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

As a student at Macquarie 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 Macquarie 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.

Macquarie University's Incubator provides valuable mentorship opportunities for early-stage entrepreneurs. The Incubator connects startups with a network of over 80 mentors and trainers from various fields. These local mentors offer expertise in areas such as marketing, law, tax, accounting, pitching, presenting, and negotiation. They provide guidance on crucial business fundamentals like cashflow forecasting and help startups navigate government grants and tax incentives. The mentors contribute to a supportive community, offering real-world feedback and helping founders validate ideas, structure businesses, attract funding, and develop robust strategies. This local network is vital for early-stage entrepreneurs as they navigate the challenging initial phases of their ventures.

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.

Macquarie University's Incubator provides various programs and support for student startups. The Incubator offers programs like the START Program, designed to help students validate business ideas and develop essential skills. Notably, the Incubator provides seed funding opportunities, including $20,000 in seed funding across remaining 2025 START program cohorts to support student entrepreneurs. While some funding and support are also available for research-based ideas and HDR candidates through programs like the Macquarie University Postgraduate Research Fund (PGRF), the Incubator's programs are a key resource for students looking to launch and scale their ventures. The Incubator also connects students with mentors and investors, fostering a supportive community for innovation and entrepreneurship.

By choosing EWOR, Macquarie 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. 

Macquarie University's local incubators cultivate a strong community for students, fostering connections and collaboration. The incubators serve as a central hub where students can interact with researchers, staff, entrepreneurs, and industry professionals. This diverse environment encourages the sharing of ideas and experiences. Through programs and events like Demo Days and Student Startup Bootcamps, students gain opportunities to meet like-minded individuals, potential mentors, and investors. The physical space of the incubator is designed to encourage interaction and "accidental" meeting points, facilitating fluid collaboration. This supportive ecosystem helps students develop essential skills like problem-solving and communication, crucial for any career path.

While local incubators at Macquarie 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. 

Macquarie University's Incubator is designed as a physical space with flexible layouts to support startups, researchers, and entrepreneurs. It features two pavilions for public events and private workspaces, promoting collaboration through "accidental" meeting points. The structure is prefabricated and relocatable, allowing for future adaptation. While the Incubator has a physical location, some programs and events are offered in a hybrid format, with options for in-person and online participation via platforms like Zoom. This hybrid approach enhances accessibility for students, allowing those who may face constraints like distance or scheduling conflicts to still engage with the Incubator's resources and community. This flexibility can positively impact student participation by removing potential barriers to entry.

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

Macquarie University Incubator offers significant educational support for aspiring entrepreneurs through programs like the flagship Educate Program. This 12-week program helps founders develop scalable businesses, covering crucial areas like validating ideas, marketing, structuring, and securing funding. They provide over 200 hours of annual education and access to a network of over 80 mentors and trainers. The Incubator also offers student-specific programs focused on skills development and early-stage idea translation, including workshops on creative thinking, pitching, and design thinking. These programs are open to students, researchers, and the wider community, fostering a diverse environment.

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 Macquarie 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 Macquarie 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