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

As a student at EPFL, 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 EPFL 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.

EPFL's local incubators, such as La Forge at EPFL Innovation Park, offer valuable mentorship opportunities for early-stage entrepreneurs. These incubators provide access to a network of experienced mentors with extensive professional backgrounds in business and technology. Local mentors offer on-the-spot expertise, helping startups refine business models, navigate challenges like IP and financing, and develop essential skills through workshops and expert advice sessions. This local support is crucial for stress-testing business plans, identifying funding sources, and building effective teams, ultimately helping startups quickly develop viable projects and integrate into the local innovation ecosystem.

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.

EPFL offers various funding opportunities for student startups through its local incubators and programs. These include pre-seed funding schemes like Ignition Grants, providing CHF 30,000 for early-stage project validation, and Innogrants, offering CHF 100,000 to support the future entrepreneur's salary for a year while developing their spin-off within an EPFL lab. Additionally, the EPFL X-Grant program specifically encourages and supports the entrepreneurial drive of Bachelor and Master students. Students can also access support through programs like the Blaze Startup Accelerator and the opportunity to develop their Master Thesis into a startup project. Further funding and support can be found through partnerships with organizations like Innosuisse and the Foundation for Innovation and Technology (FIT).

By choosing EWOR, EPFL 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. 

EPFL's local incubators, such as La Forge and those within the EPFL Innovation Park, cultivate a strong community to support students and entrepreneurs. They provide a collaborative environment with co-working spaces and networking opportunities. Students can connect with like-minded individuals, experienced entrepreneurs, mentors, and potential investors through workshops, events, and dedicated programs like the Startup Launchpad. This network facilitates the sharing of knowledge, refinement of business models, and access to expert advice on various aspects of launching a startup, fostering connections and collaboration within the EPFL ecosystem.

While local incubators at EPFL 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. 

EPFL's local incubators, like La Forge, Trust Village, and Le Garage, are primarily structured around physical co-working spaces and offices within the EPFL Innovation Park and nearby locations. These provide a physical environment for startups to work, network, and access resources. While the core of these programs is in-person, involving access to physical spaces, workshops, and mentoring, some elements might incorporate hybrid or remote aspects, such as online resources or events. The in-person nature fosters a strong community and facilitates direct interaction with mentors, experts, and investors, which is crucial for early-stage companies. This structure generally benefits students who can be physically present, allowing for deeper engagement and utilization of the provided facilities and networking opportunities. However, it might pose a challenge for students who are not able to be on campus regularly, potentially limiting their full participation.

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

EPFL's local incubators, such as La Forge at EPFL Innovation Park, offer various educational support for aspiring student entrepreneurs. This includes monthly workshops and presentations by experienced entrepreneurs to enhance skills and networking. They also provide regular progress reviews and expert advice on topics like IP and financing. EPFL also offers programs like "Changemakers," a 12-week program to boost innovation and entrepreneurial skills, and the "Blaze Startup Accelerator Program." Additionally, the "Business Concept" course is a semester-long program with evening sessions and coaching to help students develop business plans and pitching skills. Students can even turn their Master's thesis into a startup project with support.

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 EPFL'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 EPFL 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