The EWOR Advantage: 5 Reasons Chinese University of Hong Kong Students Should Look Beyond Local Incubators

As a student at Chinese University of Hong Kong, 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 Chinese University of Hong Kong 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.

CUHK's local incubators, such as the Pi Centre and programs supported by the Office of Research and Knowledge Transfer Services and the Centre for Entrepreneurship, offer valuable mentorship to early-stage entrepreneurs. These initiatives connect students and alumni with experienced business and industry experts, including successful entrepreneurs and investors. Local mentors provide crucial support by offering practical advice, sharing their networks, and helping startups navigate the specific challenges and opportunities within the Hong Kong and Greater Bay Area markets. They assist with refining business models, setting actionable targets, seeking investment, and facilitating collaborations. This local expertise is vital for early-stage ventures to build a strong foundation and accelerate their development.

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.

Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) offers various funding opportunities for student startups through its local incubators and programs. The PI Centre, for instance, provides admitted teams with up to HK$130,000 in startup seed funding, along with co-working space, training, and mentorship for a year under the PILOTS Lite program. Additionally, the I‧CARE Social Enterprise Startup Scheme (SESS) offers seed funding, with some teams receiving HK$100,000 to launch their social enterprises. CUHK also participates in the Technology Start-up Support Scheme for Universities (TSSSU), which provides substantial annual funding to universities to support technology startups, with each eligible startup potentially receiving up to HK$1.5 million per year for up to three years. These initiatives, among others like the Youth Entrepreneurship Assistance Scheme, aim to nurture entrepreneurial talent and facilitate the commercialization of innovative ideas.

By choosing EWOR, Chinese University of Hong Kong 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. 

CUHK's local incubators, such as the Pi Centre, cultivate a network and community to support student entrepreneurship. The Pi Centre provides workspace, facilities, and mentoring services to student teams. They connect students with regional resources, including investor networks, other incubators like Cyberport and Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks, and business mentors. The incubator community helps students build connections and collaborate through various initiatives. The Pi Centre hosts training and networking events covering topics like business development, marketing, team building, and fundraising. Mentorship is a key component, with consultants and mentors providing guidance and assistance in making connections. CUHK also promotes an interdisciplinary entrepreneurial culture through programs like the Minor Programme in Entrepreneurship and Innovation (EPIN), which includes experiential learning and networking opportunities with entrepreneurs and innovators. Student-led activities, such as orientation camps, also contribute to forming lasting friendships and collaborations that can extend to entrepreneurial ventures.

While local incubators at Chinese University of Hong Kong 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. 

CUHK supports entrepreneurship through various programs, including the Pre-Incubation Centre (PI Centre) and funding schemes like the Technology Start-up Support Scheme for Universities (TSSSU). These initiatives aim to help students and academics commercialize their ideas. CUHK has also introduced a Minor Programme in Entrepreneurship and Innovation (EPIN) to foster an entrepreneurial mindset. While specific details on the in-person, remote, or hybrid nature of all incubator programs are not explicitly stated, CUHK has adopted a hybrid mode for many courses, allowing students to attend in person or online. Events like CUHK Innovation Day have also been presented in a hybrid format. This hybrid approach likely enhances accessibility and student participation by offering flexibility.

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

CUHK's local incubators, such as the PI Centre, offer educational support to help students develop entrepreneurial skills. They provide professional training and workshops covering essential business skills like marketing, accounting, and legal information. CUHK also offers courses through programs like the Minor Programme in Entrepreneurship and Innovation (EPIN), which includes subjects such as Business Models of Startups and Entrepreneurship Practicum. These programs emphasize experiential learning, encouraging students to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings through internships and projects. The CUHK Business School also has an entrepreneurship track with courses like "Applied Entrepreneurship – Remodelling and Fundraising in Asia," which involves working with real ventures and pitching to investors.

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 Chinese University of Hong Kong'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 Chinese University of Hong Kong 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