News Summary
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas has announced a partnership with DoorDash to support small businesses through an accelerator program. This initiative, which spans 12 weeks, will select up to 10 Kansas City-based businesses to receive mentorship, funding, and resources aimed at fostering local entrepreneurship. With the program set to launch ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026, the support model seeks to empower local business growth in the face of a competitive economic environment.
Kansas City—On Wednesday, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas announced a new partnership with DoorDash to launch an accelerator program aimed at supporting small businesses and local entrepreneurs. The program, known as DoorDash’s Accelerator for Local Businesses, seeks to empower local entrepreneurs with resources and mentorship, all of which are crucial for business growth in the current economy.
The accelerator program will take place over a 12-week period from May to July 2025. Up to 10 Kansas City-based businesses will be selected to participate in the initiative. Participants will benefit from one-on-one mentorship from experienced merchants on the DoorDash platform, tailored programming that focuses on optimizing business operations and menus, and access to small business resources, among other advantages.
As part of their participation, selected businesses will receive a $5,000 grant and $1,000 in DoorDash advertising credits. This funding and advertising support is designed to help small businesses thrive, particularly as Kansas City prepares for increasing economic activity in the upcoming years.
Eligibility Criteria
Businesses interested in applying for the accelerator program must meet several eligibility requirements. Applicants must:
- Be an independently owned local business.
- Be currently operating on the DoorDash platform.
- Have a maximum of three locations.
- Maintain annual revenue under $3 million.
- Be primarily operated by the business owner.
- Reside and operate out of Kansas City, Missouri.
Applications for the program will be accepted until April 21, 2025, creating a timeframe for local entrepreneurs to prepare their submissions.
Support for Local Entrepreneurs
This accelerator program is part of a broader trend in which similar initiatives have successfully assisted over 200 small businesses and 1,000 entrepreneurs across various cities, including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, and New York City. These previous programs have demonstrated the effectiveness of providing targeted support to small businesses, empowering them with the tools they need to succeed.
Mayor Lucas underscored the significance of this partnership, emphasizing Kansas City’s role as a vital economic hub within the Midwest. The timing of this initiative is particularly noteworthy as the city is designated as a host location for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026. This international event is expected to generate a significant influx of visitors and economic activity, presenting a prime opportunity for local business growth.
DoorDash’s Commitment to Local Business
Mike Pomerantz, DoorDash’s Head of Midwest Public Engagement, expressed confidence in Kansas City as an ideal location for the accelerator, especially with the approaching World Cup. This belief reflects DoorDash’s commitment to fostering local entrepreneurship, which aligns with their broader strategy to engage and support communities across the Midwest.
Through this collaboration, Kansas City small businesses are poised to gain valuable insights and resources that can help them navigate the challenges of a competitive landscape, enhance their operational efficiency, and ultimately thrive in the local economy. With the accelerator program launching next year, many aspiring entrepreneurs are likely gearing up for the opportunities that lie ahead.
For those interested in applying, the April 21 deadline is fast approaching, making it essential for business owners to review the eligibility criteria and prepare their applications promptly.
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Additional Resources
- KMBC: Kansas City DoorDash Partnership for Local Businesses
- Wikipedia: Small Business
- Startland News: DoorDash Accelerator in Kansas City
- Google Search: DoorDash Accelerator Program 2025
- Kansas City Star: Local Business Accelerator
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Economic Activity
- Fox 4 KC: DoorDash Acquisition of Deliveroo
- Google Scholar: Kansas City Small Business Resources
