The EWOR Advantage: 5 Reasons King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals Students Should Look Beyond Local Incubators

As a student at King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, 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 Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals 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 Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM) incubators, particularly through the Entrepreneurship Institute, offer robust mentorship opportunities for early-stage entrepreneurs. They leverage an extensive network of local experts and business leaders. This local focus provides invaluable, context-specific knowledge and guidance tailored to the Saudi Arabian market. Mentors offer expertise across various business functions, helping startups with everything from developing their minimum viable product (MVP) and business plans to navigating legal aspects and preparing for investor pitches. This support is crucial for early-stage ventures, providing the practical knowledge and connections needed to grow and succeed 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 Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM) offers various funding opportunities for student startups through its Entrepreneurship Institute (KFUPM-EI) and associated programs. The Entrepreneurial Emerging Leaders (EEL) Acceleration Program provides support including opportunities for startup funding. The KFUPM Center for Business Incubators, part of the Entrepreneurship Institute, offers access to the "Keys of Goodness" grant, aimed at helping teams develop prototypes to attract investors. Additionally, Dhahran Techno Valley (DTV) Ventures, connected to KFUPM, provides seed funding to early-stage deep-tech startups. KFUPM also supports proof-of-concept projects with dedicated funds.

By choosing EWOR, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals 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 Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM) fosters a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem with local incubators designed to help students build connections and collaborate. The Entrepreneurship Center provides workshops and mentorship, facilitating networking and growth. The Dream Realization Lab offers a collaborative space for students from all disciplines to develop ideas into tangible solutions through prototyping and mentorship. The incubators also connect students with an extensive network of expert mentors and provide access to legal and governmental support, further enhancing their ability to collaborate and launch ventures. Events and workshops are common, encouraging connections that can lead to partnerships and shared projects.

While local incubators at King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals 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. 

KFUPM's Entrepreneurship Institute (EI) offers local incubators and programs like the Entrepreneurial Emerging Leaders (EEL) Accelerator Program. These provide resources such as workspace, labs, mentoring, legal services, and access to programs like AWS Activate. The Business Incubator Center has physical space with cubicles, offices, meeting rooms, and labs. While the EEL program includes 6 weeks of classes and mentoring, suggesting in-person components, some programs may incorporate virtual elements. For example, a hackathon associated with the Global Student Research Conference at KFUPM has a virtual phase followed by a physical bootcamp. This hybrid approach can enhance student participation by offering flexibility while still providing valuable in-person interaction and access to facilities. The EI aims to support all KFUPM students, faculty, and entrepreneurs.

EWOR’s fully remote programmes are built for modern entrepreneurs – offering the flexibility to participate from anywhere, on your terms. King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals 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 Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM) offers robust educational support for aspiring entrepreneurs through its Entrepreneurship Institute (EI). The EI provides workshops and programs designed to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset and skills. A key offering is the Entrepreneurial Emerging Leaders Acceleration (EELA) Program, a boot camp format with modules covering areas like Act-Build-Learn, Business Structure, Entrepreneurial Marketing, Accounting, and Finance, and Business Plan development. They also offer courses like "Create Entrepreneurs," which provides hands-on experience in developing business models based on student ideas and customer feedback. The EI aims to equip students, faculty, and entrepreneurs with the necessary tools to identify business opportunities and establish 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 King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals'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 Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals 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