The EWOR Advantage: 5 Reasons King Abdulaziz University Students Should Look Beyond Local Incubators

As a student at King Abdulaziz 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 King Abdulaziz 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.

King Abdulaziz University (KAU) supports early-stage entrepreneurs through its local incubators, such as the KAU Accelerator which focuses on the ICT sector. These incubators provide valuable mentorship opportunities. Local mentors, often experienced entrepreneurs, industry experts, and academics, offer guidance tailored to the Saudi market and its unique challenges and opportunities. This local expertise helps startups navigate the complexities of establishing and growing a business in the region. Mentors assist with various aspects, including business plan development, market research, financial planning, and legal considerations. This support is crucial for transforming innovative ideas into viable projects and increasing their chances of success. The incubators also facilitate connections with potential investors and partners within the local ecosystem.

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.

King Abdulaziz University (KAU) supports student entrepreneurship through its local incubators and programs. The KAU Accelerator offers a one-year program providing knowledge and tools for students and graduates to launch innovative small businesses. While specific details on seed funding amounts for student startups within KAU's direct incubators are not readily available, the university's investment arm, Wadi Jeddah, focuses on innovation and entrepreneurship, including providing funding and investment opportunities. Additionally, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), a separate institution but also in Saudi Arabia, has a prominent accelerator, TAQADAM, which provides grant funding and potential seed funding for promising startups, open to students from Saudi universities. This indicates a broader ecosystem of support for student ventures in the Kingdom.

By choosing EWOR, King Abdulaziz 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. 

King Abdulaziz University (KAU) fosters a network and community within its local incubators to support student entrepreneurship. This is achieved through various initiatives and collaborations, such as the work of Wadi Jeddah Company and the Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship. These entities aim to activate business incubators and accelerators, providing a cohesive work environment for startups. The incubator community helps students build connections and collaborate by offering training, guidance, and mentorship from experts and specialists in various fields of entrepreneurship. Programs like the Entrepreneurship Clubs Activation Program increase entrepreneurial awareness and develop student capabilities through workshops, meetings with prominent entrepreneurs, competitions, and training camps. Students with startups receive educational and developmental programs to help transform their ideas into successful projects. This network also facilitates access to opportunities and capabilities within the university and through partnerships with external entities.

While local incubators at King Abdulaziz 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. 

King Abdulaziz University (KAU) supports entrepreneurship through various initiatives, including incubators. While specific details on KAU's *local* incubators are limited in the search results, information on broader programs like TAQADAM, a KAUST-led accelerator in partnership with SAB, provides insight into the structure and accessibility of such programs in Saudi Arabia. These programs typically offer mentorship, workshops, funding, and networking opportunities. Regarding accessibility, programs like TAQADAM operate on a hybrid model, combining virtual and in-person activities. This hybrid approach can positively impact student participation by offering flexibility through online components while still providing valuable in-person interaction and networking opportunities. KAU also offers online and distance learning options for some postgraduate programs, indicating a general move towards more flexible learning methods.

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

King Abdulaziz University (KAU) local incubators provide a supportive environment to help students and graduates launch innovative small businesses. They offer critical knowledge and tools for developing entrepreneurial skills. This support includes educational, guidance, and development programs led by specialists and experts. While specific course names and detailed workshop schedules are not extensively listed, the incubators are known to provide programs and workshops that cover financial, accounting, legal, and technical aspects crucial for entrepreneurs. These initiatives aim to increase entrepreneurial awareness, develop capabilities, and help transform ideas into successful projects. KAU also integrates entrepreneurship into its academic offerings, with courses like "New Ventures and Product Innovation" available to students.

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 King Abdulaziz 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 King Abdulaziz 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