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

As a student at Leiden 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 Leiden 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.

Leiden University's local incubators, such as PLNT Leiden and the programs at Leiden Bio Science Park like Unlock, offer valuable mentorship opportunities for early-stage entrepreneurs. These programs connect startups with experienced professionals, industry experts, and successful entrepreneurs from the local ecosystem. Local mentors provide tailored advice, coaching, and guidance, helping founders navigate challenges, refine business models, and develop validation strategies. They offer insights into specific sectors, provide networking opportunities, and share their knowledge and resources, which is crucial for early-stage ventures. This local support network fosters collaboration and helps entrepreneurs access the expertise and connections needed to grow their businesses.

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.

Leiden University supports student entrepreneurship through various initiatives and incubators. PLNT Leiden Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, a joint initiative with other institutions, offers courses and helps startups find premises. PLNT also assists with navigating the world of investors and grants. The Enterprise Leiden Fund (ELF) provides pre-seed loans to help develop and fund early-stage business ideas with commercial and social impact, particularly for near or recent graduates. Additionally, the UNIIQ investment fund, a collaboration with other universities and a regional development company, offers funding to help scientific entrepreneurs overcome crucial phases in bringing their technology to market. Luris, the Technology Transfer Office, also supports academic and student entrepreneurship by advising on funding instruments like ELF and UNIIQ. While not exclusively for student startups, the Leiden University Global Fund (LUGF) offers seed funding for projects with international partners that can include innovative educational projects and research activities.

By choosing EWOR, Leiden 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. 

Leiden University's local incubators, such as PLNT Leiden and Unlock, cultivate a strong community to support student entrepreneurs. PLNT serves as a central hub where students, entrepreneurs, and investors connect, fostering a collaborative environment for innovation and business development. Unlock specifically focuses on Life Science & Health startups, providing tailored programs, mentorship, and access to a relevant network within the Leiden Bio Science Park. These incubators facilitate connections through various means, including workshops, one-on-one mentoring, and networking events. Students gain access to academic and business experts, potential investors, and fellow startup founders, creating a valuable support system. The emphasis is on shared knowledge and resources, helping students navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship and build essential networks for their ventures. Collaborations, such as the partnership with TU Delft and Erasmus Rotterdam through the Centre for Education and Learning (LDE CEL), further expand the network and opportunities for student startups.

While local incubators at Leiden 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. 

Leiden University is involved in various initiatives that support entrepreneurship and innovation, including incubator programs. The Leiden Bio Science Park is a significant biomedical incubator in the Netherlands, hosting numerous companies and institutions. These incubators typically offer resources such as physical workspace, mentorship, networking, and access to funding. While specific details on the format of all Leiden University's local incubators aren't explicitly stated as solely in-person, remote, or hybrid, the university has adopted hybrid models for teaching and working in other areas. This suggests a potential for hybrid or virtual components in their incubator programs, which could enhance accessibility for students who may face constraints with in-person participation. Programs like the Una Europa Student Project Incubator offer international opportunities, indicating a structure that can accommodate participants from different locations. The move towards hybrid and virtual-friendly models in various university functions reflects a broader trend that could positively impact student involvement in incubator activities.

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

Leiden University's local incubators, such as PLNT Leiden and PLNT The Hague, offer various educational support to foster entrepreneurial skills. They provide workshops like "Workshop Entrepreneurship: Turning Ideas into Action" to help students develop innovative thinking and create actionable business plans. Students can also benefit from programs like the Honours Course, a deep-dive entrepreneurial program in collaboration with Leiden University, designed to help turn ideas into real businesses. Additionally, the university's Knowledge Exchange Office, Luris, located at PLNT, shares practical knowledge and connects students with a network of entrepreneurs and professionals. For those interested in biomedical innovation, the Institute for Biomedical Entrepreneurship (IBE) offers a certificate program with coursework, individual sessions, and project development support. The Leiden-Delft-Erasmus collaboration also offers minors, including "Sustainable Business Model and Entrepreneurship," which provide practical skills and experience.

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 Leiden 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 Leiden 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