5 Reasons Why ETH Zurich Students Should Apply for EWOR

What do Google, Snapchat, and FedEx all have in common? They were all started by university students with an idea – and the drive to build something bigger than themselves.

That same entrepreneurial energy exists on campuses like ETH Zurich, where bright minds are solving tough problems, pushing boundaries in research, and testing ideas that could shape the future. If you’re already thinking beyond the classroom – building a product, exploring a concept, or wondering what it would take to make it real – EWOR might be precisely what you need.

We’re a founder-first ecosystem designed to support people with the drive to build. Whether you're still studying or already working on your first venture, EWOR offers flexible support, access to unicorn builders, experienced mentors, and funding opportunities to help you go further, faster – on your terms.

Here are five reasons why ETH Zurich students – and aspiring founders connected to its community – should consider applying for an EWOR fellowship.

1. Access Mentorship from Global Entrepreneurs

Top students at ETH Zurich often benefit from academic mentorship and interdisciplinary collaboration – whether through business, engineering, or design faculties. These environments foster innovative thinking and encourage the development of early-stage ideas.

ETH Zurich students are recognized for their strong engagement in entrepreneurial and research-driven innovation, often turning their academic work into real-world applications. The university actively supports this through several key programmes aimed at early-stage founders and student ventures. Initiatives like the Student Project House provide essential space, coaching, and workshops for developing initial ideas. The student-led ETH Entrepreneur Club fosters the ecosystem through events and a co-working space, while ETH Entrepreneurship acts as a central hub for support. Additionally, ETH juniors offers funding opportunities such as the jFund and the Boost program, helping students accelerate their startups. This comprehensive support system contributes to a dynamic environment where student-led spin-offs frequently emerge.

EWOR builds on that foundation by connecting founders to mentors who’ve actually built and scaled companies. From unicorn founders to early-stage investors, our mentors offer 1:1 support tailored to your journey – whether you're refining your go-to-market, navigating early hires, or preparing for your first raise. And, because our mentors work hard to personally know your context, they’re better equipped to give actionable feedback, intros, and hands-on perspectives you won’t find in a one-size-fits-all model.

This kind of bespoke real-world guidance bridges the gap between classroom learning and startup execution – helping you move faster and make smarter decisions from day one.

2. Access to Funding and Investment Opportunities

For early-stage founders, access to capital can be the difference between an idea that stays on paper and one that gets built. Yet, funding opportunities aren’t always clear or accessible – especially if you're just starting out.

ETH Zurich students looking to fund their startups often hit roadblocks. Accessing external capital, especially venture capital and angel investment, can be tougher compared to places like the UK. Securing that crucial early-stage seed funding is a particular hurdle, making it difficult to finance initial feasibility studies for promising technologies. Many students also find they lack the necessary education in entrepreneurship and struggle to get the initial capital needed to fully commit to developing their ideas. Additionally, deep tech ventures, frequently emerging from universities, can face challenges attracting VCs who may prefer faster returns than these require. Getting innovative lab work ready for the market also demands time and upfront investment.

EWOR provides up to €500,000 in early-stage funding for selected fellows, with a capped valuation that favours founders. But funding is just the surface. Unlike traditional VCs who bring capital but little time, or angels who offer scattered advice, EWOR acts more like a co-founder – pairing capital with hands-on guidance and long-term alignment.

Our network includes hundreds of active European investors, and we help founders prepare for conversations that matter – from building the right narrative to structuring smart deals. In fact, EWOR fellows go on to raise an average of €1 to €11 million within six months of their fellowship— not by chance, but by design.

3. No Traction Needed. No Industry Limits.

Unlike many other programmes, you don’t need traction, a co-founder, or a pitch deck to apply to EWOR. And you definitely don’t need to be building in a specific industry. We support early-stage founders – including students – who are serious about solving real problems, even if they’re just starting out.

In fact, we’re idea-agnostic. Whether you’re exploring a solution in AI, education, energy, health tech, finance, or sustainability – or still figuring out what you want to build – we focus on your potential, not your polish. Because real impact starts with mindset, not perfection.

