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

As a student at MIT, 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 MIT 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.

MIT's local incubators, such as the MIT Sandbox Innovation Fund Program and the Venture Mentoring Service (VMS), offer robust mentorship opportunities crucial for early-stage entrepreneurs. These programs connect student and affiliated teams with experienced mentors, often drawn from the local Boston business community. Local mentors provide invaluable guidance, helping entrepreneurs set goals, refine business strategies, develop pitches, and build confidence. Their practical experience and industry-specific knowledge help startups navigate challenges and avoid common pitfalls. The VMS, for instance, utilizes a team mentoring approach, leveraging the diverse expertise of local volunteers to provide tailored coaching and insights. This local network and expertise are vital for transforming innovative ideas into viable businesses within the regional 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.

MIT offers robust funding opportunities for student startups through its entrepreneurial ecosystem. The Martin Trust Center for MIT Entrepreneurship oversees programs like the MIT Delta V accelerator, which provides eligible student teams with up to $20,000 in equity-free venture funding and monthly stipends of $2,500 per student for living expenses. The MIT Sandbox Innovation Fund Program offers seed funding ranging from $1,000 to $25,000 to help students explore and develop their ideas. Additionally, the E14 Fund provides pre-seed investment opportunities, typically between $50,000 and $250,000, for startups affiliated with the MIT ecosystem, including those founded by students. These programs, among others like the MIT $15K Arts Startup Incubator, provide crucial financial support and resources for student entrepreneurs.

By choosing EWOR, MIT 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. 

MIT's local incubators and entrepreneurship initiatives cultivate a strong community for students. Organizations like the MIT Entrepreneurship Club and the Martin Trust Center connect aspiring founders and those interested in startups. This network facilitates connections through various events, workshops, and guest lectures, allowing students to interact with peers, industry professionals, mentors, and alumni. Collaborative projects and team activities are encouraged, fostering teamwork and idea exchange. The community provides a supportive environment for students to build relationships and collaborate on ventures.

While local incubators at MIT 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. 

MIT offers various incubators and programs supporting entrepreneurship, with structures that can be in-person, remote, or hybrid. For example, the SUD Ventures program is a hybrid model combining online sessions with an in-person bootcamp at MIT. The MIT Arts Startup Incubator is a year-long program with workshops and mentorship, culminating in a pitch event. These programs provide resources like mentorship, workshops, networking opportunities, and sometimes seed funding and workspace. The format impacts student participation by offering flexibility through hybrid models while still providing valuable in-person interaction and access to the MIT ecosystem. This blend aims to accommodate diverse schedules and locations while fostering collaboration and innovation.

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

MIT's entrepreneurial ecosystem, including the Martin Trust Center and accelerators like delta v, offers robust educational support. They provide over 60 entrepreneurship and innovation courses covering the entire venture creation process. Students can access workshops, seminars, guest lectures, and tailored educational experiences. Programs emphasize hands-on learning, mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs, and networking opportunities. Resources like the MIT Sandbox Innovation Fund offer seed funding and dedicated mentoring. The approach focuses on teaching entrepreneurship as a craft through proven frameworks and practical application.

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 MIT'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 MIT 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