The EWOR Advantage: 5 Reasons Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile Students Should Look Beyond Local Incubators

As a student at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, 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 Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile 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.

Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile's incubators, such as Incuba UC, offer valuable mentorship opportunities for early-stage entrepreneurs. These programs connect startups with experienced professionals and experts, providing guidance on various aspects of business development, from ideation to scaling. Local mentors offer crucial support by sharing their knowledge of the Chilean market and entrepreneurial ecosystem. This local expertise helps entrepreneurs navigate the specific challenges and opportunities within the region, build relevant networks, and refine their business models for local success. The Innovation Office at UC also provides mentoring and consulting to guide community members with their projects.

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.

Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (UC) supports student startups through various initiatives, including local incubators and participation in broader programs. While specific details on UC's *local* incubator funding were not extensively detailed in the search results, the university is involved in programs that offer seed funding and support to early-stage ventures. For instance, UC collaborates with the University of New South Wales on a Seed Fund Call for Proposals that includes students and aims to support innovative projects. Additionally, UC is a partner in the Global Startups Program, which facilitates internships for international students in UC-connected startups, contributing to their growth. Chile also has a prominent government-backed accelerator, Start-Up Chile, which provides equity-free seed capital and a range of support services to eligible startups, including those with a functional product and less than three years of development. This program is open to global entrepreneurs and aims to use Chile as a platform for scaling businesses. While not exclusively for UC students, these national and international collaborations provide potential funding avenues and acceleration opportunities for student ventures emerging from the university ecosystem.

By choosing EWOR, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile 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. 

Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (UC) fosters a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem through its incubators like IncubaUC. These incubators connect students with mentors, investors, and industry experts, facilitating networking and collaboration. They provide resources, funding opportunities, and co-working spaces to help students develop their ventures. UC also has international partnerships, enabling startups to exchange knowledge and experiences globally. This supportive environment encourages students to build connections and collaborate on innovative projects.

While local incubators at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile 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. 

Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (UC Chile) has business incubators that are part of the university's structure and receive support from it. These incubators aim to support entrepreneurs, including students, by providing services like mentorship, access to funding, and networking opportunities. UC Chile has been incorporating hybrid and virtual formats in its programs, including research internships. This suggests that some incubator activities or related entrepreneurial programs may also offer remote or hybrid options, potentially increasing accessibility for students who may face constraints with in-person participation. The move towards hybrid models in Chilean universities generally aims to optimize teaching and encourage student participation.

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

Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (UC) offers robust educational support for aspiring entrepreneurs through its local incubators and various programs. The School of Engineering, for instance, integrates innovation and entrepreneurship into its core curriculum with required courses like "Engineering Challenges" and "Research, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship". These courses task students with developing innovative solutions and creating business plans. Beyond core requirements, UC provides numerous elective courses on innovation and entrepreneurship. The UC Anacleto Angelini Innovation Center also plays a key role, supporting thousands of entrepreneurs and offering workshops and resources, including manufacturing labs for prototyping. Additionally, UC participates in initiatives like the "Pathway to Prosperity" workshop series, which focuses on social entrepreneurship and provides valuable skills and frameworks. The university also offers support services for academic performance and psychological well-being, contributing to a holistic environment for student entrepreneurs.

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 Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile'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 Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile 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