Ford Philanthropy Mobility Fellowship Program for Entrepreneurs

This fully-funded virtual program aims to equip entrepreneurs with the essential skills and hands-on experience necessary to enhance their ventures, access invaluable networks and resources, and drive transformative change in their communities.

Benefits

• The Ford Philanthropy Mobility Fellowship offers an intensive program focusing on mobility, transportation, and accessibility. Designed for entrepreneurs and community leaders dedicated to advancing these areas, the Fellowship provides comprehensive training, mentorship from mobility experts, and hands-on experience. Fellows collaborate to develop impactful solutions that improve transportation access and services. This fully-funded virtual program empowers participants with valuable networks and resources, enabling them to drive significant change within their communities.

Expected Outcomes

• With the unwavering support of the Watson Institute team, Fellows will receive a comprehensive roadmap to guide the growth and scalability of your work and impact. Additionally, each Fellow will facilitate an impactful workshop and training session (known as a Basecamp) in their respective communities, backed by a stipend, playbook, and team support to bring their visions to life. This is an opportunity to enhance Fellows’ leadership skills, get their ventures in front of a larger audience, and pay it forward.

Eligibility Criteria

• Who you are:
  • You are an entrepreneur or community leader deeply committed to creating sustainable, scalable impact in your community. Your venture focuses on mobility, transportation, or accessibility, aiming to increase access to transportation or provide services on wheels. Alternatively, you might be seeking to expand the mobility of your venture and looking to enhance or implement mobile solutions or put your services on wheels through this Fellowship. You possess an entrepreneurial spirit, a growth mindset, and are driven to develop as an effective leader.
• Venture Stage:
  • You are an impact-driven entrepreneur with proven products, traction, and revenue. This Fellowship targets those in the ‘missing middle’ stage—entrepreneurs who have moved beyond prototyping but need support to grow. You lead a mobility, transportation, or accessibility-focused social impact venture or community endeavor in its initial stages, showcasing a history of making a difference. Ideal candidates have demonstrated impact in their communities and are in the Problem-Solution Fit or Product-Market Fit stages, with engaged customers and measurable outcomes in both impact and revenue.
• Commitment:
  • You are able to commit to the 16-week program including a 2-week virtual immersive. They prioritize individuals who are fully committed to actively participating in the entire program. At the heart of the program is a strong sense of community, and its success hinges on the active engagement and enthusiasm of all participants, who are eager to both learn and share.
• Where You Are Creating Impact:
  • Applicants located in and/or creating impact in the following locations are encouraged to apply:
    • Global: Brazil, Germany, Mexico, Philippines, Spain, South Africa, Thailand, United Kingdom (including Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland), Vietnam.
• What You Are Looking For:
  • You are seeking expert-guided entrepreneurial training, a community of entrepreneurs to provide feedback that improves your venture, and a wide-reaching mentorship network to enhance your leadership abilities and the impact of your venture.
• Demographics:
  • Adults 18 or Older.

For more information, visit Watson Institute.