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

As a student at Cornell 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 Cornell 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.

Cornell University's local incubators, such as Rev: Ithaca Startup Works and those associated with the Southern Tier Startup Alliance, offer valuable mentorship opportunities for early-stage entrepreneurs. These incubators provide access to experienced local mentors, including entrepreneurs-in-residence, who offer one-on-one guidance. This mentorship is crucial for navigating challenges, validating business plans, and developing essential skills like customer discovery and pitching. Local mentors provide insights into the regional ecosystem and connect startups with relevant resources, strategic partners, and potential investors, accelerating their growth and increasing their chances of success.

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.

Cornell University offers various funding opportunities for student startups through its entrepreneurial ecosystem. Programs like eLab, Cornell's student startup accelerator, provide selected teams with a $5,000 investment and funding for continued customer discovery. Big Red Ventures (BRV), a student-run venture fund, invests in seed- and early-stage companies, typically ranging from $25K to $250K. Additionally, the annual Cornell Tech Startup Awards provides winning student companies with significant investments, including pre-seed funding and co-working space. Cornell also supports participation in competitions like the New York Business Plan Competition, where students can win investment funds. Beyond direct investment, programs like the NSF I-Corps offer funding for customer discovery and entrepreneurial training.

By choosing EWOR, Cornell 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. 

Cornell University's local incubators, such as eHub and Rev: Ithaca Startup Works, foster a strong entrepreneurial community. These spaces and programs connect students with mentors, experienced entrepreneurs, and like-minded peers. Through workshops, events, and co-working spaces, students can build valuable connections, collaborate on ventures, and gain practical experience. Accelerators like eLab provide intense programming and resources to help student businesses launch and grow. This network extends beyond campus, linking students to the broader Ithaca and Southern Tier entrepreneurial ecosystem, including potential investors and regional resources. The emphasis is on providing a supportive environment where students can develop their ideas and turn them into successful businesses.

While local incubators at Cornell 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. 

Cornell University offers several local incubators, including the Center for Life Science Ventures, the Praxis Center for Venture Development, and Rev: Ithaca Startup Works. These incubators provide resources like mentorship, workspace, and access to funding for startups. While specific details on modality for all programs are not explicitly stated, some programs like the Entrepreneurship at Cornell (EaC) internships can be in-person, hybrid, or fully remote, depending on the company. This flexibility in work location can significantly impact student participation, potentially making programs more accessible to students who may not be able to be on campus full-time or who are located elsewhere. The eLab student accelerator is a key program for student startups.

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

Cornell University's local incubators provide comprehensive educational support to foster entrepreneurial skills. Programs like eLab, a student accelerator, offer programming focused on customer discovery, pitching, and business model development. The IN I-Corps Hub, part of a National Science Foundation network, provides training in entrepreneurial skills and customer discovery interviews. Rev: Ithaca Startup Works, a collaboration with Cornell, Ithaca College, and Tompkins Cortland Community College, offers business mentorship and resources. The Dairy Runway program includes a virtual entrepreneurship course covering the business model canvas and customer discovery process. These initiatives, along with others like the Center for Life Science Ventures and the Center for Transformative Action, offer workshops, courses, and mentorship to help students develop their ventures and entrepreneurial mindset.

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 Cornell 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 Cornell 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