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

As a student at Berkeley, 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 Berkeley 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.

Berkeley's local incubators, such as Berkeley SkyDeck and The Batchery, offer significant mentorship opportunities for early-stage entrepreneurs. SkyDeck boasts a network of 750 advisors and mentors, including UC Berkeley alumni, industry experts, and investors. These mentors provide guidance on crucial aspects like product development, customer acquisition, fundraising, and go-to-market strategies through one-on-one sessions and workshops. The value of these local mentors lies in their Silicon Valley experience and connections within the Berkeley ecosystem, including access to UC Berkeley's resources and alumni network. This support helps startups refine their business models, avoid common pitfalls, and prepare for scaling and securing funding. The Batchery also provides a network of experienced local investors, advisors, and mentors to assist startups.

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.

Berkeley offers various funding opportunities for student startups through its local incubators and programs. Berkeley SkyDeck, a prominent accelerator, provides accepted startups with a $200,000 investment in exchange for equity. They also have a fund that can participate in later funding rounds. The CITRIS Foundry, while not offering direct funding, supports deep tech startups with resources and mentorship to prepare them for investment. Additionally, the Haas School of Business provides seed funding through programs like the Trione Student Venture Fund and the Sega Sammy Fund for New Media, offering $5,000 awards for early-stage student ventures. Free Ventures is another option, providing equity-free funds to student teams. These programs, along with others like The House Fund and various grants, contribute to a robust ecosystem for student entrepreneurship at Berkeley.

By choosing EWOR, Berkeley 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. 

Berkeley's local incubators, like SkyDeck and Bakar Bio Labs, cultivate a strong network and community for students. SkyDeck, for instance, encourages student engagement through programs like Pad-13, intern fairs, and internal internships, facilitating connections with startups and the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem. Bakar Bio Labs also emphasizes community, bringing together like-minded teams to share insights. These incubators connect students with advisors, mentors, investors, and industry partners, providing valuable guidance and networking opportunities. They also host workshops, events, and programs designed to help students develop their ideas, build business models, and collaborate with peers and professionals. This environment helps students build connections and gain the resources needed to launch their ventures.

While local incubators at Berkeley 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. 

Berkeley offers various incubators with different structures and accessibility. Some, like Bakar Labs, provide physical lab and office space with equipment for biotech and life science startups, operating in-person. Others, such as the Social Science Matrix, support interdisciplinary working groups and offer hybrid in-person and remote discussions. Programs like Pitch Global have shifted to a hybrid model, with both online and in-person events, including pitching opportunities at UC Berkeley's SF campus. This hybrid approach, also seen in some MBA programs, can increase accessibility for students who may face challenges with a fully in-person model. The availability of both in-person facilities and hybrid/remote options impacts student participation by offering flexibility and catering to diverse needs and locations.

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

Berkeley's local incubators, such as those associated with UC Berkeley like SkyDeck and programs through the Sutardja Center for Entrepreneurship & Technology (SCET) and the Haas School of Business, offer robust educational support for aspiring entrepreneurs. This includes workshops, courses, and immersive programs designed to develop entrepreneurial skills. For example, the SCET offers the "Berkeley Method of Entrepreneurship Bootcamp," an intensive workshop covering venture creation. The Haas School of Business provides programs like the Berkeley Business Academy for Youth (B-BAY), which includes courses on business fundamentals, marketing, and finance for different age groups. Additionally, there are certificate programs and courses focusing on entrepreneurial execution, venture finance, and marketing tactics. These initiatives often involve lectures, hands-on projects, mentorship from industry experts, and networking opportunities.

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 Berkeley'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 Berkeley 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