Comcast RISE
Comcast NBCUniversal
$5K cash + in-kind pkg
Cash + media + tech for local SMBs
Comcast RISE (Representation, Investment, Strength, and Empowerment) provides $5,000 cash grants plus non-cash marketing, technology, and business support packages to small businesses in selected Comcast service markets. Launched in November 2020 to help minority- and women-owned businesses recover from COVID-19, the program has since expanded to support all small businesses in eligible markets. Over five years it distributed a total of $160 million in support to 14,500 small businesses (Comcast, August 2025).
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- Private
- Amount
- $5,000
- Realistic amount
- $5,000 cash (all winners receive the same flat amount). The non-cash package — including Comcast Advertising media buys, Effectv advertising production, and technology from Comcast Business — has been described by past recipients as the more impactful component, with estimated service values ranging from $20K to $30K depending on the specific package awarded.
- Deadline
- The 2025 RISE window ran May 1-31, 2025; comcastrise.com now redirects to Comcast's Project UP page and no 2026 cycle was found.
- Status
- between-intakes
- States
- Nationwide
- Payment model
- lump sum
Who qualifies
- Business must be located within a Comcast-designated eligible market for the current cycle (markets rotate — confirm on comcastrise.com when a cycle opens)
- Business must have been in operation for at least 1 year at the time of application
- Business must qualify as a small business (Comcast uses the SBA definition — typically fewer than 500 employees)
- For-profit businesses are the primary target; eligibility for nonprofits is unconfirmed
- Program originally prioritized minority-owned, women-owned, and small businesses impacted by COVID-19; later cycles opened to all qualifying small businesses in eligible markets
- Applicant must be the business owner or authorized representative
- Must be a Comcast Business customer or willing to become one is not stated as a requirement (program is open to all businesses in the market, not just Comcast customers)
Hard requirements
- Must be incorporated
- Demographic eligibility: minority-owned
- Requires federal certification:
- Restricted to specific NAICS codes:
Is the Comcast RISE legit?
Yes. Comcast ran it as part of Project UP, with $5,000 grants in 2025, its fifth year. We found no 2026 round, and its old website now redirects to Project UP.
- Who runs it: Comcast, as part of Project UP
- 2025 grants: $5,000 for each recipient
- Last window: May 1 to 31, 2025, in five regions
Sources: corporate.comcast.com · page 2. Last checked at the funder on October 18, 2026.
Past Comcast RISE winners
Some 2025 recipients:
- Third Coast Comedy Club, Nashville, TN · 2025 cohort (announced August 19, 2025)
- Voces De Nashville, Nashville, TN · 2025 cohort (announced August 19, 2025)
- Neely's Nashville, Nashville, TN · 2025 cohort (announced August 19, 2025)
Names as published by Comcast (source). GrantCompass is not affiliated with Comcast.
New grants like this every week: see this week's list or get it by email on Mondays.
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- The $5,000 cash grant is unrestricted — any legitimate business expense
- Working capital and operating costs
- Marketing and advertising (supplemented by the in-kind media package)
- Equipment purchases and technology upgrades (supplemented by the in-kind tech package)
- Inventory and supplies
- Staffing and payroll
- Professional services
- The in-kind marketing package covers: Comcast Advertising TV spots, Effectv advertising production services, digital advertising placements
- The in-kind technology package covers: Comcast Business internet, voice, or TV services; technology consultation and setup
Ineligible expenses
- No published list of ineligible expenses for the cash grant portion
- The in-kind services packages are non-transferable and tied to Comcast and NBCUniversal service delivery — they cannot be redeemed as cash equivalents or converted to purchases from other vendors
How to apply
-
1
Confirm market eligibility
Before applying, verify your business address falls within the eligible Comcast market for the current cycle. Markets change each cycle and are announced in the press release opening applications. Past markets have included Atlanta, Houston, Jacksonville, Richmond, Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia, and Seattle — not all markets are eligible every cycle.
~15 min
-
2
Create an account on comcastrise.com
Register on the Comcast RISE portal and create a business profile. You will need basic business information: legal business name, DBA (if applicable), business address, phone, and website.
~30 min
-
3
Complete the business questionnaire
Answer questions about your business — industry, years in operation, employee count, and a short description of your business and its community impact. Prior cycles have emphasized how the business contributes to its local community and what makes it distinctive.
~1 hrs
-
4
Submit a short video pitch (prior cycle requirement)
Several prior cycles required a 1–3 minute video introducing yourself and your business. The video does not need professional production — authenticity and passion matter more than polish. Check current cycle terms on comcastrise.com, as the video requirement has varied by cycle.
~2 hrs
-
5
Submit application before cycle close
Applications have historically closed 30 days after opening. The 2024 window was May 1–31. Submit all required materials before the deadline. No application fee. Winners are typically announced 2–3 months after the close of the application window.
~30 min
The $5,000 cash grab gets headlines, but the non-cash package (Effectv TV/digital media production and buys) can represent $20K–$30K in services. The program rotates markets each cycle — if your market is selected, treat the 30-day window as urgent. As of May 2026 the program appears between cycles or winding down post its $160M five-year commitment; monitor comcastrise.com for any new cycle announcement.
Deadline & timing
Comcast RISE has historically run one cohort per year with a ~30-day application window (typically April–June). The program committed to distributing ~$140M through 2026; that commitment appears to have been fulfilled ($160M documented). As of May 2026 no active application window or 2025/2026 cycle announcement has been confirmed. Monitor comcastrise.com or Comcast press releases for any new cycle announcement.
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Last updated October 22, 2026. GrantCompass is an independent funding-discovery tool and is not affiliated with any government agency. Always confirm details on the official program page.