Comcast’s RISE program announces 100 Houston Area Small Businesses getting $500K Boost, Tech Makeovers and More

As Nickey Ngo offers up a freshly made ice cream swirl topped with a still-warm churro, she can’t stop smiling. The hard work and passion she pours into these treats at Red Circle Ice Cream is getting a huge boost. Ngo has just been named one of 2024’s Comcast RISE recipients.

“I feel like I won a gold medal, and I’m not even at the Olympics,” she said while handing a towering ice cream creation to an eager customer.

Red Circle Ice Cream is one of 100 Houston area small businesses getting a boost from Comcast’s RISE program- a national initiative that aims to help small businesses thrive and grow.

This year in southeast Texas, Comcast RISE is giving a total of $500,000 in grants along with technology makeovers, marketing assistance, coaching sessions and education resources. Houston is one of only five cities in the nation chosen for the program this year.

Red Circle Ice Cream is Ngo’s dream, and she works hard for it. She’s the owner, ice cream maker, chief marketing officer and sometimes janitor. An immigrant from Vietnam, Ngo loves to unite people, and says ice cream is the perfect way to do it. Customers from all neighborhoods and backgrounds find themselves connecting over her sweet treats.

“As a small business, this means the world to us. With inflation and more pressure to stay relevant, Comcast RISE will help grow my business and keep up with the competition,” Ngo said.

One hundred Houston area businesses are receiving:

• MONETARY GRANT – $5,000 monetary grant.
• COACHING SESSIONS – General business assessment and coaching that provides business owners with recommendations on how to grow their businesses.
• EDUCATION RESOURCES – 12-month access to online entrepreneurship courses, learning modules and resources for small business owners.
• CREATIVE PRODUCTION & MEDIA – Turnkey production of a 30-second TV commercial, plus a media strategy consultation and 180-day media placement schedule. (Taxes and other fees may apply for production and media services.)
• COMCAST BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY MAKEOVER – Computer equipment, Internet, voice and cybersecurity services for 12 months. (Taxes and other fees may apply for tech makeover services.)

“We know small businesses are the backbone of our economy and are essential to building strong and thriving local communities,” Jose Espinel, Regional Senior Vice President for Comcast Texas, said. “We also know every big business was once a small business.  That’s part of the Comcast story as well, and we believe in investing in the future of Texas.”

The 2024 Comcast RISE recipients are:

• Premier Employment Agency, LLC
• Carson Motors Collision Center
• T-SPA Salon Furniture
• Grand Palace Inn
• Mind Neurology Clinic
• Red Circle Ice Cream
• Alpha-Omega Tire Shop & Auto Ser
• Master Trainer TMR & Associates
• The Burger Daddy
• Sign Here
• Institute for Psychological Services
• Chez Bren Hair Care and Barbershop
• Mo’ Better Brews LLC
• Tomball Family Eye Care
• Gallivant Mawa Ice Cream
• TUBALANCE. COM LLC
• Conquering the Obstacles of Pain
• On the Go GLAM
• Forged Ed, LLC
• Kash-In Learning
• Santander Concepts, LLC
• Collaborate with Christina
• Essence Psychological Health Services
• Central City Co-op
• Texas Insurance and Title Services
• Black Orchids PR
• Debonair Design LLC
• Grace Me Company
• Body & Brain Yoga Tai Chi Conroe
• Blandon Law Firm
• ADIM Media, LLC
• ZENITH TAX AND BUSINESS CONSULTANTS
• Newton Alpha
• SaniMed Science Group
• 1st Source Adjuster School
• Dunn Lightweight LLC
• Nguyen CPA Firm
• Wiwas Tempeh LLC
• American Dream Realty & Other Services
• IS2 LLC
• Chelleellie
• Jimenez Counseling, PLLC
• TA TAX & ACCOUNTING
• Bogart Innovations L.L.C.
• TA Tax & Consulting
• Elation Physical Therapy
• UPhone
• Fort Bend Learning Commons Inc
• Sugar Land Pediatrics
• Tepatitlan, Inc
• Miyagi Ken International Academy
• D. Charles Law Firm, PLLC
• Foster Accounting Firm LLC
• Distinctive Touch Ultrasound
• Luminous Beauty, LLC
• Nara Thai Holdings LLC
• Pacific Star Corporation
• Sacred Spaces and Connections
• BONE-HOUSTON
• B2G Victory LLC
• Speech Time, PLLC
• Gilbert DLG, LLC
• EZ TECHN SOLUTIONS
• Plus8 Construction
• Embrace Therapy Services
• TNR Advisors & Management Consul
• The Rolling Group LLC
• State Line Designs
• TAM Logistics, LLC
• Issentials
• C&P Bookkeeping and Taxes
• Koffeteria
• HJ Staffing
• Filla Trucking LLC
• IBII
• EM Professional Services LLC
• Brian Vogel Photography
• Olde Towne Kolaches
• Symantech Inc
• Experiences By Taylor Brione
• Like Minds Communications
• Snowie Texas
• Meek’s Vegan Pizza
• Star Sailor
• Honesty Construction Group
• Haus of Innergy
• GreenTek Solutions, LLC
• Arlene Lollie & Associates LLC
• Katy Premier Primary Care
• Taqueria Monchys
• Houston Behavioral Health, PLLC
• Julio Calle Insurance Agency Inc
• All The Feels
• Supreme Sandwiches
• BrightMind Consulting Group
• Datamatix, Inc.
• Hustle & Hope LLC
• B’ Royal Consulting Services
• ABC Accounting & Financial Services
• Mmm’Met Cakes LLC

To find Comcast RISE recipients in your area, check out the map of small businesses here.

Comcast RISE is part of Project UP, Comcast’s initiative to promote digital equity and economic mobility. Now in its fourth year, the program has distributed more than $140 million in grants to 14,000 small businesses nationwide. To learn more about Comcast RISE, click here.