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

As a student at Harvard, 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 Harvard 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.

Harvard's local incubators, like the Harvard Innovation Labs (i-lab), offer robust mentorship programs for early-stage entrepreneurs. These programs pair student founders with seasoned entrepreneurs and industry experts. Local mentors provide invaluable support by offering guidance based on their practical experience and understanding of the local market and ecosystem. They help ventures with critical aspects like problem definition, market understanding, product development, and business strategy. This local connection facilitates networking and provides insights into navigating the specific challenges and opportunities within the Boston area. Mentors also offer psychological support, helping entrepreneurs navigate the emotional challenges of building a business.

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.

Harvard's innovation ecosystem, including the Harvard Innovation Labs (i-lab), Launch Lab, and Pagliuca Life Lab, offers various funding opportunities for student startups. The Allston Venture Fund provides pre-seed funding ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 to student-led ventures. Student i-lab members can apply for Spark Grants ($250-$750) to conduct demand validation experiments. The President's Innovation Challenge is an annual competition with a total of $515,000 in non-dilutive funding awarded across different tracks. Additionally, the Social Impact Fellowship Fund offers grants averaging $5,000-$20,000 for student ventures focused on social impact. While the i-lab's Venture Incubation Program doesn't directly provide funding, it offers resources and access to funding opportunities. The Launch Lab X program for alumni also provides fundraising support and connects participants with investors.

By choosing EWOR, Harvard 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. 

Harvard's local incubators, like the Harvard Innovation Labs (i-Lab), cultivate a strong network and community to foster student entrepreneurship. They serve as a central hub where students from diverse disciplines across the university can connect and collaborate on projects. This environment encourages interaction and the sharing of ideas, knowledge, and skills. The incubators provide shared workspaces, access to experienced entrepreneurs-in-residence, and a program of activities designed to deepen understanding of entrepreneurship. Students benefit from working with like-minded peers, receiving mentorship, and building relationships with industry experts and alumni. This collaborative ecosystem helps students develop teamwork skills and provides a supportive space to experiment and learn from each other.

While local incubators at Harvard 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. 

Harvard Innovation Labs (i-lab) serves as a central hub for student entrepreneurship and innovation across all Harvard schools. It offers resources like workshops, mentorship, and networking opportunities. The i-lab supports ventures at various stages, from idea generation to launching companies. While the i-lab has a physical location in Allston, MA, its programming and resources utilize a hybrid model, incorporating virtual, hybrid, and in-person modalities for events and operations. Meeting rooms within the i-lab are equipped for both in-person and remote meetings. This hybrid approach enhances accessibility, allowing wider student participation regardless of their location or schedule.

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

Harvard's local incubators, part of the Harvard Innovation Labs ecosystem, offer extensive educational support for aspiring entrepreneurs from across the university. This includes a wide range of workshops and courses designed to develop entrepreneurial skills. The i-lab, a central component, provides experiential programming and a Venture Incubation Program. Students can access resources like one-to-one advising, office hours with industry experts, and workshops covering practical subjects like venture finance, law, and accounting. Harvard Business School also offers entrepreneurship courses, some of which bring students to the i-lab for hands-on learning. The Pagliuca Harvard Life Lab specifically supports biotech and life science ventures with tailored programming and resources.

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 Harvard'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 Harvard 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