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

As a student at Aarhus 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 Aarhus 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.

Aarhus University's local incubators, such as The Kitchen and Ideas Lab, offer valuable mentorship opportunities for early-stage entrepreneurs. These programs connect founders with experienced professionals and business angels who provide guidance on various aspects of building a business, including strategy, funding, and market validation. Local mentors offer practical advice and leverage their network to help startups navigate the challenges of the entrepreneurial journey. This support is crucial for translating research into viable companies and bridging the gap in early-stage funding. The mentorship helps entrepreneurs develop their ideas, refine their business models, and prepare for scaling.

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.

Aarhus University offers various funding opportunities for student startups through its incubators like The Kitchen. The AU Launch grant is a key program providing financial support to help student and researcher-led startups demonstrate commercial potential, with grants up to DKK 250,000 per round and a maximum of DKK 400,000 per year. Additionally, the BII Futures Grant Program specifically targets Master and PhD students in life science and food tech, offering DKK 50,000 per year for activities like prototyping and market exploration. These programs aim to bridge the gap in early-stage venture capital for academic entrepreneurs.

By choosing EWOR, Aarhus 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. 

Aarhus University's incubators, like The Kitchen, cultivate a strong entrepreneurial community for students and researchers. These hubs provide a space for aspiring entrepreneurs to develop ideas and access resources. They facilitate connections through workshops, networking events, and opportunities to interact with investors and established companies. This environment encourages collaboration and the translation of academic knowledge into commercial ventures, fostering a supportive ecosystem for student startups. Some incubators also bridge the gap between students and specific industries, like the creative sector or the space industry, further enhancing networking and collaborative possibilities.

While local incubators at Aarhus 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. 

Aarhus University offers various incubators and hubs to support student entrepreneurship, including The Kitchen, Business Factory, AU Entrepreneurs - Dual Career, Hatch IT Lab, ORBIT Lab, and Food eHub. These initiatives aim to help students develop ideas into commercial realities through training, advice, and support. While the university provides physical spaces and resources, the format of programs can vary. Some activities are likely in-person, leveraging the physical incubator spaces for collaboration and access to facilities. However, the university also utilizes hybrid and remote options for certain events and potentially for aspects of incubator programs, which can increase accessibility for students who may face constraints with in-person participation. The blend of in-person and potentially hybrid/remote elements impacts student participation by offering flexibility while still providing opportunities for valuable face-to-face interaction and networking within the entrepreneurial community.

EWOR’s fully remote programmes are built for modern entrepreneurs – offering the flexibility to participate from anywhere, on your terms. Aarhus 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.

Aarhus University's local incubators, such as The Kitchen and Business Factory, offer comprehensive educational support for students developing entrepreneurial skills. They provide training, tailored advice, and support for commercialization. Special programs focus on business modeling and commercial thinking. Students can access workshops covering essential startup tools. Additionally, the university offers interdisciplinary entrepreneurship courses for Master's students, including those for beginners and those with existing startups. Gamification is also used in some courses to enhance entrepreneurial thinking. The incubators aim to support students in turning ideas and research into commercial realities.

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 Aarhus 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 Aarhus 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