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

As a student at New York 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 New York 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.

NYU's local incubators offer significant mentorship opportunities for early-stage entrepreneurs. These incubators connect startups with experienced professionals, industry experts, and even successful founders from the local ecosystem. This local focus provides valuable insights into the specific challenges and opportunities within the New York City market. Mentors provide guidance on various aspects of building a business, including refining business models, developing marketing strategies, accessing funding, and navigating the local network. The value of these local mentors lies in their firsthand knowledge of the NYC landscape, offering tailored support and connections that are crucial for early-stage companies to gain traction and scale in a competitive environment.

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.

NYU offers various funding opportunities for student startups through its local incubators and programs. The NYU Entrepreneurial Institute is a key hub, providing training, mentorship, and funding. The NYU Innovation Venture Fund is a seed-stage fund that invests exclusively in startups founded by current NYU students, faculty, and researchers. Additionally, programs like the NYU Summer Launchpad provide grant funding, mentorship, and resources to help student teams accelerate their ventures. Students can also explore opportunities like the Entrepreneurs Challenge, which offers prizes, and Green Grants for sustainability-focused ventures. NYU's network of incubators, such as the Tandon Future Labs, also provides support, including access to capital and mentorship.

By choosing EWOR, New York 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. 

NYU's local incubators, such as the Tandon Future Labs network and the Leslie eLab, cultivate a strong community for student entrepreneurs. These spaces provide resources like co-working areas and meeting rooms to facilitate interaction. The incubators actively foster connections through networking events, workshops, and mentorship programs with industry experts, investors, and experienced entrepreneurs. This environment encourages collaboration, allowing students to share ideas, learn from each other, and build valuable relationships that can help accelerate their ventures.

While local incubators at New York 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. 

NYU offers various incubators and accelerators to support student entrepreneurship, providing resources like guidance, capital, and space. These include the Tandon Future Labs network, the Summer Launchpad accelerator, the NYU Game Center Incubator, and the NYC Media Lab. While some programs, like the new digital game design incubator, require in-person attendance, others may offer hybrid options. The Hospitality Innovation Hub Incubator, for instance, supports NYU-affiliated startups. The modality of these programs (in-person, remote, or hybrid) can impact student participation, with hybrid models potentially offering more flexibility for those unable to attend in person.

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

NYU's local incubators provide comprehensive educational support for aspiring entrepreneurs. They offer a variety of workshops and classes covering essential startup skills like pitching to investors, brand strategy, and design thinking. Programs such as the Startup Bootcamp and Startup Sprint help students test ideas and develop scalable business models. The NYU Tandon School of Engineering also offers the SPIKE program, providing students with hands-on experience in early-stage companies within their incubators. Additionally, the Berkley Center for Entrepreneurship hosts the Entrepreneurs Challenge, a competition that includes workshops, boot camps, and coaching. Specialized programs like the Veterans Entrepreneurship Training (VET-I) offer tailored curricula on business models, legal matters, and more.

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 New York 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 New York 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