The EWOR Advantage: 5 Reasons Freie Universität Berlin Students Should Look Beyond Local Incubators

As a student at Freie Universität Berlin, 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 Freie Universität Berlin 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.

Freie Universität Berlin's incubators, such as those supported by Profund Innovation, offer valuable mentorship opportunities for early-stage entrepreneurs. Startups receive support from academic mentors from the university and experienced individuals from the NFUSION Entrepreneurs Network. Local mentors provide crucial guidance, leveraging their expertise and network to help founders develop business plans, refine ideas, and make essential contacts. This local connection is vital for navigating the Berlin startup ecosystem and accessing relevant resources. The mentors' experience in various fields, including specific industries and business functions, helps early-stage companies address challenges and increase 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.

Freie Universität Berlin, through its local incubators and in collaboration with the Berlin University Alliance, offers various funding opportunities for student startups. Profund Innovation is the university's service unit for knowledge and technology transfer, supporting students, scholars, scientists, and alumni from idea to market. One key program is the Berliner Startup Stipendium, which provides scholarships of up to €2,000 per month for six months (with a possibility of extension) to teams with innovative, technology-based business ideas. This is funded by the Berlin Senate and the European Social Fund. Additionally, the EXIST Business Start-up Grant, a nationwide program, supports innovative technology-oriented or knowledge-based startup projects with grants for up to 12 months, including living costs, material support, and coaching. Students can receive €1,000 per month through this program. Freie Universität Berlin is also part of the K.I.E.Z. initiative, an accelerator for AI startups.

By choosing EWOR, Freie Universität Berlin 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. 

Freie Universität Berlin's local incubators foster a strong network and community to support student entrepreneurship. Profund Innovation, the university's startup support service, plays a key role in this. They connect students with experienced entrepreneurs and experts through networks like Netzwerk Unternehmertum. Collaboration is encouraged through various initiatives. The Startup Villa provides a physical space for startups to work and interact with Profund Innovation. Freie Universität is also part of Science & Startups, a joint network with other Berlin universities, offering access to a wider ecosystem and resources. This network facilitates co-founder matchmaking and provides access to infrastructure and an investor network. Additionally, programs like the Una Europa Student Project Incubator promote interdisciplinary group work and networking with international peers.

While local incubators at Freie Universität Berlin 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. 

Freie Universität Berlin supports startups through initiatives like Profund Innovation and the Startup Villa. The Startup Villa provides space for students, graduates, and researchers to develop business ideas, offering infrastructure and support from consultants and mentors. While specific details on the format (in-person, remote, or hybrid) for all incubators are not explicitly stated, some programs like the Una Europa Student Project Incubator have included online workshops, suggesting a hybrid approach may be utilized for certain activities. The FUBIC (Freie Universität Berlin Campus Technology + Startup Center) provides physical workspace, indicating an in-person component. The accessibility of programs impacts student participation, and Freie Universität Berlin is working on improving physical accessibility across campus. The availability of online or hybrid formats can enhance accessibility for students who may face barriers to in-person participation.

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

Freie Universität Berlin supports student entrepreneurship through various initiatives. Profund Innovation, the university's service unit for knowledge and technology transfer, assists students, researchers, and alumni from the initial idea to implementation. The Startup Villa provides space for developing business ideas. Educational support includes seminars at the School of Business and Economics covering startup basics, as well as workshops and competitions. The university also participates in the Berlin University Alliance, which offers programs, competitions, and scholarships to help students develop business plans and prototypes. Courses like "Entrepreneurial Leadership in Berlin and Europe" and "Entrepreneurship with Purpose" are available, focusing on leadership skills, business modeling, and aligning ventures with social or ecological goals. The university is also part of the EXIST Entrepreneur University program, which provides funding and support for technology-oriented and knowledge-based 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 Freie Universität Berlin'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 Freie Universität Berlin 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