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

As a student at Boston 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 Boston 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.

Boston University's Innovate@BU is a central hub for entrepreneurship, offering various resources including mentorship. Local incubators like MassChallenge and Techstars Boston, while not solely affiliated with BU, are part of the Boston ecosystem and provide extensive mentorship networks accessible to early-stage entrepreneurs. These programs connect startups with experienced professionals and executives from diverse industries, offering guidance on business plans, pitching, prototyping, and scaling. The value of local mentors lies in their understanding of the Boston market and their ability to provide relevant connections and insights. Programs like BU Spark! also pair students with mentors for tech-focused projects. This local support is crucial for navigating challenges and accelerating growth for new ventures.

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.

Boston University offers various funding opportunities for student startups through its entrepreneurial ecosystem, primarily centered around Innovate@BU. Programs like the Summer Accelerator provide significant funding, with teams receiving up to $10,000. The Innovation Pathway also offers funding as ventures progress through different milestones. Additionally, students can explore grant programs such as the Sustainability Innovation Seed Grants and participate in competitions like the $80K New Venture Competition, which awards cash prizes. While specific seed funding amounts can vary, these programs collectively offer crucial financial support and resources for student entrepreneurs.

By choosing EWOR, Boston 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. 

Boston University's local incubators foster a strong community for student entrepreneurs. Centers like Innovate@BU and the BUild Lab provide physical spaces for collaboration and resources. The Entrepreneur's Club also serves as a hub, connecting students with shared interests and providing networking opportunities through meetings and events. Programs like the Terrier Startup Challenge encourage team formation and collaborative problem-solving. The university also promotes interdisciplinary collaboration, such as the Collaborative Arts Incubator, bringing together students from different fields to work on innovative projects. This network of incubators, clubs, and programs helps students build connections, find collaborators, and access mentorship and resources to develop their ventures.

While local incubators at Boston 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. 

Boston University offers various resources for student entrepreneurship, including incubators and accelerators. While specific details on every program's format (in-person, remote, or hybrid) aren't uniformly available, BU has implemented hybrid learning models for many programs, allowing students to participate both in person and remotely. This "Learn from Anywhere" approach aims to provide flexibility and accommodate students' needs and circumstances, potentially increasing accessibility for those who cannot be physically present on campus. Incubators generally provide resources like workspace, mentorship, training, and networking opportunities. The accessibility and structure of these programs can vary depending on the specific incubator and its funding.

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

Boston University's Innovate@BU offers substantial educational support for aspiring student entrepreneurs. Their IDG Capital Student Innovation Center provides a collaborative workspace and connects students with resources like design, prototyping, legal advice, and marketing assistance. Key programs include coaching, office hours with experts, and skill-building workshops covering topics from customer discovery to financing. Innovate@BU also hosts numerous events, such as Pitch and Pizza nights and the annual New Venture Competition, providing feedback and funding opportunities. More intensive programs like the Summer Accelerator and Innovation Pathway offer workshops, mentorship, and funding to help students launch and grow their ventures. Additionally, BU offers entrepreneurship courses across various schools and an Innovation & Entrepreneurship Minor.

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 Boston 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 Boston 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