellowship$500 monthlyAny US for-profit businessCloses the last day of every monthDraft my applicationit →
- SecretSoS Small Business Grant$2,500 quarterlyWomen-, veteran- or minority-owned, or turned down for a bank loan · USCloses the last day of each quarterDraft my applicationit →
- Hiring Our Heroes Small Business Grant$10,000–$25,000Veteran or military-spouse owned · 3–20 people · no entry feeFinal deadline December 15, 2026Draft my applicationit →
- Sephora Beauty Grant$100,000Beauty brands · $100K+ revenue · 51%+ underrepresented-owned · no entry feeFinal deadline November 6, 2026Draft my applicationit →
- Awesome Foundation Micro-Grant$1,000 monthlyAnyone with a community project · no entry feeRolling; most chapters choose monthlyDraft my applicationit →
- Outta Excuses Grant$3,000 quarterlyRegistered LLC · under $500K revenue · $15 entry feeFinal deadline December 31, 2026Draft my applicationit →
- Thiel Fellowship$250,000 over 2 yearsAge 22 or under · no university degree · no entry feeRolling; open all yearDraft my applicationit →
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