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

As a student at Newcastle 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 Newcastle 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.

Newcastle University's local incubators offer valuable mentorship for early-stage entrepreneurs. These programs connect aspiring business owners with experienced local business managers and entrepreneurs who have successfully built and scaled companies. Mentors provide one-on-one guidance, sharing their expertise and insights to help navigate challenges and make informed decisions. This local focus ensures mentors understand the regional business landscape and can offer relevant support. The mentorship, alongside workshops and networking opportunities, helps founders validate ideas, develop business plans, and build the skills needed for growth.

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.

Newcastle University offers various funding opportunities for student startups through its local incubators and enterprise support programs. The START UP Founderships program provides recent graduates with business development packages worth up to £20,000, including equity-free grant funding. The university's START UP team also offers grants of up to £3,000 to help students with business exploration and development, such as market research and prototyping. Additionally, students undertaking specific courses and completing the Integrated Innovation Network (I2N) Accelerator program may be eligible for £25,000 in seed funding. These initiatives, supported by the university and its donor community, aim to help students and graduates transform their ideas into viable businesses.

By choosing EWOR, Newcastle 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. 

Newcastle University's local incubators, such as the START UP programme and the Integrated Innovation Network (I2N), cultivate a strong community for students and graduates interested in entrepreneurship. This network provides a supportive environment where like-minded individuals can connect and collaborate. Through initiatives like START UP Founderships and the I2N Female Founders Program, students gain access to coaching, mentorship, and networking opportunities with experienced entrepreneurs and industry professionals. Co-working spaces like The START UP Space and those at Newcastle Helix facilitate interaction and collaboration among student businesses. Events, workshops, and networking sessions further help students build connections, share ideas, and develop their entrepreneurial skills within this supportive community.

While local incubators at Newcastle 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. 

Newcastle University supports student entrepreneurship through its START UP programme, which assists students and recent graduates in starting and growing businesses, freelance careers, or social enterprises. This support includes one-to-one coaching, workshops, and access to grant funding. While Newcastle University primarily delivers its programmes in-person and on campus, it has invested in digital education and is piloting hybrid teaching. This hybrid approach, combining on-campus and remote elements, aims to enhance accessibility and inclusivity for students who may be unable to attend in person. This flexibility can positively impact student participation by allowing those with medical or other reasons for absence to engage with learning in real-time. The university also offers accessible physical spaces.

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

Newcastle University offers educational support for aspiring student entrepreneurs through various initiatives. The university's Integrated Innovation Network (I2N) is specifically designed to support entrepreneurship skill development and new ventures. Students can access workshops and events to develop personal and business skills, find peer support, and dedicate time to their startups. These workshops cover topics like SEO and utilizing data for business insights. The university also offers courses such as "Startup Placement" and "International Startup Placement," where students gain hands-on experience working in startups. Additionally, there are opportunities for international innovation tours to explore foreign startup ecosystems. The university also hosts drop-in sessions for students seeking advice on business ideas, funding, or pitching.

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 Newcastle 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 Newcastle 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