May is Small Business Month—and Walmart is using its scale and influence to help entrepreneurs level up. Through its new Grow With US initiative, Walmart is offering small business tools, visibility, and support to grow in one of the world’s largest retail ecosystems.
This four-step program aligns with Walmart’s larger goal to invest $350 billion in American-made, grown, or assembled products by 2030, aiming to support over 750,000 jobs.
What is Grow With US?
Grow With US is a national campaign designed to remove barriers for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) and help them gain shelf space or sell online with Walmart. The voluntary program offers a guided path to success, especially for businesses that are new to large-scale retail or e-commerce.
1. Learn
Participants gain access to Walmart’s Supplier Academy, which includes 30 online training modules across four learning tracks: Retail Fundamentals, Business Operations, Product Readiness, and Growth Strategies.
2. Get Discovered
Businesses can showcase products through Walmart’s annual Open Call, the RangeMe platform, and Walmart Marketplace—key gateways to shelf space or e-commerce visibility.
3. Mentorship
Selected suppliers are paired with experienced Walmart mentors to refine their retail strategy and navigate operational hurdles—an effort to boost long-term success.
4. Financing
Through Walmart’s Early Payment Program and Bridge Marketplace, eligible SMBs can access working capital to help manage cash flow and inventory needs.
Open Call and Application Information
Walmart is marking Small Business Month by hosting “Road to Open Call” events in cities like Orlando, Kansas City, Baltimore, and Austin. These sessions give entrepreneurs a chance to meet buyers, ask questions, and prepare for the main Open Call event in October.
Applications for the 2025 Walmart Open Call open on June 24, 2025, and the pitch event takes place October 7–8 in Bentonville, Arkansas. It’s a unique chance to present shelf-ready products to Walmart and Sam’s Club merchants.
✅ Key Takeaways
- Educational resources like the Supplier Academy help entrepreneurs gain retail-readiness skills.
- Increased visibility through RangeMe, Open Call, and Walmart Marketplace can accelerate product discovery.
- Mentorship and financial backing provide the kind of operational support many small businesses lack.
- Walmart’s $350 billion investment signals a strong commitment to U.S. manufacturing and entrepreneurship.
- This initiative is a strategic move to support small business growth while strengthening local supply chains.
Walmart’s Grow With US campaign shows how large corporations can meaningfully partner with small businesses. It’s not just a marketing play—it’s an actionable program giving real access, support, and scale to the entrepreneurs driving America’s economy.