Welcome to the HFEA Community!

Meet the people that work behind the scenes, and in front of the classroom, to bring the Henry Ford Entrepreneurship Academy to life! We are often expanding our bench to meet the ever-changing demands of start-up communities! 

Our partnership with The Ford Motor Company Fund

The HFEA is made possible due to the generous program support provided by The Ford Motor Company Fund (The Ford Fund). 

The Ford Fund is the corporate foundation and philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company. As the automaker's philanthropic arm, Ford Motor Company Fund has been supporting underserved and underrepresented communities for more than 70 years. Working with dealers and nonprofit partners in more than 50 countries, Ford Fund provides access to opportunities and resources that help people reach their full potential. Since 1949, Ford Fund has invested more than $2.1 billion in programs that support education, promote safe driving, enrich community life and encourage employee volunteering. For more information, visit www.fordfund.org 
Increase your ENTREPRENEURIAL capacity

Learn More About HFEA

Entrepreneurs, true to their nature, are moving at a pace that sometimes overlooks the value of critical analysis, self-reflection, and strategic planning. In fact, many entrepreneurs launch products and services without crafting an adaptive business model.

The Henry Ford Entrepreneurship Academy is designed to prepare the entrepreneur for their journey. We understand that iteration is a part of the process, and that includes iterating and expanding upon your own entrepreneurial capacity. Instead of focusing on the product or service, the Academy offers workshops to increase the awareness of the entrepreneur.

By engaging in self-discovery, participants define their story, focus on their passion and desired position in the market, and learn how to listen to their stakeholders. They learn about business models, strategic planning -- and fail forward along the way in an environment that is designed to grow confidence, self-awareness, and business acumen.
Meet our world-class team of instructors
In-Person Experiences

Our flagship programs

The Entrepreneur's Journey equips current and future entrepreneurs with the tools and know-how to move their idea or venture to the next stage.  The Entrepreneur's Journey, which focuses on self-awareness and self-development, asks the founder to connect with their lived experience and make their human story an integrated part of their value proposition.  This workshop takes a deep dive into three domains that affect an entrepreneur's ability to succeed: Human Story, Mindset and Set of Activities. 
The Design Thinking Course, developed by our colleagues at the Henry Ford Learning Institute, focuses on empathy and co-creation. During this highly iterative workshop, participants will practice using Design Thinking tools and methods that support community-engaged entrepreneurship. Participants will explore non-traditional methods to connect with a range of stakeholders and apply those new leanings to personal business endeavors. This workshop empowers participants to clarify their vision, and refine their products and services to strengthen their business propositions and deliver increased value to their communities.
Our Social Impact course focuses on community engagement and impact assessment.  This workshop leads participants through a series of systems thinking scenarios to better implement strategies that create impact. This course asks founders to examine processes, operational goals, and metrics to quantify current and future effect on the communities they serve. This course also explores technological capabilities, data compilation and analytics, and alternative finance options. 

Additional Workshops:

Short sessions are designed to focus on elements of an entrepreneur's journey.
  • Business Foundations for Entrepreneurs 
  • Business Model Canvas
  • Designing a Compelling Brand
  • Digital Literacy
  • Exploring a Growth Mindset
  • Leveraging Personal Strengths
  • Measuring Impact
  • Supply Chain Management
  • Your Value Proposition

Hear from successful Entrepreneurs:
 HFEA Podcast

Hear from friends, colleagues, business partners, and fellow entrepreneurs
as they explore their journey as founders.
Don't hesitate

Start Your Journey Today.