BASKING RIDGE, NJ – Because access to capital is a common challenge for entrepreneurs, Verizon is pleased to announce a new $10,000 grant funding opportunity for small businesses through the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready platform. Announced. Small business owners who sign up to the platform get free, personalized access to over 50 online courses in English and Spanish, mentorship opportunities from industry experts, one-on-one and group expert coaching, virtual and in-person community events, as well as application opportunities. For grant funding.
This program is operated in partnership with Next Street and Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC). To date, Small Business Digital Ready has reached more than 350,000 small businesses nationwide, 51% of which are women-owned and 62% Black or Hispanic-owned.
Until December 13, 2024 at 11:59 PM PT, small businesses can first enroll in the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready portal and complete at least two coaching or community event courses in any combination. You can now unlock applications for this round of grants. July 1, 2024 and December 13, 2024 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time. Small businesses that complete their applications are eligible to be considered for a $10,000 grant.
“Small businesses are the backbone of our communities, and we have a responsibility to help them thrive,” said Verizon Chief Business Officer Donna Epps. “Verizon Small Business Digital Ready was created to advance small business owners through digital skills training. We are excited to bring new grant opportunities to our diverse and growing community of small business owners across the country. We are proud to be able to offer this.”
The platform also launched the ‘Small Business Funding Marketplace’, a repository of open funding and lending opportunities available to small businesses, and also launched ‘Learning Paths’. Learning paths such as “Improve your access to capital” and “Build your own brand” challenge users to complete a series of resources to move closer to achieving their business goals.
Verizon is not a lender or broker. Small Business Funding Marketplace is powered by Next Street Financial LLC. Not all applications will be approved. All financing decisions are made by third party capital providers. Eligibility, requirements, approval, and loan terms vary by loan type, applicant qualifications, and state.
