The EWOR Advantage: 5 Reasons KTH Royal Institute of Technology Students Should Look Beyond Local Incubators

As a student at KTH Royal Institute of Technology, 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 KTH Royal Institute of Technology 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.

KTH Royal Institute of Technology's innovation support system, KTH Innovation, offers a mentor network to help early-stage entrepreneurs. This network comprises experienced individuals from industry and startups who provide pro-bono expertise, networks, and advice. Mentors are matched with startups in programs like the KTH Innovation pre-incubator program, KTH Innovation Launch. They offer guidance on various aspects of innovation development, including entrepreneurial journeys, industry backgrounds, technology development, and funding. This local mentorship is valuable for commercializing ideas and research results, helping startups navigate challenges and accelerate their development.

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.

KTH Royal Institute of Technology offers significant funding opportunities for student startups, primarily through KTH Innovation. KTH Innovation provides free and confidential support, including business development coaching and access to funding. They manage the Vinnova funding program VFT-1 for early-stage funding, where teams can apply for up to 300,000 SEK to validate their ideas. KTH Innovation also has an investor network, EarlyBird, connecting projects with potential investors. Additionally, KTH Holding invests in promising early-stage startups from KTH. KTH also participates in the Unite! seed fund, supporting collaborative projects with international partners from the Unite! alliance.

By choosing EWOR, KTH Royal Institute of Technology 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. 

KTH Royal Institute of Technology fosters a strong community within its innovation ecosystem, particularly through KTH Innovation and the student incubator, Student Inc.. This environment supports students, researchers, and employees in developing ideas and creating impact. KTH Innovation helps over 400 teams annually, with a significant portion being student-led. The incubators and support systems connect students with mentors, investors, and industry experts, facilitating collaboration and providing access to valuable networks. Programs like Ideate also encourage interdisciplinary teamwork among students from different universities. This collaborative ecosystem, including academia, incubators, and industry, is a key factor in the success of KTH-affiliated startups.

While local incubators at KTH Royal Institute of Technology 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. 

KTH Royal Institute of Technology supports student entrepreneurship through initiatives like KTH Innovation and collaborations such as the Ideate program with SSE Business Lab. KTH Innovation offers various support, including business development, financing, and mentorship. The KTH Innovation pre-incubator program provides promising startups with a year of support, office space, workshops, and networking opportunities. While some programs, like the Ideate program, are explicitly in-person, KTH Innovation also supports a large number of teams in its open program, suggesting a flexible approach. The move towards hybrid models in incubators has been noted, offering flexibility and potentially attracting students located further away. This hybrid approach can increase accessibility and participation for students who may face geographical or time constraints with purely in-person programs. KTH also emphasizes digital accessibility in its services.

EWOR’s fully remote programmes are built for modern entrepreneurs – offering the flexibility to participate from anywhere, on your terms. KTH Royal Institute of Technology 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.

KTH Royal Institute of Technology's local incubators, such as KTH Innovation, offer various educational support to foster entrepreneurial skills. This includes workshops and programs designed to help students and researchers develop ideas and create impact. KTH Innovation provides support in areas like business development, financing, and intellectual property management. They offer workshops on topics such as "Intro to Innovation," "Impact from Research," and "Take Control of Your Immaterial Rights." KTH also collaborates with the Stockholm School of Entrepreneurship (SSES) to offer courses and programs in entrepreneurship, covering ideation, business models, and launching a company. Programs like "Ideate" help students from different universities form teams and develop ideas to address global challenges. Additionally, specialized workshops like the B-BRIGHTER BioInnovation Entrepreneurship Workshop focus on guiding researchers in commercializing their innovations.

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 KTH Royal Institute of Technology'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 KTH Royal Institute of Technology 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