DoorDash Accelerator for Local Restaurants: Live & Local Series
DoorDash is helping strengthen entrepreneurial ecosystems with its Accelerator for Local Restaurants: Live & Local Series. The Accelerator provides restaurant owners with the education and resources they need to diversify their revenue and expand their business, while facilitating connection through live and local events.
The Accelerator Live & Local Series is coming to Washington, D.C. and Minneapolis, MN. Owners of restaurants, food trucks or who are operating out of a food stall, or a community kitchen and have a plan to introduce a new line of revenue to their business, but haven’t had the resources or education to do so on their own, are invited to apply.
Participating small businesses will pursue a chosen revenue diversification strategy throughout the Accelerator. This can include adding new lines of business, introducing consumer packaged goods, and other innovative strategies. Supported by education, coaching, and other resources, participants will create a plan and begin to implement their chosen strategy.
The Accelerator will run from May through October.
Eligibility
Eligible business owners who meet the below criteria are invited to apply.
About you:
You own a restaurant, food truck, or are operating out of a food stall or community kitchen.
You have a plan to introduce a new revenue stream to your business—examples of your story include below, but are not limited to:
You operate a food truck but would like to open a brick-and-mortar restaurant to serve more customers.
You are a restaurant owner but have always wanted to sell your secret sauce commercially.
You own a food business and would like to launch your own line of kitchen merchandise.
You have two restaurant locations but would like to open a food truck for events and catering.
You are able to commit 4-5 hours per week to the Accelerator for the duration of the program. This includes attendance at in-person events, online discussions and curriculum, and individual assignments.
About your business:
Has three or fewer locations, with at least one location in Minneapolis or St. Paul, MN and the greater Washington, D.C. Metro area (Montgomery County, Prince George County, D.C., Fairfax County VA).
Has been in operation for at least two years.
Employs 50 or fewer people across all locations.
Has a business bank account.
Benefits
Selected Accelerator participants will receive:
Access to an online curriculum program with content geared toward restaurant owners.
Live sessions with experts and speakers.
Attendance at five live and local in-person events throughout the course of the Accelerator.
A business consultant to advise on specific needs and strategies.
$5,000 grant
Access perks and benefits from Notion, Stripe, Hubspot and others valued at up to $40,000 by becoming a Bridge for Billions alumni.
Frequently Asked Questions
Applications will be accepted from March 27, 2024 until 6PM ET on May 1, 2024.
All applicants will be contacted the week of May 12, 2024.
No. Applications to the program are open to eligible businesses regardless of whether they are current DoorDash or Caviar partners.
Participants will receive a $5,000 grant half way through the program.
The format of the Accelerator is best suited for proficient English speakers. If you have additional language needs, please indicate it in your application. We’re committed to supporting language access and will do our best to provide resources that address multilingual needs.