Rising Tide Capital Awarded $200,000 from the Blackstone Charitable Foundation

Tatyerra SpurlockFebruary 9th, 2016

Blackstone Charitable Foundation to support The Start Something Challenge

New Jersey, February 9, 2016 – Yesterday, The Blackstone Charitable Foundation announced it has awarded Rising Tide Capital (RTC) a $200,000 Blackstone Innovation Grant to fund the programming and expansion of the Start Something Challenge – a statewide initiative across New Jersey for business owners that provides experiential education in technology, social media and marketing.

“Rising Tide Capital is excited to partner with The Blackstone Charitable Foundation on this initiative,” said Rising Tide Co-Founder and COO Alex Forrester. “As technology innovation continues to expand entrepreneurs’ abilities to reach customers and grow their businesses, RTC wants to make sure that these resources are accessible in areas where job creation and economic opportunity can have make a definite impact.”

“Through The Start Something Challenge, participants learn how to communicate about their business idea and leverage digital platforms to reach a wider audience. The support of The Blackstone Charitable Foundation will enable RTC to expand this initiative and bring it within reach of more underserved communities in NJ. We are incredibly grateful for their support,” he added.

For the 2016 Blackstone Innovation Grants, more than four hundred and fifty organizations submitted proposals through a Request for Proposals (RFP) process established by the Foundation for both program and event-focused grants. RTC is one of 13 organizations awarded for innovation in entrepreneurship.

“Over the past four years, the Blackstone Charitable Foundation is proud to support a diverse set of dynamic organizations that complement the work of our Entrepreneurship Initiative and build momentum around entrepreneurship in their regions,” said Amy Stursberg, Executive Director of the Blackstone Charitable Foundation. “This year’s cohort of Blackstone Innovation Grant recipients have already helped hundreds of companies and entrepreneurs to create over 9,000 jobs – we couldn’t be more excited to support them as they continue that work in the year ahead.”

About Rising Tide Capital
Headquartered in Jersey City with offices in Orange and Newark, Rising Tide Capital, Inc. is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization founded with the mission to empower entrepreneurs to create and grow small businesses which transform lives and communities. The organization’s vision is to build a replicable model for high-quality entrepreneurial development services that can be adopted locally in other low-income communities. Learn more at www.RisingTideCapital.org

About the Start Something Challenge
The Start Something Challenge (SSC) is a statewide pitch competition and business strengthening opportunity for New Jersey entrepreneurs. The Challenge is funded by visionary supporters and organized by Rising Tide Capital, a non-profit organization that helps entrepreneurs start and grow successful businesses. To ensure that every participant has a chance to win the $10,000 top prize, Rising Tide Capital provides each entrant with hands-on coaching and mentorship. Free to enter, the competition is open to any New Jersey resident 18 years or older, who operates a microbusiness or has a strong business idea. To learn more, visit www.StartSomethingChallenge.org.

About the Blackstone Charitable Foundation
The Blackstone Charitable Foundation was founded at the time of Blackstone’s IPO in 2007 with substantial commitments from the Firm’s employees. Influenced by the enterprising heritage of the firm and its founders, The Blackstone Charitable Foundation is directing its resources and applying the intellectual capital of the firm to foster entrepreneurship in areas nationwide and globally. Through its investment expertise across several asset classes and geographies, Blackstone has a unique perspective on the global economy and a heightened understanding of how entrepreneurial activity is often the crucial catalyst in the growth of successful businesses, industries and communities. For more information, see http://www.blackstone.com/foundation.

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Tatyerra Spurlock

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