The EWOR Advantage: 5 Reasons Queen Mary University of London Students Should Look Beyond Local Incubators

As a student at Queen Mary University of London, 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 Queen Mary University of London 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.

Queen Mary University of London's local incubators, such as the QM BioEnterprises Innovation Centre and the QM Enterprise Zone, provide valuable mentorship opportunities for early-stage entrepreneurs. These incubators offer access to industry mentors and faculty members who support the development of entrepreneurial knowledge and skills. The value of these local mentors lies in their ability to provide tailored advice and support, drawing on their experience to help startups navigate challenges and grow. This mentorship, alongside other resources like workshops and networking opportunities, helps early-stage businesses succeed. Queen Mary's commitment to supporting local businesses and the economy is evident in these initiatives.

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.

Queen Mary University of London offers various funding opportunities for student startups through its enterprise programmes and incubators. Students and recent graduates (within two years) with a business idea can apply for equity-free awards. These include Try It (up to £500), Grow It (up to £3,000), Launch It (up to £3,000), and Build It (up to £10,000) funding. The university's incubators, such as the Queen Mary BioEnterprises Innovation Centre (QMB) and the Queen Mary University Enterprise Zone (QME), provide workspace and support for early-stage companies, particularly in Digital Health, MedTech, and AI. Additionally, Queen Mary is involved in the London Social Venture Fund, which provides early funding for startups with a social purpose.

By choosing EWOR, Queen Mary University of London 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. 

Queen Mary University of London's local incubators, such as the QMB Innovation Centre and the Queen Mary University Enterprise Zone (QME), cultivate a supportive community for students and entrepreneurs. These spaces offer flexible workspace and are designed to encourage collaboration and networking. Students can connect with like-minded individuals, industry experts, and investors through workshops, events, and networking sessions. Programmes like QIncubator specifically aim to help students develop entrepreneurial skills through training, expert coaching, and peer learning. The community facilitates connections with mentors and guest lecturers, allowing students to build professional networks and gain valuable insights. This environment helps students develop their business ideas and learn the collaborative skills essential for entrepreneurship.

While local incubators at Queen Mary University of London 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. 

Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) offers various initiatives to support student entrepreneurship, including the QM BioEnterprises Innovation Centre (QMB) and the Queen Mary Enterprise Zone (QME). These spaces provide physical incubation with offices, co-working areas, and hot desks, particularly for life sciences, Digital Health, Med-Tech, and AI start-ups. QMUL's entrepreneurship support also includes programmes like qLegal and qNomics, which offer legal and financial advice to start-ups, often delivered by students. The qLegal externship programme can be in-person, remote, or hybrid, allowing students to work with start-ups. This hybrid approach enhances accessibility for students with different needs and commitments, potentially increasing participation by offering flexibility. While some resources are physical, the integration of remote and hybrid options in certain programmes caters to a wider student body.

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

Queen Mary University of London's local incubators, such as the QM BioEnterprises Innovation Centre and the QM Enterprise Zone, offer educational support to help students and SMEs develop entrepreneurial skills. This includes a range of regular workshops. The School of Business and Management integrates enterprise training and skill development across its curriculum, with teaching modules and learning opportunities involving SMEs. Noteworthy initiatives include the SBM Entrepreneurship Hub and the QIncubator program, an 8-week program combining training, coaching, and peer-learning to help students develop business models and define customer value propositions. They also offer courses in Business Management & Enterprise covering topics like Design Thinking, Marketing Management, and Mastering AI & Data Science.

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 Queen Mary University of London'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 Queen Mary University of London 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