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

As a student at IIT Bombay, 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 IIT Bombay 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.

IIT Bombay's local incubators, such as the Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SINE) and the Desai Sethi School of Entrepreneurship (DSSE), offer valuable mentorship to early-stage entrepreneurs. This mentorship leverages the expertise of IIT Bombay's extensive network, including experienced faculty, successful alumni, and industry veterans. Local mentors provide crucial guidance on various aspects of building a startup, from refining business plans and product development to market strategy and fundraising. This localized support, combined with structured programs and access to the IIT Bombay ecosystem, helps early-stage ventures navigate challenges 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.

IIT Bombay's primary incubator, the Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SINE), offers various funding opportunities for student startups. SINE provides seed funding and facilitates access to government grants and other funding sources. They also have a SIDBI Seed Fund specifically for incubated startups. Additionally, IIT Bombay's Institution of Eminence (IoE) initiative, in line with the National Innovation and Start-up Policy, provides seed funding for incubation and startup activities through SINE, with support up to INR 50 lakhs for ventures by IIT Bombay students or alumni incubated at SINE. Innovation Grants of INR 6-9 lakhs are available for idea/POC stage innovators. SINE is also planning to launch a Rs 100 crore venture capital fund to support deep tech startups. The Desai Sethi School for Entrepreneurship (DSSE) also offers pre-incubation programs like IDEAS, which provide mini-grants for product development. The Entrepreneurship Cell (E-Cell) at IIT Bombay also helps connect startups with funding opportunities.

By choosing EWOR, IIT Bombay 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. 

IIT Bombay's local incubators, like SINE, cultivate a strong network and community to support student entrepreneurship. They provide a platform for students, faculty, and alumni to connect and collaborate on turning ideas into ventures. This ecosystem leverages IIT Bombay's resources, including faculty expertise, labs, and a vast alumni network, for mentorship and guidance. Programs like IDEAS specifically connect students with experienced alumni mentors. The incubators facilitate connections with industry experts and investors, crucial for funding and potential partnerships. This environment fosters a dynamic entrepreneurial culture, enabling students to build connections, receive feedback from peers and mentors, and access the support needed to develop and launch their startups.

While local incubators at IIT Bombay 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. 

IIT Bombay's primary incubator, Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SINE), supports technology startups founded by the IIT Bombay community or based on IIT Bombay technologies. SINE offers both physical and virtual incubation. Physical resources like office space and equipment are available, while virtual support provides access to services and mentorship. IIT Bombay also has pre-incubation programs like IDEAS, which uses a structured, multi-level approach with bootcamps, workshops, and mentorship. These programs often utilize a hybrid mode, incorporating both in-person and online elements, which can enhance student participation by offering flexibility. This hybrid approach allows for wider engagement, transcending geographical boundaries.

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

IIT Bombay's local incubators, such as the Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SINE) and the Desai Sethi School of Entrepreneurship (DSSE), offer comprehensive educational support to foster entrepreneurial skills. DSSE provides academic programs including a PhD in Innovation & Entrepreneurship and elective courses for students at all levels. They offer around 20 courses covering foundational learning, specialized topics, and a capstone course for startup registration. Online MOOC courses are also available to a wider audience. Complementing the coursework, DSSE runs pre-incubation programs like IDEAS and the Women in Entrepreneurship Program (WIE), offering experiential learning, mentoring, workshops, and bootcamps on various aspects of the business lifecycle, including design thinking, legal aspects, finance, and communication. E-Cell IIT Bombay also organizes workshops and competitions like "Eureka!" to encourage entrepreneurship. Additionally, IIT Bombay offers free online courses on platforms like NPTEL covering areas like managerial accounting and economics, beneficial for aspiring entrepreneurs.

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 IIT Bombay'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 IIT Bombay 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