The 2024 – 2025 Ford Philanthropy Mobility Fellowship Officially Launches for 400+ Mobility-Focused Entrepreneurs Expanding Access to Affordable, Reliable, and Safe Transportation
Meet the 2024–2025 Ford Philanthropy Mobility Fellows: 26 of the most promising mobility-focused entrepreneurs impacting communities across Brazil, Germany, Mexico, the Philippines, South Africa, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and Vietnam, including Ford Plant Cities. These Fellows were selected for the 2024–2025 Ford Philanthropy Mobility Fellowship from over 940 applications, representing just a 2.7% acceptance rate. In total, the Ford Philanthropy Mobility Fellowship will impact at least 375 entrepreneurs over the next year.
Ford Philanthropy and Watson Institute are thrilled to announce the launch of the 2024–2025 Ford Philanthropy Mobility Fellowship. The Ford Philanthropy Mobility Fellowship includes award-winning training, financial stipends, committed mentorship from leading experts in mobility, and the tools for the Ford Philanthropy Mobility Fellows to lead one- to three-day intensive workshops called Basecamps in their communities. Basecamps led by the Ford Philanthropy Mobility Fellows will reach an additional 375 entrepreneurs in their communities, thereby amplifying the impact of the Ford Philanthropy Mobility Fellowship.
The 2024–2025 Ford Philanthropy Mobility Fellows are advancing affordable, equitable, and safe transportation solutions in underserved communities, strengthening local economies, and driving forward the future of mobility worldwide. From carpooling apps that enable people in low-income communities to access collaborative mobility networks to EV charging networks serving underserved areas, the 2024–2025 Ford Philanthropy Mobility Fellows are building products and services that help cities and communities evolve to enable enhanced mobility. The 2024–2025 Ford Philanthropy Mobility Fellowship is designed to connect these mobility-focused entrepreneurs with access to capital, mentorship, and training that they need to scale their ventures and drive meaningful impact in their communities—ensuring that all people are empowered with freedom of movement to access the services, goods, and opportunities necessary for a dignified and independent life.
The 2024–2025 Ford Philanthropy Mobility Fellowship Cohort marks the fifth year of partnership between Ford Philanthropy and Watson Institute. This partnership has supported more than 1,600 entrepreneurs across Ford’s priority markets in the U.S. and globally. Ford Philanthropy Fellows have been named to Forbes 30 Under 30 Lists, featured on Nasdaq’s Entrepreneurial Tower in Times Square, and appeared in leading media outlets, including The Washington Post and CBS News Detroit.
“We are inspired by Ford Philanthropy’s commitment to building a better world by ensuring that all people have access to affordable, reliable, and safe transportation, and we are proud to embark on a fifth year of partnership with them to fulfill this commitment,” shared Eric Glustrom, CEO and Founder of Watson Institute. “The innovative mobility-focused entrepreneurs that make up the 2024–2025 Ford Philanthropy Mobility Fellowship Cohort are a testament to Ford Philanthropy’s dedication to diversifying the pipeline of entrepreneurs and expanding access to essential goods and services around the globe.”
The Ford Philanthropy Mobility Fellowship program embodies the very best of Ford and our efforts to bring affordable, reliable and accessible transportation solutions to those who need it most,” says Mike Schmidt, Ford Philanthropy Director of Economic Mobility. “We are grateful for our ongoing partnership with the Watson Institute and are excited to see what these Fellows achieve!”
About Ford Philanthropy
Ford Philanthropy champions equitable access to essential services, education for the future of work and entrepreneurship opportunities by harnessing Ford’s scale, resources and mobility expertise. With a 75-year legacy and $2.3 billion in contributions since 1949, Ford Philanthropy, alongside Ford Motor Company, collaborates with nonprofit partners and community organizations to invest and co-create solutions to meet unique community needs, supporting people to move forward and upward. Through impactful grantmaking, Ford Community Centers and employee volunteerism, Ford Philanthropy drives positive change in communities worldwide. For more information, visit fordphilanthropy.org or join us at @FordPhilanthropy on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
About Watson Institute
Founded in 2013, Watson Institute partners with leading corporations and foundations to power transformative Fellowships that support highly promising, historically disenfranchised rising entrepreneurs and leaders. The Fellowships provide award-winning entrepreneurship and leadership training, committed mentorship, financial stipends, long-term Alumni support, and access to a global community of peers, mentors, and opportunities. Alumni of Watson Institute’s Fellowships have raised over $185 million, created over 1,900 paid jobs, and impacted 10 million people across the U.S. and globally through their ventures.
