TikTok is offering a $1 million ad credit giveaway to American entrepreneurs and small businesses. This giveaway is part of TikTok’s Small Biz Fest initiative to celebrate Small Business Month. The program is aimed at helping small businesses gain visibility and grow on its platform.

The company will select 500 U.S.-based small businesses to receive $2,000 in ad credits each. TikTok will also offer dedicated onboarding support from a TikTok Ads Expert to each selected business. This includes personalized guidance to help business owners navigate TikTok’s ad tools and create more effective campaigns.

How small businesses can apply for and participate in the $1 million ad credit giveaway

To apply for the $1 million ad credit giveaway, small businesses must meet a few conditions. They must have 500 or fewer employees, be new to TikTok advertising, and have an active and compliant TikTok Ads Manager account.

TikTok says applicants must be based in the U.S., and their account must follow TikTok’s community guidelines and advertising policies. The application process and more information are available at tiktoksmallbizfest.com.

If all requirements are met, ad credits will be applied to the winners’ accounts by June 14, 2025. However, any unused credit will expire by July 14, 2025.

TikTok expands support with webinars, mentorship, and events

As part of the program, the platform is also launching weekly TikTok Academy webinars starting May 15, where marketing experts will share strategies for building effective ad campaigns. These sessions are designed to help small business owners understand TikTok’s business tools and get comfortable using them.

Another part of the campaign is “100 Ways to Grow on TikTok,” a video podcast series that showcases small business success stories and practical insights from other entrepreneurs already using the platform.

TikTok is also organizing Small Biz Fest Roadshows in cities like Los Angeles, New York City, and Austin. These in-person events will offer small business owners an opportunity to meet experts, network with peers, and learn how to better market themselves on TikTok.

TikTok wants to show its value amid regulatory scrutiny

This initiative comes as TikTok faces intense scrutiny in the U.S., including legislative moves toward a potential ban. This support for local businesses could be part of TikTok’s effort to back its claim that banning the app will hurt U.S. businesses.

TikTok claims more than 7.5 million U.S. businesses are active on the platform today. According to the platform, “At TikTok, we believe small businesses fuel more than the economy—they shape our culture and community on the platform and beyond.”

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