Running a small business is challenging: in 2024, a majority of main street businesses reported a drop in revenue. Last Spring, DoorDash helped meet this challenge by launching our latest and most ambitious iteration of our Accelerator yet – the DoorDash Accelerator for Local Businesses. For the first time ever, our Accelerator expanded beyond restaurants to include local flower shops, mom-and-pop supermarkets, and other small businesses that help communities thrive.
Today, we’re proud to announce that this Fall, the Accelerator for Local Businesses is expanding to three new cities across the United States: San Francisco, California; Greater Providence, Rhode Island; and Scranton, Pennsylvania.
San Francisco, California
San Francisco is a hub of entrepreneurship, leading California in the creation of new businesses and exceeding the national average. SFMADE and La Cocina will join our Accelerator to support our San Francisco cohort.
“Strong and vibrant small businesses are key to San Francisco’s recovery. Our administration is cutting red tape and creating new pathways to help local businesses open and grow,” said San Francisco Mayor, Daniel Lurie. “This partnership with DoorDash is another way we are investing in our small business community and driving our city’s economic recovery. Thank you to DoorDash for supporting San Francisco’s entrepreneurs and contributing to our city’s comeback.”
Providence, Rhode Island
Nearly 94% of Rhode Island businesses have 10 employees or less with the majority located in the state’s capital of Providence. The RI Hospitality Association is joining our Accelerator to support our Greater Providence cohort.
Scranton, Pennsylvania
Small businesses with fewer than 50 employees dominate Scranton’s commercial landscape. As part of our Accelerator, Mayor Paige Cognetti will help participating entrepreneurs cut through red tape to better understand the city resources available to small businesses. The Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association and The University of Scranton will also join our Fall Accelerator to support our Scranton cohort.
As part of the Accelerator, local business owners in in these locations will enjoy:
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;
$5,000 in DoorDash advertising credits with technical training to launch impactful, far-reaching campaigns to drive traffic and revenue via the DoorDash platform.
The Spring 2025 Accelerator Cohort in Their Own Words
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 San Francisco, CA; Greater Providence, RI; or Scranton, PA. The Accelerator program will run from early October through November 2025. Local businesses interested in participating can apply through September 30, 2025.
Learn more HERE.
