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

As a student at Seoul National 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 Seoul National 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.

Seoul National University's local incubators, such as the SNU Campus Town Project Center, offer valuable mentorship opportunities for early-stage entrepreneurs. These programs connect startups with experienced professionals, including mentors, investors, and experts in various fields. Local mentors provide tailored guidance, drawing on their business experience and technical expertise to help entrepreneurs refine business models, develop strategies, and solve problems. This local support is crucial for navigating the South Korean market and building essential networks. Mentorship helps entrepreneurs gain business knowledge, prioritize goals, increase confidence, and access relevant networks, ultimately enhancing their entrepreneurial competence and increasing their chances of success.

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.

Seoul National University (SNU) offers various funding opportunities for student startups through its local incubators and programs. The SNU Entrepreneurship Center provides mentoring, networking, and business advice, including support through the SNU Seed Fund. The university's Innovation Park, in collaboration with the Seoul Metropolitan Government, also offers resources and operating spaces for entrepreneurs. Additionally, SNU has a Student Startup Scholarship program, providing funding to eligible currently enrolled students who have registered and are actively running a business established within the last 5 years. Seoul Techno Holdings, affiliated with SNU, supports commercialization through investments and incubation programs. These initiatives aim to foster a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem and help student startups secure necessary funding and support.

By choosing EWOR, Seoul National 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. 

Seoul National University (SNU) has a strong network and community within its local incubators, fostering a proactive entrepreneurship environment. Initiatives like the SNU Innovation Park offer resources such as operating spaces, mentoring, and networking opportunities. The SNU Startup Support Division actively supports startups from students, alumni, and those in the nearby Gwanak S Valley venture town. They strengthen connections between SNU corporations and investors through programs like the SNU IR Club and the SNU Alumni Entrepreneur Network. The SNU Campus Town Project Center also provides free office spaces, mentoring, and networking events, including clubs and forums where students can connect with mentors, investors, and accelerators. This ecosystem helps students build connections and collaborate by providing access to experienced entrepreneurs, potential investors, and a supportive community.

While local incubators at Seoul National 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. 

Seoul National University (SNU) supports entrepreneurship through various programs and centers, including the SNU Campus Town Project Center and the STH Incubation Center. These initiatives provide resources like free office space, makerspaces for prototyping, and tailored mentoring from experts and successful entrepreneurs. They also facilitate networking opportunities with mentors, investors, and accelerators, and offer support in areas like technology verification and intellectual property. While specific details on the format (in-person, remote, or hybrid) for all SNU incubator programs are not explicitly stated, the provision of physical spaces like offices and makerspaces suggests a strong in-person component. The STH Incubation Center, for instance, aims to connect startups with the wider ecosystem of universities and entrepreneurship centers, implying physical interaction. The in-person nature of these resources likely encourages direct collaboration and networking among students and with external stakeholders, potentially enhancing the development of their ventures.

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

Seoul National University (SNU) and its affiliated entities provide various educational supports for aspiring entrepreneurs. SNU offers regular courses on entrepreneurship, a combined major in Entrepreneurship, and even an Entrepreneurship leave of absence and credit system. They also support startup clubs, provide guidebooks, and host special lectures and competitions. Seoul Techno Holdings, established to commercialize SNU's technologies, offers incubation programs and connects startups with the wider university ecosystem. Additionally, the Gwanak District and SNU have collaborated to create a startup support center, consolidating various centers into "S Valley," which aims to attract young talent and businesses. While specific workshop or module details are not extensively listed, the focus is on providing a supportive environment with resources and connections to foster entrepreneurial skill development.

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 Seoul National 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 Seoul National 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