In celebration of Small Business Week, submissions for the 2026 AT&T Small Business Contest open on May 1. The contest returns for its fourth year with the mission to spotlight small businesses driving change in their communities. Small business owners can apply for a chance to win a grand prize of $50,000 to invest in their business as well as an opportunity to connect with a community of small business owners and access tools and resources designed to help them grow. Additionally, four contest finalists will receive $5,000 each to support their operations.
Applications open starting May 1 through July 31 at att.com/shesconnected, where rules, terms and conditions can be found.
“As we celebrate National Small Business Week, AT&T remains focused on being a trusted partner to small businesses year‑round—helping them harness the power of connection to grow and succeed,” said Shelley Goodman, SVP, Mid‑Markets Sales at AT&T Business. “For 150 years, we’ve seen how connecting changes everything and helps small businesses move further, faster. The AT&T Small Business Contest has grown over four years into a thriving network of entrepreneurs creating real change in their communities. It supports those building opportunity with the visibility, tools and backing needed to bring what’s next to life.”
AT&T Business Brings Enterprise-Trusted Cybersecurity Protection to Small and Medium-Sized Businesses
AT&T Business continues to deliver innovative products designed to help small business owners stay connected, protected and grow with confidence. On May 4, AT&T Dynamic Defense® will be available on AT&T Business Fiber, making cybersecurity more accessible for small and medium‑sized businesses. The network‑embedded solution delivers proactive protection built directly into AT&T’s fiber network. It helps block cyber threats before they disrupt operations, without requiring additional hardware or adding operational complexity.
In recognition of National Small Business Week, eligible new AT&T Business Fiber customers can receive two months of Dynamic Defense free starting May 4 when subscribing to an Advanced or Premium plan.
She’s Connected by AT&T: New Episode Featuring Women’s Basketball Star, Flau’jae Johnson
Beyond technology, AT&T is also focused on connecting business owners and athletes to greater possibility by elevating their entrepreneurial journeys. AT&T Small Business Contest winners will be featured in an episode of She’s Connected by AT&T, a docu-style series now in its sixth season that highlights women breaking barriers across sports and business and paving the way for the next generation.
The most recent episode features Flau’jae Johnson, former Louisiana State University Tigers shooting guard, 2023 National Champion and first-round pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft, playing for the Seattle Storm. In her episode, Flau’jae shares the pressures she faces, what it takes to run her own production company, the launch of a youth resource center in her hometown, Savannah, Georgia and how she’s intentionally building something bigger than a career in sports.
2025 AT&T Small Business Contest Winner: Nourish + Bloom
In January, AT&T announced the winner of the 2025 AT&T Small Business Contest: Nourish + Bloom Market, the first autonomous grocery store with robotic delivery in the U.S. and the first AI-powered grocery store to accept EBT/SNAP benefits. Nourish + Bloom Market was selected from a strong group of finalists, including Bold Crumb House, Sensori, SOJO Coffee Company and The Blueprint University—all recognized for their community impact and commitment to growth and meaningful change.
Learn more about the AT&T Small Business Contest and how to apply at att.com/shesconnected.
Source: https://about.att.com/story/2026/att-small-business-contest.html