That’s why we’ve backed founders across a wide range of industries – from Jørgen Tveit, who’s building a next-gen underwater flywheel for energy storage, to Rihab Lajmi, who’s developing a conversational AI recruiter, and Faris Fakhry, who’s leading the creation of a new fission test reactor. Different industries, different ideas, but the same potential to make a real-world difference.

As a student, you may not have a company yet, but you might have the founder mindset, and that’s exactly where EWOR comes in. We don’t just offer community – we provide structure. Through a clear development path that includes ideation, prototyping, and investor readiness, our fellowships help turn early ambition into real momentum. And because you’re building alongside peers at a similar stage, you’ll benefit from shared accountability, feedback, and support – without having to figure it all out alone.

4. Become Part of Something Bigger

ETH Zurich has long been a launchpad for innovation. Whether it’s through research labs, startup competitions, or entrepreneurial student societies, it’s a place where ambitious individuals test ideas, build early projects, and push the boundaries of what’s possible.

EWOR amplifies that momentum. As a fellow, you're surrounded by a global network of high-performing peers – deep-tech PhDs, top-tier athletes, former Tesla engineers, and repeat founders. It’s not just a community – it’s a culture where ambition is expected, and progress is contagious. As EWOR mentor, Olaf Schmitz put it,

“This is not just a community – it’s a movement towards sustainable and transformative change... The courage and creativity displayed by each new entrepreneur reaffirms my belief that our collective efforts can forge a better tomorrow.”

At ETH Zurich, fostering connections across disciplines is key to cultivating successful student startups. By bringing together bright minds from engineering, business, design, and other fields, the university creates a fertile ground for innovation. This cross-pollination of expertise allows students to develop well-rounded ideas that address real-world problems from multiple angles, moving beyond purely technical concepts to consider market viability and user needs. This collaborative environment, supported by various initiatives and programs, not only sparks creative solutions but also equips students with the diverse perspectives and skills essential for navigating the complexities of the entrepreneurial journey.

If you’re already leading projects or exploring startup ideas at ETH Zurich, EWOR gives you the structure, accountability, and global network to take your next step. It’s an ecosystem for students who want to build beyond the campus – and be part of something that doesn’t stop at graduation.

5. Join a Prestigious Global Network of Entrepreneurs

Being part of EWOR means joining an exclusive, global network of high-achieving individuals who are building at the highest level. With an acceptance rate below 0.1%, the fellowship is highly selective – ensuring each founder receives focused, tailored support to move fast and build with confidence.

That kind of environment might sound intense – but if you’re thriving at ETH Zurich, you’re likely already operating at that level. Students here are used to high-performance settings – whether through rigorous academics, cutting-edge research, or leading ambitious projects within entrepreneurial societies. Many are already working on ideas with real potential but lack the global network or structure to take them further.

ETH Zurich cultivates a high-performance mindset through its rigorous academics, cutting-edge research opportunities like summer fellowships, and dynamic student-led initiatives such as the Entrepreneur Club. Students here are accustomed to pushing boundaries and operating in demanding environments. Joining a selective global network like EWOR is a logical next step, offering a community of equally driven peers and experienced founders. EWOR provides tailored support, mentorship, and access to vital resources and funding, enabling ETH graduates to translate their ambitious ideas into real-world startups beyond the university setting.

EWOR fills that gap. It’s not just a programme that is over in a matter of months – it’s a long-term community of builders, thinkers, and operators committed to solving problems. Surrounded by people who match your ambition and pace, you’ll gain the peer support, accountability, and exposure needed to grow beyond the university setting – and build something that lasts.

That’s a Wrap

As a student at ETH Zurich, you already operate in a high-performance environment – surrounded by brilliant minds, breakthrough ideas, and bold ambitions. But if you’re serious about turning that momentum into something bigger, it takes more than just potential. It takes the right backing.

EWOR is built for students like you – those ready to move fast, think globally, and build with purpose. From tailored mentorship and early-stage funding to a global network of top-tier founders, it’s not just another opportunity – it’s the next step for those who refuse to settle.

If you’re ready to build at the highest level, apply for an EWOR fellowship and take your venture from idea to execution – with the ecosystem to match your ambition.

Image credits: by Dom Fou on Unsplash