FedEx relies on artificial intelligence every day to manage the movement of millions of packages worldwide. From improving delivery routes and forecasting demand to enhancing customer service, technology plays a vital role in its operations. Through its Empowering Entrepreneurs initiative, FedEx is extending this approach to small business owners, helping them understand the impact of AI on their industries and learn how to apply emerging technologies to grow their businesses.
Working alongside partners such as Accion Opportunity Fund (AOF), Accion, Global Entrepreneurship Network/Hello Alice, the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC), and other organizations, FedEx is helping entrepreneurs keep pace with the evolving ways consumers search for, discover, and purchase products and services.
Participants in the FedEx E-Commerce Learning Lab have highlighted the value of the program in strengthening their digital strategies. One participant shared that the experience encouraged a more thoughtful approach to online product positioning, brand storytelling, and creating a better digital journey for customers. Another emphasized that sustainable business growth requires planning, organization, and a clear strategy alongside hard work.
Helping Small Businesses Stay Visible in the Changing World of Online Search
Artificial intelligence is transforming how consumers find products and services online. AI-generated search responses and personalized shopping assistants are changing the digital marketplace, making it increasingly important for small businesses to adapt.Through its collaboration with AOF and the FedEx E-Commerce Learning Lab, FedEx provides entrepreneurs with educational resources, mentorship, and access to capital to help them respond to these changes.
- Expanding access to business education: Since 2021, the Learning Lab has supported more than 11,000 small business owners through complimentary webinars, interactive learning modules, and practical cohort-based programs.
- Building awareness of AI-driven search: The program’s webinar on improving visibility in AI-powered search has attracted more than 12,000 views on YouTube.
- Developing practical digital skills: FedEx e-commerce specialists have taught entrepreneurs how to create product descriptions that AI tools can interpret effectively and use free analytics tools to understand how customers discover their businesses.
- Supporting social media growth: According to program outcomes, Learning Lab graduates have experienced an average increase of 400% in social media followers following their participation.
Using Technology to Strengthen Business Performance
Technology can help entrepreneurs unlock new opportunities and improve the overall health of their businesses. In 2025, FedEx concentrated on providing practical guidance in core business skills, digital adoption, and AI. Training covered areas ranging from marketing and financial management to operational efficiency and responsible technology use.- FedEx Entrepreneur Fund and Boost Camp: A total of 150 participants took part in the 12-week digital accelerator delivered in partnership with Hello Alice and the Global Entrepreneurship Network. Participants recorded an average 46% improvement in their Business Healthâ„¢ scores, while 95% reported feeling better prepared to manage challenges in their industries.
- ICIC’s Inner City Capital Connections (ICCC): Entrepreneurs who completed AI-focused training immediately closed 41% of the gap toward the highest AI-confidence level. Participants also rated the training’s value at 4.6 out of 5.
Where Technology and Sustainability Come Together
Adriana Kao, who participated in Boost Camp, established Usefull to address the growing problem of waste generated by disposable takeaway containers. Her company uses technology-enabled, trackable reusable containers to make sustainable alternatives more practical and scalable.Participation in the Boost Camp Accelerator also helped Kao achieve a significant improvement in her Business Health Scoreâ„¢, illustrating how business education can support entrepreneurs working to combine innovation with environmental responsibility.
Making Personalized Business Education More Accessible
FedEx is also supporting entrepreneurs in Latin America and India through Ovante, a digital learning platform developed by Accion. The platform incorporates AI to provide tailored business education to microentrepreneurs, including women operating businesses in communities with limited resources.- Reaching entrepreneurs worldwide: Ovante has reached more than 130,000 users globally, with women accounting for 78% of its microentrepreneur audience. The platform currently operates in Mexico, Bolivia, and India.
- AI-powered coaching in Mexico: Sofia, an AI-enabled chatbot available through WhatsApp, attracted more than 56,000 active users within its first ten months. It offers interactive guidance on topics such as setting prices, managing finances, and developing business confidence. Expanding opportunities for women in rural India: FedEx and Ovante are working toward broader, system-level impact through digital education. The initiative has reached 3,200 women in rural communities and aims to extend its reach to 50,000 by the end of 2027.
Through these partnerships and programs, FedEx is helping small businesses build digital capabilities, understand emerging technologies, and access practical resources for long-term growth. By combining AI education with mentorship and business development support, the initiative aims to ensure that entrepreneurs of different sizes and backgrounds can participate in an increasingly digital economy.
