Small Business Funding

Applications for KKR Small Business Builders Are Now Open!

September 3, 2021
2 min read

What would a $10,000 grant mean for your small business and the community it serves? 

That’s what we want to know from anyone applying to the $10,000 KKR Small Business Builders program, now accepting applications for Round 6.

Launched in the early days of the pandemic, the program was created as a key pillar of KKR’s COVID-19 Relief Effort. The idea is to support small business owners around the world as they recover from the pandemic and build toward a better future.

All small business owners are encouraged to apply, but judges will emphasize companies that have pivoted their business in response to the pandemic, are operated by New Majority owners, and provide important community services.

If selected, you will receive a $10,000 grant as well as mentoring and coaching opportunities with KKR employees. Everyone who applies receives free access to the thousands of curated resources and a community of 400,000+ small business owners on Hello Alice.

To qualify for the KKR Small Business Builders program, you must:

  • Operate in the United States, United Arab Emirates, Spain, Singapore, Luxembourg, Japan, Ireland, India, Germany, France, England, China, or Australia
  • Be a for-profit business
  • Have 5–50 employees
  • Have generated annual gross revenues in 2019 of less than $7 million
  • Have a demonstrated need for support
  • Propose a strong plan for moving forward

Hundreds of small business owners have already been named recipients in Rounds 1–5 of the program. Ranging from healthcare providers to children’s gyms and comedy clubs, these recipients are using the funds to further their missions and serve their communities.

Vivian Ross, owner of Elephant in the Room Counseling Services in Augusta, Georgia, says she will use the $10,000 to create jobs and tailor her offerings to better serve clients. 

“I started my private practice because, working in other agencies, I noticed that people of color rarely come in to seek counseling services,” Ross says. “I wanted to provide a safe space for anyone to receive the mental health counseling they need. The role I play in my community is to assist others in any way I can to teach anyone how to live a better healthier life. [This $10,000 grant will allow us] to continue to pay our staff, for marketing, and to create a new case management position so we can actually go to the homes to provide services for children.” 

Do you think that this grant could take your business to the next level? Applications for Round 6 of the program are now open through October 15, 2021, at 6 p.m. ET!

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