Doordash is now accepting applications for a 8-week long accelerator program designed to advance opportunities for local minority-owned restaurants.
DoorDash’s Accelerator for Local Restaurants provides eligible Portland restaurants with $20,000 grants, training and education, business advising, marketing benefits and more according to a press release. The program's being offered in partnership with Accion Opportunity Fund and the Black Business Association of Oregon.
More than 100 restaurants in such areas as Atlanta, Los Angeles and Chicago have benefitted from the program, the food delivery app said.
“For Black businesses to be successful, it is crucial for them to have access to the resources they need to thrive and be competitive,” said Lance Randall, the Black Business Association of Oregon's executive director, in a release.
This news comes after Willamette Week reported that DoorDash was the No. 1 lobbyist of Portland City Hall this summer. It poured $36,000 into city hall from April 1 to June 31, according to WW, because of a 2020 city ordinance that prevents food delivery services like Doordash from charging more than 10% commission on restaurants, bars and food trucks.
To qualify for the grants, restaurants must operate three or fewer restaurant locations, have been open for two or more years and employ 50 people at most across all locations. Applications close Sept. 9 and the program will begin Oct. 11.
