A local healthcare provider, a children’s gym, and a comedy club: These are just a few of the hundreds of businesses represented among the first six rounds of recipients from the KKR Small Business, one of a number of grant programs undertaken by the Global Entrepreneurship Network to provide direct support to entrepreneurs impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and other significant challenges.
Created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the KKR program includes a $10,000 grant, mentoring and coaching opportunities with KKR employees, resources and online community through Hello Alice, as well as access to the Global Entrepreneurship Network. Small businesses in countries around the world are eligible, with preference given to those pivoting in response to the pandemic or providing vital community services.
One of the most recent recipients of this program Ming Thompson, the co-founder of Atelier Cho Thompson. Founded by two women of color, the architecture firm combines traditional architecture principles with interior design, graphic design, and strategy to build community and create a work environment friendly to working mothers.
“In 2020, we were focused on survival,” Thompson says. “When the majority of our projects were canceled or went on hold at the start of the pandemic, we quickly and nimbly figured out how to keep the company afloat and our employees taken care of. Now, in 2021, our focus is on building a well-established and resilient company for the future.”
She says the $10,000 grant will allow them to take things to the next level and bid for bigger projects in New York that will boost their reputation.
Still, the Global Entrepreneurship Network, KKR and Hello Alice recognize that the COVID-19 pandemic is not over, and the road to recovery is long. In response, our partners at KKR have pledged additional funding to support small businesses with more rounds of grant funding.
“KKR is honored to expand our partnership with Hello Alice and the Global Entrepreneurship Network to continue supporting small businesses as they recover and build resiliency,” said Joe Bae and Scott Nuttall, co-presidents and co-chief operating officers of KKR. “We plan to continue our KKR Relief Effort programs to spur global economic recovery and nurture the high-impact organizations and businesses playing a critical role in rebuilding and strengthening our communities.”
Check out the full list of Round 6 recipients below. Recipients of Rounds 1-5 can be found here.
Round 6 Recipients
Amanda Gilchrist
Designed By Purpose Counseling & Consulting | Aiken, SC
Anietra LaBranche
The Inferno Barre and Dance Studio | Chicago, IL
Antoine Hutchinson
Fabpro Technologies | Baltimore, MD
Candice Norris
Shabu Plus | Washington, D.C.
Chantel Bratcher-Coleman
Shaping Minds Therapy | Newark, DE
Cheing Winston
Personfinances4us | Baltimore, MD
Cindy Graham
Brighter Hope Wellness Center | Clarksville, MD
Sandra Griffiths
Yoga Angels | Beverly Hills, CA
Debra Stirone
Gourmet Goodies | Mendon, NY
Deep Patel
OCA Mocha | Arbutus, MD
Deuene Hickman
Quality of Life Counseling Center | Hampton, VA
Faryal Rohail
WASE | London, United Kingdom
Huan Sun
Catonsville Happy Feet | Catonsville, MD
Jauvon Gilliam
Capitol Percussion + Backline Rentals | Riverdale, MD
Joel Cosme, Jr.
Community Grounds Coffee & Meeting House | Columbus, OH
Jon Renthrope
Cajun Fire Brewing Company | New Orleans, LA
Joseph Burgess
Queer Bar | Seattle, WA
Kathy Jo Miller Taylor
KJ’s Cakery Bakery | Kent, WA
Kelly Smith
Minni | Boston MA
Kenneth Ekechukwu
Axo Rock Kitchen & Lounge | El Paso TX
Lesia Daniel
Funtime Preschool of Clinton | Clinton, MS
Lisamarie Smith
Carpe Bleu’s Catering | Sacramento, CA
Lois Baker
Sweet Sosumba Vegan Cafe | Washington, D.C.
Means Cameron
blaCk Coffee Lounge | Cincinnati, OH
Melissa Eisner
Coffee Bandits | Merced, CA
Meredith Kaunitz
Art. Play. Learn. | Bowie, MD
Michael Bailey
Industry Soundz | Blue Springs, MO
Ming Thompson
Atelier Cho Thompson | New Haven, CT
Natalie Salinas
Olde Madrid | Racine, WI
Nathaniel DeMont
DeMont Guitars | Oswego, IL
Nicole Davidson
Batter Bar | Lynchburg, VA
Noel Davis
Paris Fit Studios | Philadelphia, PA
Nyshia Cook
NC Music Center | Charlotte, NC
Patrick Schnettler
12 Tides | San Francisco, CA
Perrin Chipouras
Orange Poppy Spa | Boulder, CO
Scott Proctor
East Side Pot Shop | Austin, TX
Shaunya Noble
Pastaholics | Lithia Springs, GA
Ticora Elaine Davis
The Creator’s Law Firm | Charlotte, NC
Tiffany Perkins
Plant Perks | Missoula, MT
Michael Davis
Good Vibes | Country Club Hills, IL
Twyla Grider
Stellar Creative Collective | Union City, NJ
Tyrell Timpson
Macon Progress Basketball | Beaverton, OR
Ulysses Marcelino
Excel Taekwondo Center | Canoga Park, CA
Uzonna Mkparu
Sun Group Energy | Seekonk, MA
Venus Barratt
The Wellness Kitchen of Warrenton, VA | Warrenton, VA
Vinessa Dickson
The Star Look | Decatur, GA
Willie Robinson
Chi-Town Cuts and Fades | Los Angeles, CA