The EWOR Advantage: 5 Reasons Johns Hopkins University Students Should Look Beyond Local Incubators

As a student at Johns Hopkins University, 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 Johns Hopkins University 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.

Johns Hopkins University's local incubators, such as FastForward U and the Social Innovation Lab, offer valuable mentorship opportunities for early-stage entrepreneurs. These programs connect student and affiliated ventures with experienced mentors, including successful entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts. Local mentors provide crucial support by offering business-focused guidance, sharing industry insights, and helping navigate the challenges of launching a startup. They contribute to a collaborative environment, helping entrepreneurs refine their ideas, develop strategies, and access valuable networks within the Baltimore ecosystem. This local connection is vital for understanding the specific market and community needs.

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.

Johns Hopkins University offers various funding opportunities for student startups through its local incubators and programs, primarily managed by the Pava Marie LaPere Center for Entrepreneurship. Student entrepreneurs and recent alumni can apply for non-dilutive grants and prize funding ranging from $100 to $100,000. These include programs like the Ignite Fund, which provides funding for specific tasks to help ventures progress, and the President's Venture Fellowship, offering significant funding and a partial scholarship to the Carey Business School. Additionally, the university has a student-run venture capital fund, A-Level Capital, which focuses on early-stage investments in student-led startups. Pitch events and challenges, such as the Student Startup Challenge, also provide opportunities for seed funding and mentorship.

By choosing EWOR, Johns Hopkins University 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. 

Johns Hopkins University's local incubators, such as the Pava Marie LaPere Center for Entrepreneurship (formerly FastForward U), cultivate a strong network and community to support student ventures. This is achieved through various initiatives like workshops, networking events, and mentorship programs. The incubators provide collaborative workspaces and resources, enabling students to connect with peers, faculty, alumni, and the wider Baltimore entrepreneurial ecosystem. Programs like accelerators and pitch competitions further facilitate connections and collaboration, helping students develop ideas, find co-founders, and gain valuable feedback and support. This environment empowers students to build impactful startups and drive change.

While local incubators at Johns Hopkins University 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. 

Johns Hopkins University offers various resources for entrepreneurs, including incubators and accelerators. FastForward U, the student hub, provides physical space with labs, offices, and co-working areas. They also offer a summer incubator where students can live and work on campus. While specific details on the format of all local incubators aren't explicitly stated as in-person, remote, or hybrid, the existence of physical spaces and on-campus programs suggests a significant in-person component. Johns Hopkins also utilizes hybrid models for other programs, combining online and in-person elements, and provides resources for remote access to university systems. The availability of both physical spaces and remote access options likely impacts student participation by offering flexibility while still providing opportunities for in-person collaboration and access to specialized facilities.

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

Johns Hopkins University's FastForward U is a central hub for student entrepreneurship, offering various educational support programs. These include accelerator programs like "Spark" for early-stage ideas and "Fuel" for more developed ventures, both featuring weekly workshops and mentorship. FastForward U also provides access to a maker space with equipment for prototyping and offers workshops on using the tools. Additionally, they host webinars with experts on launching and scaling startups. The Carey Business School also offers experiential learning courses, including one where students apply communication theory to real-world businesses. The university also supports entrepreneurship through courses like "Introduction to Entrepreneurship in Education" and provides resources for business plan competitions and boot camps.

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 Johns Hopkins University'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 Johns Hopkins University 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