Comcast RISE program awards 100 Allegheny County businesses $10,000 grants

Philadelphia-based Comcast announced it had awarded $1 million in grants to 100 Allegheny County small businesses owned by women and people of color Tuesday.

Part of the Comcast RISE program, which provides marketing, technology, and capital support to small business owners, the recipient businesses are among the more than 9,500 small businesses nationwide that have been selected to participate in the program.

“Congratulations to the small businesses which will be receiving grants through the Comcast RISE Investment Fund,” said County Executive Rich Fitzgerald. “It’s no secret that the pandemic impacted our small businesses the most, and we thank Comcast for recognizing their challenges and the need with this program. Thanks to these resources, we look forward to having these entrepreneurs as part of our community for years to come.”

Launched in 2020, Comcast RISE and the Comcast RISE Investment Fund were initially started as a way to help small business owners of color hit by the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. In November 2021, the program expanded to include women-owned small businesses.

“The Pittsburgh businesses who benefit from Comcast’s $1 million in grants are hard-working, vital contributors to our community,” said Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey. “These grants are investments for our future and are key to helping transform Pittsburgh and create new pathways to prosperity and a thriving city.”

So far, the Comcast RISE and Comcast RISE Investment Fund has provided more than $16 million in grants and $75 million in in-kind support to small businesses in 704 cities in 37 states. The company said that by the end of the year, the program will have provided grants or resources to more than 13,000 businesses.