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

As a student at Brown 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 Brown 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.

Brown University's local incubators, such as programs offered through the Nelson Center for Entrepreneurship, provide valuable mentorship opportunities for early-stage entrepreneurs. The Breakthrough Lab (B-Lab), for instance, connects student ventures with experienced mentors for tailored guidance. The Young Entrepreneurs Program (YEP!) also utilizes Brown students as mentors for local high schoolers, helping them develop business ideas and pitching skills. The value of these local mentors lies in their ability to offer firsthand expertise and advice, often drawing from their own experiences as founders or professionals in the community. They provide crucial support in navigating challenges, refining business plans, and developing essential entrepreneurial skills. This local network fosters a supportive ecosystem, contributing to the growth of new ventures and the broader entrepreneurial community in Rhode Island.

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.

Brown University's Nelson Center for Entrepreneurship offers various funding opportunities for student startups. These include early-stage Explore Grants (up to $250) for validating ideas and Expand Grants (up to $1000) for building prototypes. The intensive summer Breakthrough Lab accelerator provides participating teams with a stipend and resources. More advanced ventures can compete for the Brown Venture Prize, which offers up to $25,000. Additionally, specific grants like the Anti-Black and Systemic Racism Venture Grants and Climate Change Grants are available. The Brown Entrepreneurship Program, a student initiative under the Nelson Center, also provides grants ranging from $100 to $10,000.

By choosing EWOR, Brown 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. 

Brown University's local incubators foster a strong network and community for students. Programs like Breakthrough Lab (B-Lab) and the Community Lab @ Nelson bring together Brown and RISD students to develop ventures and create scalable solutions. These spaces emphasize interdisciplinary collaboration and connect students with faculty, advisors, and staff. The Social Innovation Fellowship, a partnership with Social Enterprise Greenhouse, provides training, mentorship from business and community leaders, and hands-on experience. Additionally, student organizations like Brown EP and initiatives like Young Entrepreneurs of Providence, led by Brown undergraduates, further build connections and provide mentorship opportunities for students and even local high schoolers. This interconnected community helps students build valuable connections and collaborate on entrepreneurial endeavors.

While local incubators at Brown 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. 

Brown University is involved in local entrepreneurship ecosystems, including providing space for incubators. For example, Brown is providing significant space for Ocean State Labs, Rhode Island's first commercial life sciences startup incubator. This facility is designed to support early-stage biotechnology and medical companies with lab spaces, co-working areas, and technology. Brown also has new life sciences lab space at Point 225, available for researchers. While specific details on the format (in-person, remote, or hybrid) of all Brown-affiliated incubators aren't explicitly stated, the nature of life sciences research and lab space suggests a significant in-person component. Some entrepreneurship programs or internships associated with Brown may offer hybrid or remote options, which can increase accessibility for students. The format of programs impacts student participation by determining the need for physical presence, which can affect students with time constraints, geographical limitations, or those who benefit from the flexibility of remote work.

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

Brown University's Nelson Center for Entrepreneurship is a key hub for educational support, offering a range of programs to foster entrepreneurial skills. Students can pursue an Entrepreneurship Certificate, similar to a minor, to gain targeted pre-professional skills. The center provides various courses, such as "The Entrepreneurial Process" and "Social Entrepreneurship," which use case studies and guest speakers to teach venture creation and social innovation. Beyond traditional coursework, Brown offers experiential learning opportunities like the Breakthrough Lab (B-Lab), an 8-week summer accelerator program for developing high-impact ventures. Workshops and initiatives like the Innovation Dojo and Hack@Brown also provide hands-on experience and challenge students to think innovatively. The university connects students with mentors, alumni networks, and funding opportunities to support their entrepreneurial journey.

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 Brown 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 Brown 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