• The Henry Ford Entrepreneurship Academy (HFEA) workshops equip future entrepreneurs with tools to develop their business skills
• HFEA delivers workshops in Egypt, Morrocco, Romania, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, the UAE, and the US
• The workshops aim to align with the objectives outlined in the UAE’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 18 September, 2023 – Following its success in Saudi Arabia, the Henry Ford Entrepreneurship Academy (HFEA) has returned to the region, hosting a series of workshops hosted at the Higher Colleges of Technology - Dubai Women’s Campus to help upskill the UAE’s next generation of businesswomen.

Having taken place from 11-13 September, the workshops provided training for 180 aspiring businesswomen in the Emirates and valuable skills to future entrepreneurs.

HFEA has a track record of successful partnerships, working with students at Riyadh’s Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University and Jeddah’s Effat University to deliver the training.

Since its launch in 2015, the Henry Ford Entrepreneurship Academy has trained close to 350 entrepreneurs across the Middle East and North Africa. With The Entrepreneurship Journey developed in collaboration with the US’ Virginia Commonwealth University and Ireland’s Dublin City University Business School, the HFEA workshops offer attendees a useful bridge between entrepreneurship theory and application.

The academy’s workshops have also been developed to support the UAE’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which champions gender equality and empowerment for women and girls. These workshops provide a rich, interactive environment for aspiring entrepreneurs to experiment with and develop their business ideas with support from experienced mentors and coaches.

“Following the success of HFEA across the border in Saudi Arabia, Ford is thrilled to come back to the Gulf with a program tailor-made for aspiring businesswomen in the UAE, alongside the Higher Colleges of Technology - Dubai Women’s Campus. The Entrepreneurship Journey learning framework will continue to enhance participants’ entrepreneurial skillset, giving them the tools to deliver think and act like successful businesspeople.” said Jane Holloway, Manager of Ford Fund at Ford International Markets Group.

"Empowering Emirati women in the entrepreneurial landscape is a priority for us at the Higher Colleges of Technology," said Dr. Veselina Yankova, Academic Program Chair Innovation and Entrepreneurship at HCT. "This collaboration with the Henry Ford Entrepreneurship Academy has been instrumental in equipping our female students with the skills and mindset they need to thrive as future entrepreneurs.”

The Henry Ford Entrepreneurship Academy is part of Ford’s global commitment to providing access and opportunities for women. From its Driving Skills for Life for Her program to projects focused on helping end human trafficking, as well as numerous initiatives that provide professional development and leadership training globally, the Ford Fund has long supported programs that help women succeed by overcoming social, educational and financial obstacles.