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

As a student at National Taiwan 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 National Taiwan 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.

National Taiwan University (NTU) and its associated incubators offer mentorship opportunities to support early-stage entrepreneurs. These programs connect startups with experienced mentors, including faculty, staff, alumni, and industry practitioners. The value of local mentors lies in their understanding of the Taiwanese market, culture, and business environment. They provide crucial guidance on navigating local regulations, accessing resources, and building relevant networks. This local expertise helps early-stage entrepreneurs refine their business models, overcome challenges, and increase their chances of success in the local ecosystem. NTU's initiatives, like the International Mentorship Program, also connect international students with local mentors to help them integrate into the Taiwanese job market.

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.

National Taiwan University (NTU) offers various funding opportunities for student startups through its local incubators and related programs. The NTU Innovation & Incubation Center (NTUIIC) provides resources and support to help small and medium-sized enterprises, including those founded by students, grow. NTU also has specific initiatives like the Diamond Seed Fund, a sustainable endowment providing early-stage funding to student teams in the Creativity and Entrepreneurship Program's NTU Garage project. Additionally, NTU's NTUitive offers the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) Fund, providing up to S$10,000 in equity-free seed funding to help students and staff develop their ideas. The Growing Entrepreneurial Talents (GET) innovation grant is another avenue for students to receive funding for early-stage ideas.

By choosing EWOR, National Taiwan 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. 

National Taiwan University's (NTU) local incubators, such as the NTU Innovation & Incubation Center (NTUIIC) and the Business Incubator Center at National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (NTUST), cultivate a network and community focused on fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. These centers aim to help students and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) develop their ventures. The incubator community facilitates connections and collaboration through various means. They provide access to extensive resources, including mentorship from professors and industry experts, as well as corporate collaboration opportunities. Events and programs like startup challenges and accelerators also help integrate the community and provide platforms for networking and idea exchange. Additionally, the incubators encourage cooperation between university labs and resident firms, and recruit students to provide manpower to businesses, further building connections and providing practical experience. This integrated approach helps students gain real-world experience and a competitive edge.

While local incubators at National Taiwan 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. 

National Taiwan University (NTU) has local incubators, such as the NTU Innovation & Incubation Center (NTUIIC), which support startups and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). These centers provide resources like workspace, facilities, mentorship, and funding assistance. While the information doesn't explicitly state if all programs are in-person, remote, or hybrid, the provision of physical incubation space and facilities suggests a strong in-person component. However, NTU also engages in international collaborations and programs, which might incorporate remote or hybrid elements to facilitate broader participation. The accessibility of these programs to students is highlighted by opportunities for participation in events and training programs like the NTU Entrepreneurship & Start-Up Training (NEST) program. While foreign exchange students may receive basic mentorship, they might not be eligible for all benefits like grants or incubation space. The format of the programs (in-person, remote, or hybrid) would directly impact student participation, with hybrid or remote options potentially increasing accessibility for students who cannot be on campus full-time.

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

National Taiwan University (NTU) and National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (NTUST) incubators offer educational support to foster entrepreneurial skills. NTUST's Business Incubation Center provides resources and services to help entrepreneurs and small businesses. They recruit students to provide manpower to incubated companies and offer professional services through agreements with other institutions. NTUST also hosts international bootcamps with training courses to expand students' global vision and inspire innovative ideas. NTU's Innovation & Incubation Center aims to create an environment for entrepreneurship and innovation, offering professional technology consulting services from faculty and industry experts. NTU's College of Management offers an Entrepreneurship and Innovation MBA program with core courses like Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management, Marketing, and Finance, along with required Entrepreneurship Project seminars.

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 National Taiwan 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 National Taiwan 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