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

As a student at Sungkyunkwan 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 Sungkyunkwan 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.

Sungkyunkwan University's local incubators offer valuable mentorship opportunities for early-stage entrepreneurs. These programs connect startups with experienced mentors, including faculty and industry professionals. Local mentors provide crucial guidance on various aspects of business, from technical development and commercialization to navigating the local ecosystem and attracting investment. This localized support helps entrepreneurs refine their business models, access relevant resources, and build essential networks, significantly increasing their chances of success in the early stages. The university's focus on industry-academia collaboration strengthens the value of this mentorship.

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.

Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) offers various funding opportunities for student startups through its local incubators and support programs. The SKKU Startup Support Foundation provides systematic assistance, including mentoring, funding, and networking. As a "Leading University for Start-up," SKKU offers commercialization support, which can include expenses for prototype production and marketing with government funding, potentially up to 100 million KRW. The university also supports entrepreneurial student organizations with education, expert mentorship, and commercialization funds. Additionally, SKKU's Graduate School of Global Entrepreneurship runs Kingo Spring, a startup accelerator and venture capital that provides mentoring and funding opportunities. Through initiatives like the Campus Town Project, SKKU aims to create a youth entrepreneurship ecosystem with regional cooperation, offering incubation space, mentorship, and funding for startups.

By choosing EWOR, Sungkyunkwan 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. 

Sungkyunkwan University's local incubators foster a strong network and community to help students build connections and collaborate. The SKKU Startup Support Foundation provides mentoring, funding, and networking opportunities, connecting students with researchers, faculty, and industry partners. Programs like the Entrepreneurship Project Team (EPT) offer training, expert mentorship, and commercialization funds. The Campus Town Project Board also facilitates networking and information exchange through spaces like the Kingo Start-up Space. Collaborations with external organizations, such as Hyundai E&C and international universities, further expand the network and provide opportunities for students to test ideas and explore global markets. The university emphasizes academic-industrial cooperation and provides resources like the Research and Business Foundation to support student ventures.

While local incubators at Sungkyunkwan 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. 

Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) operates a Start-up Support Foundation with a business incubator aimed at increasing the success rate of new ventures. This foundation provides space, equipment, and comprehensive services including management, technology, taxes, and accounting support. SKKU's approach includes entrepreneurship education and assistance with discovering and commercializing business ideas. While specific details on the format (in-person, remote, or hybrid) of all incubator programs are not explicitly stated, the provision of physical space and equipment suggests a significant in-person component. The university also emphasizes practical education and hands-on experience, which often involves in-person interaction. The impact on student participation would likely favor those who can be physically present, although some educational or mentoring aspects might be accessible remotely.

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

Sungkyunkwan University's (SKKU) local incubators, supported by the SKKU Startup Support Foundation, offer comprehensive educational support to foster entrepreneurship. They provide various startup-related educational opportunities, including theoretical and practical training to develop entrepreneurial attitudes. SKKU's Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center coordinates the development and incubation of student startup societies and operates entrepreneurial courses. They also offer year-round startup programs, special lectures, and step-by-step expert mentoring. The university aims to cultivate practical entrepreneurs and experts through tailored education programs.

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 Sungkyunkwan 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 Sungkyunkwan 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