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 Université PSL, 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 Université PSL students – and aspiring founders connected to its community – should consider applying for an EWOR fellowship.
1. Access Mentorship from Global Entrepreneurs
Top students at Université PSL 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.
Students at Université PSL are recognized for their drive in both entrepreneurial and research innovation. The university actively cultivates this spirit, providing a robust ecosystem to help budding founders and researchers turn ideas into reality. Programmes like PSL-Pépite offer crucial support, including access to the PSL-Lab coworking space and tailored guidance for student projects. PSL-Pépite also runs calls for proposals, providing financial and expert backing for early-stage ventures and prototypes developed by students and young researchers. Additionally, incubators linked to PSL institutions and the PSL Innovation Fund further support the creation and growth of student-led startups emerging from the university's research strengths.
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.
Even with the strong support systems at Université PSL, students looking for startup funding can hit roadblocks. Navigating the broader French startup ecosystem's regulatory landscape can be complex. While PSL offers networks, breaking into established investor circles or overcoming potential biases can still be a hurdle for some. Securing that initial capital in a competitive environment, even with university backing, requires a compelling project and strong pitching skills.
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
Université PSL 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.”
Université PSL cultivates successful startup ideas by fostering rich interdisciplinary collaboration. Bringing together students from diverse fields like engineering, business, and design sparks unique perspectives essential for real-world innovation. Programs such as PSL-iTeams and the Deeptech and Innovation minor actively form multidisciplinary teams, providing students with the skills and support needed to transform ideas into viable ventures. This cross-faculty synergy, supported by incubators and expert mentorship, prepares students effectively for the complexities of entrepreneurial challenges.
If you’re already leading projects or exploring startup ideas at Université PSL, 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 Université PSL, 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.
Top students at Université PSL thrive in demanding settings, whether pushing boundaries through cutting-edge research, excelling under rigorous academic standards, or leading ambitious student projects. This constant engagement with high performance makes joining a selective, global network like EWOR a logical next step. EWOR offers a community of equally driven peers and provides real-world startup support, enabling these students to extend their growth and ambitions far beyond the university environment.
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 Université PSL, 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.
About the Author |
EWOR Team
EWOR is a radically selective fellowship backing the world's top 0.1% of founders. We invest €500,000 per founder and provide intensive, bespoke support from full-time unicorn builders (SumUp, Adjust, ProGlove). Our virtual-first model helps outliers scale faster and smarter anywhere globally, tackling significant challenges and raising substantial follow-on funding.
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