FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – May 12, 2025

CONTACT: Megan Strickland | 816-766-5134    

KANSAS CITY, Mo — Today, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, DoorDash, and Kansas City entrepreneurs officially kicked off the 2025 DoorDash Accelerator for Local Businesses.

The Accelerator for Local Businesses will provide Kansas City entrepreneurs with mentorship, professional programming, and funding to grow stronger businesses. Announced in March, the Accelerator is the latest evolution and biggest update to DoorDash’s Accelerator programs and will run from May through July.

Kansas City is home to over 50,000 small businesses with less than 100 employees with a workforce making world-class events, such as 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.

Participants in the Accelerator 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;
• A $5,000 grant; and
• $1,000 in DoorDash advertising credits.

Ten entrepreneurs representing a range of small businesses – from restaurants to flower shops were chosen to participate in the Accelerator. The full list of participants can be found below:

Kansas City

• Fifth & Emery Frozen Yogurt & Chocolate
• Gomers Wine and Spirits
• Jovitos Italian Cafe & Deli
• Mixing Bowl On The Go
• PH Coffee LLC
• Ruby Jean's Juicery
• SAUCED
• Shop Local KC
• Wah Gwan
• Zero Zero Handmade Pasta

“When our small businesses succeed, Kansas City succeeds,” said Mayor Lucas. “Kansas City's partnership with DoorDash will make our city an even better place to operate a business. I want to thank DoorDash for selecting Kansas City to participate in this program, and – more importantly – I want to thank our local entrepreneurs for being the engine that drives this city.”

“Small businesses are the heart of Kansas City, and the Accelerator for Local Businesses will help these incredible entrepreneurs take their businesses to the next level,” said Esther Ladipo Hill, Social Impact Manager at DoorDash. “DoorDash would like to thank Mayor Lucas and the City of Kansas City for the opportunity to partner in cultivating economic success in the local business community. We look forward to working together over these next few months.”

“I’m thrilled to join the DoorDash Accelerator for Local Businesses as a mentor to share my skills with my peers,” said Patrick Bobrukiewicz, Vice President of Data Services at Thrive Restaurant Group in Kansas City. “Entrepreneurs are offered few opportunities such as this to network and share best practices to build better businesses. I can’t wait to do my part in fostering a stronger, more resilient business community.”