Chase Rewards Main Street Merchants With Grants

Chase’s 2015 Mission Main Street Grants program has come to an end, and the company announced yesterday (Sept. 16) the 20 small businesses that will each be rewarded a $100,000 grant.

More than 30,000 small business owners across the country applied for this year’s program, and more than 1.7 million public votes were cast for participating businesses, a Chase spokesperson confirmed. From the eligible group of SMBs, the 20 recipients were selected by a panel of judges.

[bctt tweet=”Chase awards a total of $2M in grants to 20 SMBs from across the country.”]

“They truly reflect the spirit of this unique program. They also embody the innovation, diversity and strength of America’s small businesses,” Jennifer Piepszak, CEO of Chase Business Banking, said in a post on LinkedIn about the recipients.

Chase announced the launch of its 2015 Mission Main Street Grants program back in May, which kicked off National Small Business Week, with a plan to provide an eventual $2 million in grants to standout companies.

“Our Mission Main Street Grant recipients have become part of the Chase family,” Piepszak said in a press release for the program launch earlier this year.

“Their energy, spirit, enthusiasm and business acumen represent the core elements that make small businesses so important to our communities,” Piepszak added.

To qualify for grant consideration through the program, the businesses were required to have fewer than 100 employees and receive at least 250 public votes by June 19.

The 20 chosen recipients will not only receive a $100,000 grant but will also be awarded a trip to LinkedIn’s headquarters in California.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, so we’re pleased to join forces with Chase to help this community of professionals achieve their business goals,” Jennifer Grazel, director of global vertical marketing and marketing solutions at LinkedIn, said in the press release back in May.

“As a professional platform, we have unique insights into how SMBs can creatively leverage social media to gain real traction and grow their businesses one follower at a time.”



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