The ability to provide delivery to customers is instrumental in providing all kinds of small businesses with the same capabilities as larger companies. Since 2021, the DoorDash Accelerator for Local Restaurants and Accelerator for Local Goods have helped over 1,000 entrepreneurs across the United States make their businesses stronger and more resilient. Today, we’re proud to announce the latest evolution and the biggest update to the Accelerator since its launch: the DoorDash Accelerator for Local Businesses.
This year, we’re expanding beyond restaurants to include local flower shops, mom-and-pop supermarkets, and other small businesses for the first time. The Accelerator for Local Businesses builds upon previous DoorDash Accelerators to provide the same benefits we’ve historically offered to even more categories of businesses.
This year’s Accelerator for Local Businesses will take place in Findlay, OH and Hancock County, OH and Kansas City, MO. We’re excited to partner with Findlay Mayor Christina Muryn, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, Findlay-Hancock County Economic Development, the Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce, Kansas City BizCare, and Pathway Financial Education to help Accelerator participants access the civic resources available to small businesses so they can cut through red tape and grow their businesses both on and off the DoorDash platform.
The Accelerator for Local Businesses will support 20 local business owners in Findlay, OH and Hancock County, OH, and Kansas City, Missouri with mentorship, grants, and direct access to local government resources.
As a top micropolitan and national leader in small business development, Findlay is an emerging hub of entrepreneurship nationwide. Kansas City is home to over 50,000 small businesses with less than 100 employees. Its workforce is making world-class events, including the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, possible. Participants will be able to use the Accelerator’s lessons to serve city residents and visitors during these major events.
“As one of the best places in the country for entrepreneurship, I’m proud — and not surprised — that DoorDash chose our city to play such an important role in their 2025 Accelerator for Local Businesses,” said Findlay Mayor Christina Muryn. “Hancock County is a growing region that consistently ranks among the best places in America to do business. This partnership with DoorDash will continue to strengthen our small businesses and connect entrepreneurs directly to City Hall so that they can more easily navigate all the support our city has to offer.”
“We are thrilled that DoorDash has chosen our city to participate in its Accelerator for Local Businesses,” said Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas. “As one of the most significant economic hubs in the entire country, Kansas City is the home of opportunity and innovation in the Midwest. I can’t wait to work with DoorDash and our local business community to ensure that we remain a destination for entrepreneurship for years to come.”
As part of the Accelerator, 20 local business owners in Findlay, OH and Hancock County, OH and Kansas City will receive:
One-on-one mentorship from experienced peer merchants on the DoorDash platform;
Tailored in-person and virtual programming on optimizing menus, operations, and their DoorDash storefront and accessing county-wide small business resources, including financing options, certification programs, government contracting opportunities, and local business support services;
A $5,000 grant; and
$1,000 in DoorDash advertising credits.
To be eligible, applicants must be independently owned brick-and-mortar local businesses on the DoorDash platform with a maximum of three locations and annual revenue under $3 million. Owners must be the primary operators, living and operating out of Findlay, OH and Hancock County, OH, or Kansas City, MO. The Accelerator program will run from early May through July. Local businesses interested in participating can apply through April 21, 2025.
Interested in learning more? Apply HERE.
