The EWOR Advantage: 5 Reasons Shanghai Jiao Tong University Students Should Look Beyond Local Incubators

As a student at Shanghai Jiao Tong 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 Shanghai Jiao Tong 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.

Shanghai Jiao Tong University's local incubators, such as neoBay, offer valuable mentorship opportunities for early-stage entrepreneurs. These incubators connect startups with experienced entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and innovators who provide guidance on strategy, product development, scaling, and navigating challenges. The value of these local mentors lies in their ability to offer personalized advice and access to their networks within the Shanghai ecosystem. This support is crucial for early-stage entrepreneurs as it helps them refine their business plans, improve their business quality, and access resources for further development. The incubators aim to build an efficiently collaborative ecosystem by integrating resources from the university, industry, and government.

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.

Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) is actively involved in supporting innovation and entrepreneurship through its local incubators and various funding initiatives. The university collaborates with partners like the Shanghai Land Group and the Minhang District government to create innovation ecosystems such as neoBay, which aims to connect academia with industry and facilitate the commercialization of new technologies. SJTU also participates in joint seed funding schemes with international universities, like the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the University of Liverpool, to promote collaborative research that can lead to impactful projects and potential external funding. While specific details on dedicated seed funding or grant programs exclusively for student startups within SJTU's local incubators are not extensively detailed in the search results, the university's broader efforts in fostering innovation, establishing incubators, and participating in seed funding initiatives suggest a supportive environment for emerging ventures, including those led by students.

By choosing EWOR, Shanghai Jiao Tong 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. 

Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) fosters a strong network and community within its local incubators to support student entrepreneurship. Initiatives like the Student Innovation Center provide resources and guidance for startups. SJTU collaborates with entities like the Shanghai Land Group and the Minhang District government to create innovation clusters such as neoBay, which aims to connect academia with industry and build an international ecosystem. This ecosystem facilitates matchmaking and commercialization of new technologies, attracting global startups and contributing to Shanghai's innovation hub status. The university also engages in partnerships with companies like Huawei to integrate industry needs into training and support student ventures. Through these collaborations and dedicated centers, SJTU's incubator community helps students build connections with experts, industry partners, and fellow entrepreneurs, fostering a collaborative environment for developing and launching businesses.

While local incubators at Shanghai Jiao Tong 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. 

Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) has local incubators, such as the SJTU-Minhang Industrial Incubation Center of Medical Robotics, which focuses on commercializing research and incubating startups in medical robotics. These incubators often involve collaboration between the university, local government, and industry partners. While some programs, like the SJTU Summer Entrepreneurship Program, are described as bootcamps with hands-on activities and networking, implying an in-person component, SJTU also offers programs with virtual formats. The accessibility of these programs to students is influenced by their format. Hybrid or remote options can increase participation for students who may face geographical or time constraints, while in-person programs offer direct access to facilities and face-to-face interactions with mentors and peers.

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

Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) provides various educational support through its incubators and related initiatives to foster entrepreneurial skills. The university has transformed its Engineering Training Center into a Student Innovation Center, offering business start-up guidance. SJTU collaborates with entities like Huawei to integrate technology into courses and facilitate innovation and entrepreneurship. They also participate in and host entrepreneurship competitions, providing opportunities for students to develop and showcase their ventures, with support for finding investment and incubators for winners. SJTU also engages in international collaborations, such as the Joint Entrepreneurship School with Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), which includes workshops on business model development, financial planning, marketing, and intellectual property. Additionally, programs like the International Business Acceleration Program offer interaction with business experts and online acceleration programs to refine business plans. The university's focus is on creating an innovation education ecosystem with a curriculum system that guides students from talent discovery to entrepreneurship.

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 Shanghai Jiao Tong 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 Shanghai Jiao Tong 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