SAN FRANCISCO — Twenty-two California-based brands were selected to participate in the DoorDash Accelerator for Local Goods. Formed in partnership with Next Street, the six-week program provides educational resources, funding and more to consumer packaged goods businesses owned by entrepreneurs who are women, transgender, immigrants or people of color.

The accelerator launched earlier this year and included participants from Chicago, New York City and the greater Washington area. Of the business owners chosen for the California cohort, 68% identify as female, 82% are people of color, and 32% are immigrants or refugees, according to DoorDash. Immigrant-owned businesses account for 20% of participants. Top product categories include bakery items, non-alcoholic beverages, salty snacks and sweet snacks. Eligible businesses will receive a $5,000 grant, access to marketing and sales resources, and the opportunity to sell items through DashMart, a DoorDash-owned and operated grocery and convenience store.

“Following our successful inaugural cohort of the DoorDash Accelerator for Local Goods earlier this year, we could not be more thrilled to bring the program to California and to meet another group of diverse and inspirational entrepreneurs,” said Anuja Perkins, general manager, DashMart – New Verticals at DoorDash. “While reviewing the applications for this new class of program participants, it was evident how passionate each of these business owners was about their products and their vision. We are hopeful that the educational tools, resources, and financial capital that the accelerator provides will assist these entrepreneurs in their journey to grow their businesses and expand their local footprint. We are also excited to help play a role through distribution of eligible products at select DashMart locations.”

Los Angeles area businesses chosen to participate include Angella’s Sweet Spot, Amazecake Co., Aqua Equity Water, Chiki Chiki Boom Boom, Chocolate and the Chip, DD’z Treatz, Joe’y, Le Goût – Bakery and Café, Mama Cheesecake, My Sweet Melanin, The Cookie Dip Co. and The Very Best Cookie in the Whole Wide World. San Francisco Bay Area brands include Hella Nuts, Kavaia Tea, munchrooms, Oakland Fortune Factory, NEOPOP, Noodleist, The Giving Pies and Treats by Sade. Other participants are Paleo Treats, San Diego, and strwEATs, Ventura County.

Entrepreneurs were selected based on business story, ability to fully participate in the program, opportunity for growth and potential to overcome challenges with access to more resources, in addition to meeting the standard criteria.  

“My co-founder Brendan and I originally created Joe’y due to our shared sensitivities to caffeine and excessive coffee consumption,” said Amanda Fields, co-founder of Joe’y. “We wanted something that not only provided a healthier routine, but also scratched the itch of that rich, roasted flavor we had grown to love. And so Joe’y was born. Joe’y isn’t coffee. It’s your healthier pick-me-up. It’s everything we liked about coffee, nothing we didn’t and so much more. We are so excited to be a part of the DoorDash Accelerator for Local Goods because it will enable Joe’y to reach more people who may also be looking for a healthier caffeine alternative and help prepare us for future success in wholesale.”

Gina Shi, founder of munchrooms, said, “I started munchrooms with the simple goal of sharing my healthy, plant-based mushroom jerky snacks with my community. Through our Asian inspired flavors, we hope to expand people’s cultural palates and bring them together through a mutual love of snacking.”