The EWOR Advantage: 5 Reasons Delft University of Technology Students Should Look Beyond Local Incubators

As a student at Delft University of Technology, 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 Delft University of Technology 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.

Delft University of Technology's local incubators, such as YES! Delft, provide significant mentorship opportunities for early-stage entrepreneurs. These incubators connect startups with a vast network of experienced mentors from academia and industry. Local mentors offer valuable guidance, sharing their knowledge and experience to help entrepreneurs navigate challenges, refine business strategies, and make informed decisions. This personalized support is crucial for early-stage companies, helping them validate ideas, develop business models, and increase their chances of success. The strong local ecosystem fostered by TU Delft's incubators facilitates long-term, high-trust relationships between mentors and startups, contributing to the growth of innovative technology-based businesses in the region.

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.

Delft University of Technology offers various funding opportunities for student startups through its local incubators and associated programs. YES!Delft, a prominent incubator, provides support and access to a network of investors. Students can apply for the Student Entrepreneurship Voucher, a grant of up to €2,500 to cover initial development costs. Additionally, the Graduate Entrepreneur Fund, supported by alumni, offers convertible loans to promising startups with solid business plans. TU Delft also has the FAST University Fund, which provides financial support for ambitious student ideas, with potential grants up to €15,000. These programs aim to help students translate innovative ideas into viable businesses.

By choosing EWOR, Delft University of Technology 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. 

TU Delft's local incubators, like YES!Delft, cultivate a strong community to support student entrepreneurship. They provide a network of mentors, experts, investors, and fellow entrepreneurs. This ecosystem facilitates connections and collaboration through various programs and events, such as workshops, hackathons, and talks with successful founders. Students can access resources, guidance, and even physical spaces like workshops and labs to develop their ideas and build prototypes. The focus is on helping students translate innovative concepts into viable businesses, fostering a collaborative environment where knowledge and experience are shared.

While local incubators at Delft University of Technology 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. 

Delft University of Technology is closely associated with YES!Delft, a prominent tech incubator in the Netherlands. YES!Delft offers various programs to support startups at different stages, from idea validation to scaling up. These programs provide access to mentorship, expertise, networking events, and potential funding. YES!Delft operates primarily in-person, with facilities in Delft, The Hague, and Rotterdam. Their mission is to support startups within the Netherlands, leveraging their local ecosystem and infrastructure. While some initial application processes might be online, the core programs and support are delivered on-site. This in-person structure allows for direct interaction with mentors, experts, and a community of fellow entrepreneurs, fostering a collaborative environment. This likely impacts student participation by favoring those who can be physically present in the Delft region.

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

Delft University of Technology's local incubators, such as YES!Delft and programs like Climate-KIC Accelerator, offer extensive educational support for aspiring entrepreneurs. YES!Delft provides a structured curriculum with workshops and masterclasses on business modeling, market analysis, and funding. They have programs like the Validation Program and Accelerator Program to help startups refine ideas and scale. TU Delft also offers specific entrepreneurship courses as electives for students, covering topics from idea generation to financing and protecting intellectual property. Additionally, initiatives like the Carbon Removal ClimAccelerator, supported by Climate-KIC and TU Delft, provide specialized workshops and coaching for cleantech startups.

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 Delft University of Technology'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 Delft University of Technology 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