Chase Offers Small Businesses a Chance at $250,000 and a Trip to Google Winners of the Mission Main Street Grants program will each receive a $250,000 grant and a two-day trip to Google's headquarters for a small-business marketing workshop.

By Catherine Clifford

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Chase

Money can't fix everything, but if you're a small-business owner, an extra $250,000 can't hurt.

Chase launched a contest today that offers a dozen small businesses the chance at a $250,000 grant, a new Chromebook Pixel laptop and two days of marketing and business development help from the experts at Google, according to a blog post written by Jon Kaplan, Google's vice president of U.S. sales and operations. Google is the lead sponsor on the contest.

The program, called Mission Main Street Grants, is open to businesses that have been open for at least two years and have less than 100 full-time, year-round employees. Applications are due by the end of the October at which point applicants will have until November 15 to gather 250 digital Facebook "votes" to be entered into the competition.

From there, a panel of small-business experts, including executives from Chase and Google in addition to representatives from business organizations such as the U.S. Chamber and the National Federation of Independent Business, will select the 12 winners. The final grants will be announced in January of 2014.

To apply, a business owner has to compose five essays, answering questions like, "What inspired you to get started?", "How is your business involved with the community?" and "What would you do with $250,000?" The grants are not available to nonprofits.

Related: How to Brand Yourself to Lead a Happier Life

Catherine Clifford

Senior Entrepreneurship Writer at CNBC

Catherine Clifford is senior entrepreneurship writer at CNBC. She was formerly a senior writer at Entrepreneur.com, the small business reporter at CNNMoney and an assistant in the New York bureau for CNN. Clifford attended Columbia University where she earned a bachelor's degree. She lives in Brooklyn, N.Y. You can follow her on Twitter at @CatClifford.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Business News

Here Are the 10 Highest-Paying Jobs with the Lowest Risk of Being Replaced By AI: 'Safest Jobs Right Now'

A new report from career resources platform Resume Genius finds the top 10 AI-proof careers expected to see the most growth within the next decade.

Science & Technology

How I Went From Side Hustle to 7 Figures Using These 4 AI Tools (No Tech Skills Needed)

Scale faster, work less and grow a 7-figure business — no team needed.

Health & Wellness

How Mastering Your Nervous System Boosts Leadership Presence and Performance

Discover a modern leadership system designed to boost your effectiveness, reduce stress and bring more clarity and joy to how you lead.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Real Estate

Why Buying a 'Second Home' First is the New Way to Build Wealth — and Enjoy Free Vacations

The dream of owning a home has never felt more out of reach. So, a growing number of aspiring homeowners are making an unconventional choice.