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

As a student at Nanjing 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 Nanjing 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.

Nanjing University's local incubators provide mentorship opportunities crucial for early-stage entrepreneurs. These incubators, often linked with the university's science park and innovation centers, connect startups with experienced entrepreneurs and industry leaders. Local mentors offer invaluable insights into navigating the Chinese market, refining business strategies, and accessing local resources and networks. This guidance helps startups overcome challenges, accelerate growth, and increase their chances of success in the dynamic local ecosystem. The value of these local connections lies in their understanding of the specific cultural and business landscape, providing tailored support beyond generic advice.

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.

Nanjing University and other universities in Nanjing offer various funding opportunities for student startups through their local incubators and associated programs. These initiatives aim to foster innovation and contribute to local economic development. While specific details for Nanjing University's local incubators require further investigation, universities in the area, such as Nanjing Normal University and Hohai University, provide entrepreneurship centers with seed funding, incubator spaces, and networking events. Additionally, Nanjing Tech University offers a national-level incubator, seed funding, and other services to accelerate startup growth. The broader Nanjing area also features government subsidies, venture capital, and state-sponsored funds focused on innovation, particularly in high-tech sectors like AI and biotechnology.

By choosing EWOR, Nanjing 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. 

Nanjing University's local incubators foster a network and community designed to support student entrepreneurship. The Global Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, for instance, aims to stimulate awareness, enhance capacity, and share resources among students and young alumni. The university also collaborates with external entities like the Indonesian Chinese Entrepreneur Association to explore cooperation in areas such as youth digital skills training and cross-border industry-university-research mechanisms. Additionally, the city of Nanjing, with its numerous incubators and accelerators, provides networking opportunities and government support programs for startups, benefiting students from universities like Nanjing University. These initiatives help students build connections and facilitate collaboration within the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

While local incubators at Nanjing 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. 

Nanjing University has established the Global Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship to foster innovation and entrepreneurship among its students and young alumni. This institute aims to enhance entrepreneurial capacity, share resources, and promote new ventures. While specific details on the structure and accessibility of all local incubators directly tied to Nanjing University are not extensively detailed in the search results, Chinese universities, in general, play a significant role in the national innovation ecosystem. Government-funded incubators in China often provide free or subsidized space and resources to college graduates starting businesses. The mode of delivery (in-person, remote, or hybrid) for Nanjing University's incubator programs is not explicitly stated. However, the emphasis on providing physical space in Chinese incubators suggests a strong in-person component. The impact on student participation would likely depend on the flexibility offered. Hybrid or remote options could potentially increase accessibility for students with other commitments or those not physically located in Nanjing.

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

Nanjing University's local incubators, such as the Global Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, offer educational support to foster entrepreneurial skills. They aim to stimulate innovation awareness and enhance capacity through an integrated education system. This includes training for startups and entrepreneurs in the technology sector. While specific workshop and course details for all local incubators are not extensively detailed, the university emphasizes practical teaching and innovation training. Nanjing Tech University, for example, has a practical teaching system with modules for innovation and entrepreneurship training, including enterprise internships and course design. Additionally, there are programs like the College Students' Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Program which involve developing business plans and simulating enterprise operations.

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 Nanjing 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 Nanjing 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