The EWOR Advantage: 5 Reasons Aalto University Students Should Look Beyond Local Incubators

As a student at Aalto University, you may be familiar with the local incubators and entrepreneurial programmes offered on campus. While these initiatives provide valuable support, expanding your horizons could significantly increase your odds of long-term success. In fact, one study found that 87% of startups that went through top-tier programmes were still active after five years, compared to just 44% of those that went it alone. That’s the kind of difference the right programme can make.

But how do you know if an incubator programme is right for you? With so many rigid, one-size-fits-all options out there, finding the right fit can be tough. That’s where EWOR comes in: a uniquely flexible platform combining global mentorship, funding opportunities, and a prestigious network – designed specifically to help ambitious founders thrive.

In this article, we’ll explore five key reasons why Aalto University students should look beyond their local incubators and consider EWOR to accelerate their entrepreneurial journey.

1. Access to Global Mentorship

Many university incubators and local programmes offer mentorship from faculty, alumni, or nearby founders. While helpful, these perspectives are often limited to regional markets and conventional startup paths.

EWOR operates borderless, on a global scale. Fellows are paired with mentors who have founded and scaled companies across continents and industries – including unicorns like SumUp, Adjust, and ProGlove. Rather than sporadic office hours, mentorship is built into the fabric of the programme – modular, consistent, and personal.

Aalto University's local incubators, such as Aalto Startup Center, provide valuable mentorship opportunities for early-stage entrepreneurs. These incubators are deeply embedded within the Finnish startup ecosystem and leverage close ties with academic institutions and research centers. Local mentors, often experienced entrepreneurs and industry experts, offer tailored guidance, advice, and support to help startups navigate challenges and make strategic decisions. This one-to-one mentoring is a key aspect of the programs, assisting with areas like market research, product development, and team building. The value of these local connections lies in their understanding of the specific market and access to relevant networks, accelerating growth and increasing the quality of new innovative companies.

With EWOR, you’ll have the chance to work with mentors who have scaled their businesses across different countries and industries, providing invaluable insights that can help your startup succeed in the global marketplace.

2. Larger Funding Opportunities

While local incubators may provide grants or limited seed funding, securing substantial capital is often a challenge for early-stage entrepreneurs. EWOR offers up to €500,000 in initial funding for selected startups, which can significantly boost your ability to develop your business. Moreover, EWOR provides access to a global network of investors, venture capital firms, and angel investors, ensuring that you have the opportunity to secure further rounds of funding as your startup grows.

Aalto University's ecosystem provides various funding opportunities for student startups through its local incubators and programs. While direct financial support isn't always provided by the university's programs themselves, they offer access to a network of affiliated financiers and investors in the Helsinki ecosystem. Programs like the Aalto Startup Center's Business Generator offer tailored mentoring and investor matchmaking. Additionally, specific initiatives like the European Space Agency Business Incubation Centre (ESA BIC) Finland, which operates out of Aalto Startup Center, aim to financially and technically support space-related startups. There are also seed funding calls, such as those in collaboration with other universities, that support research collaboration which can lead to new ventures. The Aalto Digital Creatives Pre-Incubator Programme also helps creative industry students develop their ideas into viable businesses and refine their pitching skills for potential investors.

By choosing EWOR, Aalto University students can tap into larger funding sources, giving them the financial support needed to scale their businesses more effectively.

3. A Highly Selective and Prestigious Network

One of the main advantages of EWOR is the highly selective nature of its community. EWOR accepts only the top 0.1% of applicants, bringing together some of the world’s most talented and ambitious entrepreneurs. 

This exclusivity doesn’t just elevate the quality of each cohort — it also unlocks access to an extraordinary network of investors, mentors, and industry leaders. Just to name a few: Fabrice Grinda, one of the world’s leading angel investors and founder of OLX; Christian Kroll, founder of Ecosia, Europe’s largest search engine after Google; and Vaitea Cowan, co-founder of Enapter, (€640M IPO) and a Forbes’ 30 Under 30 in Energy. 

