The EWOR Advantage: 5 Reasons Imperial College London Students Should Look Beyond Local Incubators

As a student at Imperial College London, 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 Imperial College London 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.

Imperial College London's local incubators and entrepreneurship programs, such as the White City Incubator, Imperial Enterprise Lab, and Imperial Venture Mentoring (IVM), offer valuable mentorship opportunities for early-stage entrepreneurs. These initiatives connect founders with experienced mentors, often successful entrepreneurs and investors from various backgrounds. Local mentors provide crucial support by offering expert advice, sharing practical experience, and facilitating access to their professional networks. This guidance helps entrepreneurs navigate the challenges of launching a business, refine their ideas, and develop essential skills. The proximity and local knowledge of these mentors contribute significantly to building a supportive ecosystem for nascent ventures within the London innovation district.

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.

Imperial College London offers various funding opportunities for student startups through its enterprise ecosystem, including local incubators and programmes. The Enterprise Lab provides grant funding and runs competitions like the Venture Catalyst Challenge, which offers significant prize money to help student and alumni teams develop their businesses. Additionally, the Imperial College Enterprise Funds (ICEF) make seed investments in early-stage companies closely connected to the university, including those founded by students. Programmes like the Summer Accelerator also offer grants and support to help startups become investment-ready. This comprehensive support system aims to nurture innovative ventures from idea to investment.

By choosing EWOR, Imperial College London 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. 

Imperial College London's local incubators, such as the Imperial Enterprise Lab and the White City Incubator, cultivate a strong community to foster student connections and collaboration. The Enterprise Lab hosts monthly "Community Collider" events specifically designed for entrepreneurs from all disciplines to meet, network, and find collaborators in a relaxed setting. The White City Incubator, focused on deep science startups, provides a community environment with networking events, seminars, and opportunities for companies to mentor newer ventures. These hubs bring together students, staff, alumni, and industry partners, creating an ecosystem where ideas are shared, teams are formed, and ventures are supported through various programs and informal interactions.

While local incubators at Imperial College London 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. 

Imperial College London offers various entrepreneurship programs and support, including the Imperial White City Incubator and the Enterprise Lab. The White City Incubator provides physical lab and office space for early-stage science and technology companies. The Enterprise Lab offers a range of programs, events, and workspaces, including the Venture Catalyst Challenge and the Summer Accelerator. While some programs like the Summer Accelerator and the Commonwealth Startup Fellowship incorporate in-person elements, requiring physical attendance for parts of the program, others may offer virtual sessions or support. This hybrid approach, combining in-person facilities and potentially remote access for certain components or team members, can enhance accessibility for students who may have other commitments or face geographical constraints, though the requirement for in-person attendance in some programs impacts participation for those unable to be physically present.

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

Imperial College London's entrepreneurial ecosystem, including the Enterprise Lab and White City Incubator, offers extensive educational support. The Enterprise Lab provides various programmes, events, workshops, and masterclasses designed to develop entrepreneurial skills from idea generation to launching a venture. These include the Venture Catalyst Challenge, WE Innovate for female entrepreneurs, and the Summer Accelerator which features mentorship, business coaching, and workshops. Students and alumni can access idea surgeries, experts-in-residence, and a venture mentoring service. The White City Incubator also provides expert business coaching and mentoring for deep science 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 Imperial College London'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 Imperial College London 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