DTLA Small Business Cohort

About the program

What is Rally LA?

Rally LA is an initiative bringing together corporate supporters, the LA Area Chamber of Commerce, and community organizations to support small businesses across Los Angeles ahead of the major sports and live events coming to the region.

Rally LA supports cohorts of small businesses across LA’s distinct neighborhoods — starting with Downtown LA — by providing capital, capacity building, connections to procurement opportunities, and marketing and visibility campaigns. The program is designed to shine the spotlight on small businesses with the goal of increasing foot traffic and revenue, helping prepare for and manage through the shocks and challenges posed by large events, and helping businesses scale up their operational capacity.

Eligibility

Who we’re looking for

We are looking for businesses that fit the profile below. If you don’t meet every criterion but believe you have a strong case, we encourage you to apply and explain your situation.

• Location At least one location in DTLA (pop-up or permanent)
• Business Type Brick-and-mortar storefront that customers could feasibly interact with; independently operated
• Sector Food & Beverage, Retail, Creative & Production, Personal Services, or Entertainment
• Size Average annual revenue under $10M over the past three years and fewer than 50 employees
• Maturity In operation for at least 12 months
• Events Exp. Some familiarity with events, catering, or festivals is a plus — but not required

Program benefits

Cash Grant & More

Selected cohort members receive a cash grant distributed by the LA Area Chamber of Commerce, along with targeted support to help your business make the most of the major events coming to Los Angeles.

• Visibility campaigns and co-branding opportunities to put your business in front of new customers
• Connections to corporate supporters and institutional buyers through the Rally LA network
• A community block party designed to showcase the cohort’s small businesses
• Tailored capacity building resources to help you prepare your operations for the influx of visitors headed to Downtown LA

Program expectations

What we’ll ask of you

Rally LA is a two-way commitment. If accepted into the cohort, here’s what participation looks like:

1. Share your needs.Complete cohort intake so we can connect you with the right resources and opportunities.
2. Co-branding and promotion.Complete paperwork allowing the LA Chamber and other Rally LA collaborators to feature your business — including your logo and name — across campaigns and materials.
3. Join Key Events.Every Rally LA cohort will feature key events such as a neighborhood block party. These events are a key part of the program, and we ask that all members participate.
4. Engage with the network.Ad hoc networking and programming events bring small businesses and corporate supporters together. These connections are a big part of the value of Rally LA, and we encourage you to show up.
5. Share your story.We’ll ask for relevant data — sales, foot traffic, new customer relationships, media impressions — to demonstrate program impact and advocate for more resources for businesses like yours.

Key dates

Program timeline

The DTLA cohort runs for approximately three months, culminating in a capstone block party event that connects cohort businesses directly with buyers, customers, and Rally LA partners.

• Applications open

  August 18, 2026

  The application window opens. Complete the form at your own pace — you can save your progress and return before the deadline.
• Applications close

  September 8, 2026

  All applications must be submitted by this date. Late submissions will not be reviewed.
• Cohort announcement & grant release

  Mid-October 2026

  All applicants will be notified of their selection status. Selected businesses will receive onboarding instructions and next steps.
• Active cohort programming

  October 2026 – January 2027

  The ~3-month cohort kicks off. Cohort members will have the opportunity to join programming and networking events supported by Rally LA’s corporate supporters, and be featured in marketing and visibility campaigns designed around your business’s needs.
• DTLA block party & celebration

  January 2027

  The cohort culminates in the Rally LA block party — a neighborhood showcase designed to connect cohort small businesses to the community, Rally LA corporate supporters, and other potential customers.

Before you apply

How to complete the application

This application is designed to be completed in under an hour. We kept it short on purpose — we only ask for information we will actually use, and we do not expect you to prepare anything in advance beyond what you already know about your own business.

• Plain language is welcome. You do not need to write formally or use business jargon. Just tell us about your business in your own words.
• No polish required. We are looking for authenticity, not production quality. The application includes a video prompt — a short recording on your phone is perfectly appropriate.
• Mobile-friendly. You can complete the application and upload any materials, including video, directly from your phone.
• Save your progress. You do not need to complete the application in one sitting. You can save your responses and return to finish before the deadline.
• Reach out with questions. If anything is unclear or you need assistance, contact us at RallyLASupport@lachamber.com. We want to make sure the process is accessible to every business that is interested in applying.