In celebration of National Small Business Week and Verizon Small Business Days, Verizon awarded 25 Hispanic small businesses $10,000 grants to drive digital acceleration.
Through Verizon Small Business Digital Ready, a free online resource focused on helping small businesses achieve success in today’s digital economy, and in partnership with Next Street and Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), these grants will allow companies to invest in upgrading their technology, advancing their marketing, or supporting operational costs such as employee wages, rent, and more.
“Hispanic small business owners are continuously reinventing themselves through technology, and the data from our study proves this,” said Aparna Khurjekar, Chief Revenue Officer, Business Markets & SaaS at Verizon Business. “Between the direct partnership with our customer-facing teams of digital experts in their community, the grants for these deserving businesses, and the access to information and mentorship we provide online through our Digital Ready program, we are thrilled to support their continued growth.”
Highlighting the priorities, opportunities, successes, and challenges that Hispanic small businesses face, Verizon Business also released the findings of its latest study, Verizon Business’ Hispanic Small Business Report, conducted by Morning Consult. Five hundred Hispanic small business owners across the country responded to survey questions involving the adoption of technology, desire for advice and assistance, and economic outlook of Hispanic small business owners.
Technology Adoption
- Nearly three out of four (74%) Hispanic small businesses have leveraged digital tools and technologies to make money over the past three years.
- Over one-third (41%) of respondents have implemented new technology to solve worker shortages.
- Over the past year, nearly half (47%) have transitioned to a digital-first operation.
- Nearly two-thirds (65%) are concerned about ensuring the security of online and digital transactions.
Beyond the $250,000 in grant funding provided to Hispanic-owned small businesses, Verizon offers another round of grant funding available to small business owners from all backgrounds through Verizon Small Business Digital Ready. Now through May 12, 2023, small businesses can unlock an application for the new round of grant funding by registering for Verizon Small Business Digital Ready and completing at least two of the following, in any combination: courses, live coaching, or community events. A selection of small businesses that complete the application will be chosen to receive a $10,000 grant.
Verizon Small Business Digital Ready is a free online resource created with and for small businesses, with a specific focus on helping diverse and under-resourced business owners. Small business owners can benefit from access to personalized learning through over 40 courses, mentorship, peer networking, 1:1 expert coaching, and incentives such as grant funding.
For more information on Verizon Business and the offerings available for small business, visit www.verizon.com/business.
Hispanic business owner stock image by Krakenimages.com/Shutterstock
