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

As a student at McGill 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 McGill 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.

McGill University's Dobson Centre for Entrepreneurship is a central hub for entrepreneurial activity, offering various programs that include mentorship opportunities. These programs, such as the Dobson Cup and the Mentorship Circle, connect early-stage entrepreneurs with experienced business experts, including many McGill alumni and members of the Montreal business community. Local mentors provide invaluable support by sharing real-world expertise, guiding startups through challenges, and helping them develop essential skills like crafting business plans, refining go-to-market strategies, and preparing for fundraising. This local network is crucial for navigating the specific entrepreneurial ecosystem and accessing relevant connections. The mentorship helps accelerate the learning curve for startups and contributes to building sustainable 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.

McGill University offers various funding opportunities for student startups through its entrepreneurial ecosystem, primarily centered around the Dobson Centre for Entrepreneurship. The Dobson Centre provides programs like the McGill Dobson Bootcamp and Cup Competition, where startups can compete for seed funding. They also offer the McGill X-1 Accelerator, an intensive program to help startups become investment-ready. Beyond the Dobson Centre, the McGill Engine Centre provides TechAccel Grants to help students develop technology-based ideas with business potential. Additionally, programs like the Macdonald Innovation & Entrepreneurship Start-up Prize offer seed funding specifically to students in Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. McGill also connects students with external funding opportunities like Mitacs Accelerate Entrepreneur, which supports student and postdoctoral entrepreneurs through funded internships.

By choosing EWOR, McGill 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. 

McGill University's local incubators, such as the Dobson Centre for Entrepreneurship and the Community Health and Social Medicine (CHASM) Incubator, cultivate a strong network and community for students. The Dobson Centre connects students with experienced entrepreneurs, investors, and business leaders for mentorship and guidance. They also facilitate networking opportunities with other startups and partners through workshops and programs. CHASM specifically focuses on student-community partnerships, providing mentorship from experts and a network of student leaders to support projects addressing community health needs. These incubators emphasize collaboration, offering resources, training, and funding to help students develop their ideas and build connections within and beyond the university.

While local incubators at McGill 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. 

McGill University's Dobson Centre for Entrepreneurship offers various programs to support startups, including the X-1 Accelerator and Lean Startup program. These incubators provide resources like mentorship, networking, workshops, and access to funding. Program delivery varies. The X-1 Accelerator is primarily in-person with some virtual options, while the Lean Startup program is hybrid, combining virtual and in-person sessions. This hybrid approach can accommodate a wider network of speakers and mentors and potentially increase student participation by offering flexibility. Accessibility for students with disabilities on campus is an ongoing focus, though challenges exist with physical infrastructure in older buildings. McGill provides adapted transport for eligible students.

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

McGill University's local incubators, such as the Dobson Centre for Entrepreneurship, offer various educational supports to foster entrepreneurial skills. These include workshops, courses, and programs designed to guide students through the entrepreneurial journey. The Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Series, in collaboration with the McGill Engine Centre, provides workshops covering topics like the Entrepreneurial Mindset, Lean Startup Methodologies, market analysis, and intellectual property. The Dobson Centre also offers programs like the McGill Lean Startup Programs and the McGill X-1 Accelerator. Additionally, students can access McGill Entrepreneurship Courses, which include credit and non-credit options, and benefit from mentorship opportunities. The School of Continuing Studies also acts as an incubator, offering programs tailored to professionals and lifelong learners, fostering innovation and workforce development.

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 McGill 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 McGill 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