Kevin Hart’s tequila brand ups small business grant to $1.5 million

Key Points

• Gran Coramino Tequila announces $10,000 grants, raising total investment in small businesses to $1.5 million through The Coramino Fund.
• Fund increases support for Black and Latinx entrepreneurs, reflecting growth in sales, with applications now open for the latest grant round.
• Kevin Hart champions AI adoption in small businesses, pairing grants with training to bridge the tech gap and foster growth in underserved communities.

Gran Coramino Tequila, co-founded by comedian Kevin Hart and tequila maker Juan Domingo Beckmann, is once again showing its commitment to supporting small businesses.

The premium tequila brand has announced a new round of $10,000 grants through The Coramino Fund, bringing its total investment in entrepreneurs from underserved communities in the U.S. and Mexico to $1.5 million.

Coramino Fund increases grant support

This new funding is a significant increase from the $1 million previously set aside for Black and Latinx business owners through 2024, following impressive sales in 2023. The brand quickly reached millions of bottles sold within just two years of its launch, thanks to the leadership of Hart and Beckmann.

The Coramino Fund, which has already helped 100 Black and Latinx small business owners, is now accepting applications for its latest round of grants. The initiative aims to support small businesses, particularly in marginalized communities, and bridge the gap between large corporations and smaller enterprises.

Kevin Hart pushes AI for small business

Launched three years ago by Hart and Beckmann, the fund also includes AI training, an area Hart believes is key to business growth. “The train is coming fast,” Hart said in a recent interview with Fortune. “Either you get on it, or you get out of the way.” This funding round is especially timely, as Black-owned businesses still face the lowest AI adoption rates, with less than 2 percent using AI in 2023.

A study from Michigan State University’s Julian Samora Research Institute found that while nearly 78 percent of white-owned businesses use AI, only 9 percent of Hispanic-owned and 11 percent of Asian-owned businesses do the same. By pairing grants with AI training, Hart hopes to give small businesses a chance to compete on a more level playing field.

“It’s exciting to find ways to contribute to the conversation and help others position themselves to use AI responsibly for growth,” he said. The AI training will be offered by 1st Street Partnerships, a company that specializes in hands-on support to help businesses make data-driven decisions. Entrepreneurs interested in the grants have until April 23 to apply.

Kevin Hart’s evolving business empire

Outside of Gran Coramino, Hart has built a diversified business empire. His ventures include Hartbeat Productions, a global media company, and Hart House, a plant-based fast-food chain.

However, in September 2024, Hart made the unexpected decision to close all four Hart House locations in Southern California, signaling the end of the brand. This move reflects Hart’s broader business philosophy, where he continues to evolve and seek out new opportunities.

In June of the previous year, Gran Coramino celebrated its second anniversary with the launch of Gran Coramino Reposado, a new addition to its product line. The offering blends tradition with innovation, further solidifying Hart and Beckmann’s strategic efforts to expand their tequila portfolio and Hart’s growing influence in the spirits industry.