To further level the playing field for entrepreneurs and support the growth of their businesses, DoorDash Canada is debuting the Festival Activation Fund: a new program designed to help Entrepreneurship and Access merchants on DoorDash share their love for food at summer festivals this year. Equal access to opportunities for restaurant owners and operators is key to creating vibrant, flourishing communities.
The Festival Activation Fund will provide fifteen restaurants with up to 50% off a restaurant’s summer festival fee (up to $3,000 CAD) that occurs in any Canadian city – no matter how big or how small the community is – from June 1, 2025 to September 30, 2025.
“Summer food festivals bring neighbourhoods together, boost local economies, and provide a welcoming space to celebrate the diverse, vibrant cultures that make each of our communities unique,” said Heather Cameron, Head of Brand and Creative at DoorDash Canada. "We’re proud to support restaurants in sharing their love for food with even more diners by helping to remove some barriers for entrepreneurs to succeed."
Applications are now open and will be accepted until May 16, 2025, with successful recipients notified by June. Among other eligibility criteria, restaurants, gastropubs, or bakeries must be an active partner on DoorDash, have between one and three physical locations in Canada with less than 20 employees per location, and have a valid Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA) business number.
The Festival Activation Fund builds on DoorDash Canada’s existing Entrepreneurship and Access programs which have provided dozens of grants to underrepresented entrepreneurs through #BlackFoodEnergy, Made By Women, and Kitchens Without Borders. Entrepreneurship and Access partners on DoorDash can also enjoy increased in-app searchability and other resources to help grow their businesses.
To learn more about the fund and apply for the sponsorship, eligible merchants can visit the dedicated Festival Activation Fund website.
