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

As a student at RMIT 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 RMIT 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.

RMIT University's local incubators, such as RMIT Activator and Launch Hub, offer valuable mentorship opportunities for early-stage entrepreneurs. These programs connect students, alumni, and staff with experienced local mentors, including seasoned entrepreneurs and industry experts. This local focus provides tailored guidance, industry insights, and networking connections relevant to the Australian market. Mentors help navigate challenges, refine business models, and build essential skills, increasing the likelihood of success for new ventures. The mentorship is often delivered through structured programs and can include one-on-one sessions or team mentoring.

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.

RMIT University offers various funding opportunities for student startups through its entrepreneurship program, RMIT Activator. RMIT Activator's flagship pre-accelerator program, LaunchHUB, provides startups with the opportunity to pitch for pre-seed funding valued up to $20,000. Additionally, LaunchHUB startups can access approximately $200,000 worth of resources, including equity-free funding opportunities. Another funding avenue available to LaunchHUB founders is the Jacques Nasser Fund for Innovation, which grants scholarships worth $15,000 each to eligible startups. RMIT Activator has awarded over $3.1 million in pre-seed funding through the Activator Capital Fund and Jacques Nasser Fund for Innovation. The ReLaunch Incubator, supported by LaunchVic, also offers the opportunity to secure up to $20,000 in equity-free seed funding as a stepping stone to the ReLaunch Pre-Accelerator.

By choosing EWOR, RMIT 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. 

RMIT University's local incubators, such as RMIT Activator and SPARK Hub, cultivate a strong community for students. These spaces connect students with staff, alumni, and industry experts, fostering an entrepreneurial mindset. Through workshops, programs, and events, students gain skills, receive mentorship, and collaborate on innovative ventures. The incubators facilitate connections for projects, internships, and networking, bridging the gap between academia and industry. This collaborative environment helps students build valuable connections and turn ideas into reality.

While local incubators at RMIT 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. 

RMIT University's local incubators, such as the ReLaunch Incubator and the RMIT Fashion Incubator, offer structured programs to help aspiring entrepreneurs develop their startup ideas. These programs provide access to resources, expert facilitators, industry mentors, and networking opportunities. The format of these programs is often hybrid, combining both in-person and online sessions. For example, the ReLaunch Incubator includes weekly in-person workshops alongside online components. This hybrid approach aims to accommodate students' busy schedules while still providing valuable face-to-face interaction for relationship and network development. This flexibility can positively impact student participation by making programs more accessible to those who may have other commitments or face geographical barriers. RMIT also emphasizes digital and physical accessibility to remove barriers for students with disabilities.

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

RMIT University offers educational support for aspiring entrepreneurs through initiatives like RMIT Activator. RMIT Activator provides a range of programs and resources, including the Founder Academy, which offers learning experiences to develop design thinking and problem-solving skills. They also have the FounderHUB, an incubator program equipping founders with tools and mindsets for startup growth, and the LaunchHUB, a pre-accelerator program for early-stage startups. Additionally, RMIT offers courses and microcredentials in entrepreneurship and innovation. The university also participates in collaborative projects like "WIL Entrepreneurial Edge" which focuses on developing entrepreneurial capabilities through work-integrated learning.

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 RMIT 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 RMIT 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