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

As a student at City 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 City 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.

City University of Hong Kong's HK Tech 300 program provides extensive mentorship opportunities for early-stage entrepreneurs through its network of experienced local industrialists and successful entrepreneurs. With over 250 mentors from diverse industries, startups receive guidance and coaching to navigate real-life business challenges. These mentors offer valuable insights, leveraging their experience within the Hong Kong ecosystem. Some mentors even invest in or join the management teams of the startups they advise, providing crucial hands-on support and potential further funding. This local expertise is vital for early-stage companies looking to establish and grow their presence in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area.

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.

City University of Hong Kong (CityU) offers significant funding opportunities for student startups through its HK Tech 300 program. This large-scale initiative provides comprehensive support, including seed funding and potential angel investment. Eligible student teams can apply for a HK$100,000 seed fund to develop their innovative ideas. Following the seeding phase, successful teams may be recommended to compete for an angel fund of up to HK$1 million. Beyond HK Tech 300, CityU startups can also access funding through schemes like the Technology Start-up Support Scheme for Universities (TSSSU), which provides annual funding of up to HK$1.2 million. These programs aim to translate CityU's research and intellectual property into practical applications and foster a thriving innovation ecosystem.

By choosing EWOR, City 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. 

City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) fosters a strong innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem through programs like HK Tech 300. This flagship initiative aims to nurture young entrepreneurs and incubate deep-tech startups. The program provides comprehensive support, including training, mentorship from experienced industrialists and entrepreneurs, and seed funding. CityUHK's incubators connect students with a network of partners, including chambers of commerce, incubators, accelerators, venture capitalists, and industry associations. These collaborations offer startups various services and business opportunities. The university also actively seeks global partnerships to promote academic, research, and innovation collaboration, providing students with international exposure and networking chances. This interconnected community helps students build connections and facilitates collaboration within the entrepreneurial landscape.

While local incubators at City 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. 

City University of Hong Kong (CityU) offers local incubators primarily through its HK Tech 300 program. This initiative provides training, seed funding, angel investment, co-working space, and business networks to students, alumni, and staff. While specific details on the format (in-person, remote, or hybrid) for all incubator activities aren't explicitly stated, the provision of co-working space suggests an in-person component. The accessibility of these programs is aimed at fostering entrepreneurship within the CityU community and beyond, with collaborations extending to other universities and external partners like Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP). The hybrid model, if implemented, could enhance student participation by offering flexibility for those with other commitments or those not always on campus. Some postgraduate programs at Hong Kong universities, including CityU, incorporate hybrid elements like online lectures and remote supervision, indicating a potential for similar approaches in incubation programs. This blend of in-person and remote resources could broaden access and support a diverse range of student needs and locations.

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

City University of Hong Kong (CityU) offers robust educational support for aspiring entrepreneurs through its local incubators and programs like HK Tech 300. This initiative provides comprehensive support, including entrepreneurship education and training. Students can access workshops, courses, and learning modules designed to develop entrepreneurial skills. These include training on starting a business, developing a business plan, and pitching ideas. CityU also offers online courses on the foundation of innovation and entrepreneurship. The HK Tech 300 program, in particular, includes an eight-week training program.

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 City 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 City 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