National Urban League is partnering with Google to provide Black-owned small and medium businesses with Nest devices, services, and business training

By National Urban League
Published06 PM EST, Wed Nov 20, 2024

The National Urban League is partnering with Google Nest to provide select Black-owned small and medium businesses with free Google Nest Storefront Kits, services, and training. This initiative is designed to create economic opportunity for our communities by supporting safer, more efficient businesses through helpful Nest products and Grow with Google training.

1. Program Overview

This program will support Black-owned businesses operating storefronts, food trucks, commercial office spaces, or customer-accessible home offices.

Urban League is administering this program. Google is providing the products and free installation for the hardware, as well as providing access to free, online training that helps small businesses learn new digital tools to grow their business through Grow with Google.

Google is a trademark of Google LLC.

2. Fast Facts

WHO: Black, small and medium-sized business owners operating in Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Cincinnati, Houston, Jacksonville, Washington DC, Philadelphia, Louisiana, Las Vegas metropolitan areas. Eligibility requirements outlined below.

WHAT: FREE Google Nest Storefront Kits (NSKs) which includes a combination of: 3 Nest Cam Indoor cameras, 1 Nest Hub (2nd gen) smart display, 1 Nest Thermostat and a free 12-month subscription of the Nest Aware service. Together, these products can help your business increase office security, save energy, and run more efficiently.

BONUS: Google will provide free installation for the hardware, as well as access to free, online training that helps small businesses learn new digital tools to grow their business through Grow with Google.

3. Program Features & Benefits

Google will provide eligible Black-owned businesses with Google Nest Storefront Kits (GNSKs) which includes a combination of: 3 Nest Cam Indoor cameras, 1 Nest Hub (2nd gen) smart display, 1 Nest Thermostat and a free one-year subscription to Nest Aware. Eligibility requirements outlined below.

Nest Cam Indoor helps you look after your business with 24/7 live streaming and intelligent alerts through Nest Aware. The Nest Thermostat can help you save energy and money by turning down your heating and cooling system when no one is there and notifying you if something doesn’t seem right with it. And Nest Hub brings it all together seamlessly, letting you manage your devices and see important information all in one place

Google is also providing free hardware installation, as well as a year of complimentary access to Grow with Google, online training that helps small and medium businesses learn new digital tools to grow.

Together, these products and services can let you know and help you respond to what’s happening in your establishments, both on-site and remotely. So your business can grow and thrive.

4. Product Descriptions

Google Nest Cam Indoor – A smart WiFi security video camera for monitoring your business. It has high quality 1080p HD video, night vision, and a speaker and microphone. Nest Cam looks for motion and listens for sounds that happen near your camera and will send you an alert. Learn more
Google Nest Hub (2nd gen) – A 7″ smart display with speakers that you can control using a tap or your voice. Nest Hub (2nd gen) is the center of your smart business. You can turn on compatible lights, lock the doors with a compatible smart lock, or turn up your Nest Thermostat with a tap. Or ask Google and get help even faster.1 Nest Hub also works with Nest video doorbells and cameras. Just say, “Hey Google, show me the front door camera” to see your live feed. Learn more
Google Nest Thermostat - an affordable, truly smart thermostat with features that can help save energy, offer remote control via the Google Home app, and keep an eye on your heating and cooling system to help catch issues early. Learn more
Google Nest Aware – A subscription service that provides you:

- 30 days event video history
- Intelligent alerts when your Google Nest devices (cameras, speakers and displays) detect specific sounds or a person
- Ability to choose important areas and get alerts when something happens there
- Create and send clips from your video history to friends or family
- Learn more

5. Eligibility Requirements

Eligible businesses must meet the following requirements:

Small business is at least 51% owned by a Black/African American individual
Small business operates in Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Cincinnati, Houston, Jacksonville, Washington DC, Philadelphia, Louisiana, Las Vegas metropolitan areas
Small business operates as a storefront, food truck, commercial office space, or customer-accessible home office
Small business has been in operation for at least one year
Small business has a 2020 Adjusted Gross Income of less than $250,000
Small business has broadband internet connection at the establishment with at least 2 Mbps upload speed
Small business agrees to completing all T&Cs

Please note:

Eligible businesses are only allowed to receive one kit. (i.e. Businesses with multiple locations can only receive one kit.)
Eligible business owners are only allowed to receive one kit. (i.e. Applicants that own more than one business may only receive one kit.)
Only one kit is allowed per establishment. (i.e. Applicant that owns more than one business at the same address may only receive one kit.)

6. How to Apply

To apply, eligible Black-owned businesses must email the affiliates using the links below.

For questions about the program or the application process, please email Entrepreneursship@nul.org.

7. Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Nest Aware cost after the 12 months of free service?
- After the 12 free months of Nest Aware, you can continue to subscribe to Nest Aware starting $6/month for all Nest Cameras, speakers and displays in one business address.
I already have the Google Nest cameras and digital displays. Am I eligible for the free one-year subscription?
- At this time, the Google Storefront Kit is not modifiable - you will be able to obtain the Google Storefront Kit and the 12 months of free Nest Aware for the Google Storefront Kit
I don’t need the digital displays, but I do need the cameras. Can I subscribe to one and not the other?
- At this time, the Google Nest Storefront Kit is not modifiable - you will receive the full kit.
What happens if I cannot afford the subscription service after year one?
- After the 12 free months of Nest Aware, you will have access to the features that do not require Nest Aware subscription service. See here for the camera capabilities available without Nest Aware. You will have to begin paying for Nest Aware if you want to continue using the features from Nest Aware.
My digital display or camera is not working properly? Who do I contact for technical support?
- If you have any questions or issues related to your Google Storefront Kit products, please check out this site or contact the Google Nest Product Support team here
What happens if the equipment breaks during year one or after?
- Google standard warranties for each product apply. See here for more details.
I have two storefronts, can I apply for both of them?
- At this time, the program is limited to one Google Nest Storefront Kit per business. Business owners that own multiple businesses are only qualified to participate through one of their businesses.
I would like two displays instead of the camera. Is it possible to customize the kit?
- At this time, the Google Storefront Kit is not modifiable - you will receive the full kit.
Why is this program not available in my city?
- A: At this time, we are offering this program in 10 select markets in the United States (Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Cincinnati, Houston, Jacksonville, Washington DC, Philadelphia, Louisiana, Las Vegas metropolitan areas). We worked carefully with regional Urban League affiliates to identify these markets in alignment with existing NUL entrepreneurship centers.