Launching SOAR Together Program (Supporting Our Artisans and Retailers) to Empower Rising SMBs

TikTok Shop is committed to empowering small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), entrepreneurs, and creators to succeed and grow their businesses on TikTok. As part of our commitment, we’re excited to introduce our latest initiative to invest in and support small businesses on TikTok Shop: Supporting Our Artisans and Retailers (SOAR) Together. This program will provide tailored support and resources to help participating SMBs rapidly advance their businesses and creative endeavors on TikTok Shop.

“It’s important that entrepreneurs of all backgrounds on TikTok Shop feel supported in order to continue thriving in their creative and business endeavors. That’s why we’re extremely proud to unveil SOAR Together, our newest social impact program offering entrepreneurs tailored resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities in partnership with renowned organizations and professionals. By the end of the program, we hope participating sellers and creators feel even more empowered for the endless possibilities ahead for them on TikTok Shop.” - Nico Le Bourgeois, Head of TikTok Shop Operations, US

Today, we’re announcing the first two social impact programs focused on supporting and empowering women-owned and LGBTQIA+ businesses. 


Supporting Women-Owned Businesses with the Association of Women's Business Centers

The first program under this initiative is the Women-Owned TikTok Shop Accelerator, a six-week long program designed to support the growth of women-owned small businesses. The TikTok Economic Impact Report 2024 found more than three-quarters (81%) of young female entrepreneurs under 30 agree or strongly agree that to stay competitive their business needs to continue to use and improve upon their TikTok marketing content. We’re thrilled to support the growth of women-owned businesses and selected 15 US businesses to participate in the program that represent the breadth and diversity of entrepreneurs on TikTok Shop.

To provide mentorship resources and growth opportunities, we’re partnering with the Conscious Commerce Accelerator (CCA), led by renowned retail and marketing industry thought leader Tina Wells, and the Association of Women’s Business Centers (AWBC), the leading national voice for igniting economic power of women’s entrepreneurship. Combined with TikTok Shop’s internal resources to support small and medium business owners, we’ve gathered the premier tools to accelerate the growth of women entrepreneurs within the TikTok Shop ecosystem.

Participants in the Women-Owned TikTok Shop Accelerator will be invited to a series of custom courses hosted by CCA and AWBC on key business skills including TikTok Shop 101, sales review and forecasting, analyzing social media metrics and engaging with influencers, expanding your business profitably, and more. Participants will also be invited to participate in a ceremony honoring program graduates later this year.

"As we partner with TikTok Shop to launch this accelerator for women-owned businesses, we celebrate the invaluable contributions of the Association of Women’s Business Centers’ national network. With 152 women’s business centers providing free and low-cost support, they empower women entrepreneurs to launch and grow profitable and innovative businesses." - Tiffany Shumake, AWBC’s Director of Entrepreneurship

"I'm thrilled to join this initiative as an advisor and coach. It aligns with my personal mission to help underrepresented founders get on the shelves. TikTok has proven to be an essential tool in driving awareness and sales for emerging brands, and this accelerator program provides yet another invaluable tool." - Tina Wells


TikTok Shop Partners with StartOut

The second program under this initiative is TikTok Shop's partnership with StartOut to accelerate the growth of LGBTQIA+ entrepreneurs. We're excited to support 30 LGBTQIA+ owned businesses in the US with scholarships for StartOut's Founders Program, where they'll gain invaluable insights on how to grow and scale their business. Program participants will receive resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities, in addition to StartOut's Founders Program memberships.

2024: TikTok Shop is supporting 30 small and medium businesses in the US to empower and grow LGBTQIA entrepreneurship within the TikTok Shop community. By partnering with StartOut, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting LGBTQIA entrepreneurs scholarships through their Founder's Program, we are providing education, membership resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities to help businesses scale.


Empowering the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs

TikTok Shop gives people a place to translate the excitement of discovering unique products and sellers into impactful transactions that spark joy for both buyers and sellers, all without leaving the app. We’re dedicated to empowering small businesses and creators by providing tailored support and resources and fostering a community of growth and inclusivity through this program. The kickoff of SOAR Together is a major step in TikTok’s ongoing efforts to address the unique needs of small businesses and creators.

For more details on the Women-Owned TikTok Shop Accelerator and our partnership with StartOut, visit https://soartogether.splashthat.com/.

If you’re interested in participating in the next SOAR cohort, keep your eyes peeled for more news from us in the near future.