5 Reasons Why KU Leuven 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 KU Leuven, 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 KU Leuven students – and aspiring founders connected to its community – should consider applying for an EWOR fellowship.

1. Access Mentorship from Global Entrepreneurs

Top students at KU Leuven 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.

KU Leuven has a strong reputation for fostering entrepreneurial and research-based innovation among its students. The university actively supports students in translating their innovative ideas into successful ventures. KU Leuven KICK, the university's entrepreneurial community, serves as a central hub offering guidance, coaching, and resources for students, researchers, and professors interested in entrepreneurship. They provide tailored support, workshops to sharpen entrepreneurial skills, and even co-working spaces at KICK House. Recent initiatives like the KU Leuven KICK Grant provide promising student teams with seed funding to help launch their startups. Additionally, programs such as the Postgraduate 'Technovation: Teams & Startups' offer students the chance to gain practical experience by working on innovative team projects or developing their own startup. KU Leuven Research & Development (LRD) also plays a key role, assisting students during the startup phase and helping them navigate the process of turning a business idea into a real company.

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.

It seems getting that initial bit of cash to turn a good idea into a working concept can be a hurdle for students. You often need some funding to build a prototype or do market research before investors take a serious look. Plus, things like getting solid legal advice can be expensive when you're just starting out with limited funds.

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

KU Leuven 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.”

KU Leuven cultivates a vibrant environment for student entrepreneurship by championing interdisciplinary collaboration. Bringing together aspiring innovators from engineering, business, design, and other faculties allows for a rich exchange of ideas and perspectives. Through practical projects and dedicated programs, students tackle real-world challenges in diverse teams, mirroring the complexities of the startup world. This cross-pollination of expertise helps students develop well-rounded solutions, combining technical feasibility with market understanding and user-centered design. Such hands-on experience, supported by the university's entrepreneurial ecosystem, is crucial in preparing students to navigate the challenges of launching successful ventures.

If you’re already leading projects or exploring startup ideas at KU Leuven, 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 KU Leuven, 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.

KU Leuven cultivates top students within a high-performing environment, marked by rigorous academics and a strong emphasis on cutting-edge research. Many also actively participate in student-led initiatives and entrepreneurial programs, demonstrating ambition and a drive to create impact. For these individuals, joining a selective global network like EWOR is a logical next step. EWOR provides a community of equally ambitious peers and access to experienced founders and investors, offering the real-world startup support, mentorship, and connections needed to grow beyond the academic 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 KU Leuven, 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