Aalto University fosters a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem through its local incubators and the broader community. This environment helps students build connections and collaborate in several ways. Initiatives like Aaltoes, a large student-run entrepreneurship society, organize numerous events and provide networking opportunities. The university's incubators, such as Aalto Startup Center and Urban Tech Helsinki, offer programs and services that bring together students, researchers, investors, and established companies. These platforms facilitate the commercialization of research ideas and support early-stage startups. The focus is on creating a collaborative network where students can find teams, develop ideas, receive mentorship, and gain access to a wider ecosystem. This interconnected community, including co-working spaces like Startup Sauna and hubs like A Grid, provides a fertile ground for students to connect, share knowledge, and build successful ventures.

While local incubators at Aalto University may provide valuable networking within the campus or regional ecosystem, EWOR’s global network opens doors to entirely new levels of collaboration. Fellows work alongside peers from dozens of countries and industries, connecting with elite investors, unicorn founders, and seasoned operators.

As many fellows have said, the community is one of the most unexpected – and most valuable – parts of the experience. “The real magic lies in the community: the kind of conversations, insights, and connections that lead not only to breakthroughs – but to lasting friendships with some of the most fascinating people they’ve ever met”.

4. Flexibility and Remote Access

Many local incubators require in-person participation, which can be limiting for students balancing coursework, part-time jobs, or other commitments. 

Aalto University's local incubators, such as the Aalto Creatives pre-incubator and Aalto Startup Center, are key components of the university's entrepreneurial ecosystem. They offer comprehensive support, including business advisory services, workshops, coaching, and access to technology and industry experts. These programs primarily operate in-person on the Aalto University campus in Otaniemi, Espoo, Finland. For example, the Aalto Creatives pre-incubator requires applicants to participate in weekly on-campus workshops. This in-person structure, while fostering a strong on-campus innovation hub and facilitating direct interaction and networking, may limit participation for students who are unable to be physically present in the Helsinki capital region. Some programs, like Aalto Startup Center, describe themselves as "sustainability-driven hybrid accelerator offering its own incubator and accelerator services, as well as several partnership programs". However, specific incubator programs, like the Aalto Creatives pre-incubator, explicitly state they are not available in remote or hybrid mode.

EWOR’s fully remote programmes are built for modern entrepreneurs – offering the flexibility to participate from anywhere, on your terms. Aalto University students can access top-tier mentorship, founder-led education, and global resources without needing to relocate or follow a rigid schedule. Whether you’re validating an idea or scaling your first product, you’ll have the freedom to build around your life, not the other way around.

And if you're worried about missing out on in-person connection – don’t be. EWOR hosts real-world gatherings like the EWOR Connect and EWOR House, a multi-day retreat where fellows, alumni, and investors connect in person. We also organise city-based meetups and our flagship Grand Pitch event, which brings hundreds of top-tier investors together twice a year. So while the programme is remote-first, it’s far from remote-only.

5. Comprehensive Entrepreneurial Education

Local incubators often provide valuable workshops and learning modules, but they may be limited in scope and depth. EWOR offers over 200 exclusive videos, workshops, and educational modules designed by top entrepreneurs and industry experts. This comprehensive entrepreneurial education covers everything from refining your business idea to scaling and securing funding, ensuring that you develop both as an entrepreneur and a leader.

Aalto University's local incubators provide educational support to help students develop entrepreneurial skills. This includes workshops, courses, and learning modules. For example, the Aalto Creatives Pre-incubator Program offers modules covering Asset, Solution, and Business Development, with workshops, lectures, and individual coaching. Aalto also offers over 60 courses in entrepreneurship and product development, and online courses for flexible learning. These programs aim to equip students with skills like understanding user needs, creative problem-solving, and effective communication, valuable for both launching startups and working in existing companies.

With EWOR, you’ll gain access to a more extensive and detailed entrepreneurial education, giving you the tools needed to overcome challenges and succeed in today’s competitive startup landscape.

That’s a Wrap

While Aalto University's local incubators offer great resources for students starting their entrepreneurial journey, EWOR provides an unmatched opportunity for those looking to take their startup to the next level. With access to global mentorship, larger funding opportunities, a highly selective network, flexible remote programmes, and comprehensive entrepreneurial education, EWOR offers Aalto University students the chance to build and scale their startups on a global stage. If you’re ready to look beyond local incubators and accelerate your entrepreneurial success, EWOR could be the ideal platform for you.

Image credits: Andrew Stutesman on Unsplash