News Summary
In Kansas City, ten small businesses have been chosen for the 2025 DoorDash Accelerator for Local Businesses, a 12-week program aimed at providing essential resources and support. Participants will receive mentorship, financial grants, and advertising credits to enhance their operations and marketing skills. This initiative is a response to challenges faced by small enterprises, especially post-pandemic. Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas emphasizes the vital role of small businesses in the local economy, highlighting the importance of tailored assistance to foster growth and innovation.
Kansas City, Missouri – Ten small businesses in Kansas City have been selected to participate in the 2025 DoorDash Accelerator for Local Businesses, an initiative designed to better equip local enterprises to thrive in today’s competitive market. The Accelerator program, which will run for 12 weeks from May through July 2025, aims to provide essential resources and support to small businesses, helping them overcome various challenges and succeed amidst ongoing economic uncertainties.
The selected businesses will benefit from one-on-one mentorship and professional assistance, receive a $5,000 grant, and gain $1,000 in advertising credits on the DoorDash platform. These advantages are geared toward enhancing the marketing capabilities, operational effectiveness, and overall growth potential of the chosen businesses.
The ten businesses encompass a diverse range of sectors, including restaurants and flower shops, showcasing the vibrant entrepreneurial spirit present in Kansas City. Among the participants is Jovito’s Cafe & Deli, co-owned by Alex Fiorella, who underscored the importance of marketing and hospitality in successfully navigating the post-pandemic landscape.
Small businesses have faced numerous challenges in recent years, with the COVID-19 pandemic, rising inflation, city construction projects, and international tariffs all contributing to a difficult operating environment. For many enterprises, including Jovito’s Cafe & Deli, physical disruptions such as construction outside their locations have severely impacted foot traffic and customer accessibility, making it increasingly challenging to maintain business viability.
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas has voiced strong support for the DoorDash Accelerator initiative, emphasizing that small businesses play a crucial role in the local economy. He highlighted the importance of providing adapted support that helps these businesses confront their unique challenges while empowering their growth through strategic training and resources.
The DoorDash Accelerator program is designed with the intention of giving small businesses tailored programming, allowing them to access essential small business resources such as financing options and industry-specific certifications. This is part of a broader mission to empower local economies and ensure that small businesses can capitalize on community support and available resources.
Applications for the Accelerator program closed in late April 2025, and the selected participants are now gearing up for a rigorous 12-week experience aimed at enhancing their operational models. DoorDash has a history of similar initiatives, having previously included over 1,000 entrepreneurs through cohorts in several U.S. cities such as Denver, Chicago, and Philadelphia, reinforcing its commitment to supporting small local businesses across the nation.
This Accelerator program not only reflects the growing need for small businesses to adapt and thrive amidst a rapidly changing economic landscape but also demonstrates community-wide efforts to bolster local entrepreneurship. By providing essential funding, mentorship, and advertising resources, the 2025 DoorDash Accelerator for Local Businesses aims to pave the way for the future success of Kansas City’s small business sector.
The participation of diverse small businesses in this program stands as a testament to the resilience and innovation thriving within Kansas City. As these businesses embark on their entrepreneurial journeys with enhanced support, the hope is that they will emerge more robust and ready to succeed against the backdrop of economic challenges.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Kansas City Launches Accelerator Program with DoorDash
Additional Resources
- Fox 4 KC
- Wikipedia: Kansas City
- DoorDash News
- Google Search: DoorDash Accelerator Program
- Startland News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Small Business
- AOL News
- Google Scholar: Small Business Support
- Fox 4 KC Video
- Google News: Kansas City Small Businesses
