The EWOR Advantage: 5 Reasons Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Students Should Look Beyond Local Incubators

As a student at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 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 Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 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.

Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore offers various mentorship opportunities through its incubators and programs to support early-stage entrepreneurs. The NTU Entrepreneurship Academy (NTUpreneur) has a Mentorship Clinic where students can receive one-on-one guidance from faculty, staff, and alumni with industry experience. Local mentors are valuable as they provide insights into the Singaporean market, industry best practices, and access to local networks. Programs like the upcoming National Graduate Research Innovation Programme (National GRIP), a collaboration between NTU and NUS, will offer personalized mentorship from industry leaders and experts to help startups refine ideas, validate market needs, and design business models. This local expertise is crucial for navigating the specific challenges and opportunities within the Singapore 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.

Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore offers various funding opportunities for student startups through its local incubators and programmes. NTUitive, the university's innovation and enterprise company, plays a key role in providing support, including mentorship, incubation space, and assistance with grant applications. One notable seed funding option is the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) Fund, which provides up to S$10,000 for entrepreneurial teams to develop their initial prototype. This fund is open to NTU faculty, staff, students, and alumni. Additionally, NTUitive assists eligible startups in applying for the Startup SG Founder grant, a program by Enterprise Singapore that offers up to S$50,000 for eligible businesses. NTU also has other grants and programmes like the NTUitive Gap Fund (POC Grant) for more advanced development, and the NTU Venture Creation Programme which provides seed funding and potential additional funding for top student teams. Students can also explore opportunities like the Chua Thian Poh Entrepreneurship Education Fund, GET Innovation Grant, and the Kumar Sustainability & Innovation Prize.

By choosing EWOR, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 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. 

NTU's local incubators, like those supported by NTUitive, cultivate a strong community for students. They provide mentorship from industry experts and access to a network of connections essential for business growth. Dedicated spaces such as the Innovation Port offer students areas for networking sessions, workshops, and casual collaboration. Programs like the National Graduate Research Innovation Programme (National GRIP), a collaboration with NUS, further enhance this by integrating existing successful incubator models and providing a structured framework for refining ideas and building business models. This ecosystem helps students connect with peers, mentors, and potential partners, fostering a collaborative environment to develop their entrepreneurial ventures.

While local incubators at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 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. 

NTU Singapore offers various entrepreneurship programs and incubation support through NTUitive, its innovation and enterprise company. These programs aim to nurture innovation, foster entrepreneurship, and commercialize research. NTU has been adopting a digital-first strategy and leveraging technology to enable hybrid learning and remote work, which became particularly evident during the shift to online learning in 2020. This suggests that some program components may be accessible remotely or in a hybrid format. The structure often involves mentorship, access to resources like co-working spaces and labs, and funding opportunities. For example, the upcoming National Graduate Research Innovation Programme (National GRIP), a collaboration between NTU and NUS, will be a 12-month comprehensive incubator program. The accessibility through hybrid or remote options can significantly impact student participation, allowing greater flexibility for those with other commitments or those who are not always on campus.

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

Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Singapore, through initiatives like the NTU Entrepreneurship Academy and NTUitive, offers robust educational support for aspiring entrepreneurs. They provide a range of workshops, courses, and learning modules designed to develop entrepreneurial skills. These include modules on new venture financing, venture capital investment and practice, entrepreneurial decision making, and technology commercialisation. NTU also offers hands-on experiential learning through programs like the Overseas Entrepreneurship Programme and various innovation challenges, bootcamps, and workshops. Courses cover topics such as entrepreneurship marketing, entrepreneurial accounting and finance, and managing new ventures. Additionally, NTU is involved in the National Graduate Research Innovation Programme (National GRIP), which integrates existing incubator programs to support startup teams in refining ideas, validating market needs, and designing business models.

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 Nanyang Technological University, Singapore'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 Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 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