Ford Fund Fellowship

Published by rosica

Deadline: 15 January 2024
Open to: entrepreneur or community leader deeply committed to creating sustainable, scalable impact in your community (locations mentioned below)
Benefits: fully-funded program thanks to the support of the Ford Motor Company Fund

Description

The Ford Fund Fellowship is an intensive venture and leadership development program designed to empower entrepreneurs and community leaders to elevate the impactful ventures they are building. This fully-funded virtual program aims to equip these next-generation 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.

With the unwavering support of the Watson Institute team, you will receive a comprehensive roadmap to guide the growth and scalability of your work and impact. Additionally, you will facilitate an impactful workshop and training session (known as a Basecamp) in your community for your stakeholders, backed by a stipend, playbook, and team support to bring your vision to life.

Dates: March 4th to June 27th, 2024 (16-weeks of programming).

Eligibility

  • Who You Are:
    • You are an entrepreneur or community leader deeply committed to creating sustainable, scalable impact in your community.
    • You are at the helm of a social impact venture or community endeavor in its initial stages, showcasing a history of making a difference. Ideally, your venture is in the space of mobility, transportation, or accessibility.
    • You have an entrepreneurial spirit, a growth mindset, and are driven to grow as an effective leader within your community. The ideal venture stage for this fellowship are those in the Problem-Solution Fit or Product-Market Fit phases, with engaged customers or beneficiaries, and demonstrated outcomes in both impact and revenue.
  • Where You Create Impact: Applicants located in and/or creating impact in the following locations:
    • Global: China, Germany, Mexico, Romania, South Africa,United Kingdom (includes Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland)
    • United States: Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Kansas City, Louisville, Memphis
    • If your location is not listed above, we encourage you to explore other fellowships powered by Watson Institute. We are currently recruiting for several impactful fellowship opportunities across a diverse range of locations.
  • What You Are Looking For: You are looking for expert-guided entrepreneurial training, a community of entrepreneurs to give you feedback that improves your venture, and a wide-reaching mentorship network to enhance your leadership abilities and the impact of your venture.

Benefits

  • Dates: March 4th to June 27th, 2024 (16-weeks of programming).
  • Format: Weekly virtual workshops with localized gatherings and events when possible. Sessions are held Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 8:30am – 10:30am MT.
  • Immersive: 2-week virtual Immersive beginning March 4th, 2024 (10–15 hours time commitment each week).
  • Training: Weekly expert-led modules covering Foundations, Data & Metrics, Go-To-Market, Funding, Team Management, and Pitch.
  • Impact Series: Renowned leaders, entrepreneurs, and practitioners join the fellowships we empower to share their entrepreneurial journey and experience, as well as mentor the Fellows. See previous Impact Series Speakers here.
  • Basecamp: 2-day workshops designed and led by Fellows for their own stakeholders and communities.
  • Summit: Culminating community event where select Fellows pitch to local leaders, funders, and entrepreneurs (June 27th, 2024).
  • Venture Development Stipend: $40,000 in venture development stipends distributed among chosen Ford Fund Fellows based on their progress and impact throughout the Fellowship.

How to apply?

For more information please visit the official website.