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

As a student at ETH Zurich, 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 ETH Zurich 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.

ETH Zurich's local incubators, such as RocketHub and programs like BOOST, offer valuable mentorship opportunities for early-stage entrepreneurs. These initiatives connect startups with experienced mentors, often researchers, lecturers, and industry experts, who provide guidance on various aspects of launching a venture, particularly in deep-tech contexts. Local mentors offer specialized knowledge, practical advice on commercialization strategies, and support tailored to the Swiss market and ecosystem. They help refine business models, prepare for pitching competitions, and navigate the transition from research to market. This local expertise and network are crucial for early-stage companies to build a solid foundation and accelerate their growth.

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.

ETH Zurich offers various funding opportunities for student startups through its entrepreneurial ecosystem. The ETH Pioneer Fellowship program provides grants of up to CHF 150,000 and mentorship to help researchers commercialize their work. Additionally, initiatives like the jFund, established by ETH juniors, offer seed funding in multiple rounds, starting from CHF 10,000, along with resources and networking for early-stage ventures. Students can also explore programs like Talent Kick, which provides coaching and potential seed funding of CHF 5,000. The ETH Entrepreneurship group offers guidance on finding suitable funding programs and grants. Other opportunities include the ETH4D Research to Action Grants and participation in various startup competitions.

By choosing EWOR, ETH Zurich 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. 

ETH Zurich's local incubators foster a strong community to support student entrepreneurship. Initiatives like ETH Entrepreneurship serve as a central point of contact, offering workshops, events, and networking opportunities. The planned ETH Centre for Students and Entrepreneurs aims to bring various student and entrepreneurial groups under one roof, creating a vibrant hub for exchange and collaboration. Programs like the ESA BIC Switzerland and Wyss Zurich, a joint accelerator with the University of Zurich, provide specialized support, including mentorship and access to networks of experts and investors, helping students build connections and advance their ventures. This ecosystem, including partners like the Bio-Technopark, actively promotes interaction and the sharing of ideas among students, researchers, and established companies.

While local incubators at ETH Zurich 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. 

ETH Zurich offers various programs and support for aspiring entrepreneurs, including incubators and accelerators. These initiatives provide resources like coaching, funding, access to experts, and infrastructure such as lab and office spaces. Examples include the ESA Business Incubation Centre Switzerland, Wyss Zurich, and collaborations with other incubators. While some programs like the Innosuisse Business Concept Course are explicitly held onsite at ETH Zurich, others may have hybrid components or be located near the university. The format (in-person, remote, or hybrid) can impact student participation by offering flexibility or requiring physical presence. Hybrid models, in particular, can accommodate diverse learning preferences but also present challenges in student engagement. ETH aims to support students at all stages of their entrepreneurial journey.

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

ETH Zurich's local incubators and entrepreneurial ecosystem offer various educational support programs. These include workshops, courses, and events designed to cultivate entrepreneurial skills in students and researchers. For instance, the Business Concept Course is a 12-week program that helps transform ideas into business concepts, covering entrepreneurial tools, financial planning, fundraising, and pitching. The Venture Challenge offers workshops with successful entrepreneurs, focusing on validating and executing business cases. ETH also provides workshops and courses on academic writing, which can be beneficial for developing proposals and presentations. The ETH Entrepreneur Club organizes events like workshops, pitching competitions, and networking opportunities. Additionally, initiatives like the ETH Founders Fellowship and Wyss Zurich provide specialized support and mentorship for research-based and deep-tech 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 ETH Zurich'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 ETH Zurich 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