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

As a student at The University of Auckland, 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 The University of Auckland 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.

The University of Auckland's Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) offers various mentorship opportunities for early-stage entrepreneurs through programs like Venture Lab and Start-up Support sessions. These initiatives connect students, alumni, and staff with experienced mentors who provide guidance on idea validation, business plan development, market entry, and securing investment. Local mentors offer valuable insights into the New Zealand market and connect entrepreneurs with the local ecosystem. They help navigate challenges, provide different perspectives, and brainstorm next steps for venture growth. The value of local mentors lies in their relevant expertise and ability to provide tailored support for the specific needs of early-stage businesses in the local context.

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.

The University of Auckland offers various funding opportunities for student startups through its innovation ecosystem. A key resource is the University of Auckland Inventors' Fund, managed by UniServices, which is a significant pre-seed and seed investment fund dedicated to supporting ventures developed by staff and students. This $40 million fund aims to be the first investor in University spin-out companies. The Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) also plays a vital role, offering programs like Venture Lab, a four to five-month incubator that provides tailored support, mentoring, and access to venture development funding upon achieving milestones. Through Venture Lab, students can receive guidance on accessing the University of Auckland Inventors' Fund. Additionally, the University supports initiatives like the Velocity $100k Challenge, a leading university startup competition.

By choosing EWOR, The University of Auckland 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. 

The University of Auckland fosters a dynamic startup ecosystem with various initiatives to support students. The Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) offers programs, events, and workshops to engage students in the entrepreneurial community. Their Venture Lab incubator provides tailored support, mentorship, and connections with industry leaders and investors. Programs like Velocity, the university's entrepreneurship program, draw on a network of business professionals and entrepreneurs who volunteer as mentors and speakers. This connected environment helps students build crucial connections, access expertise, and collaborate on developing their ventures.

While local incubators at The University of Auckland 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. 

The University of Auckland's Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) offers various programs, including Venture Lab, a four to five-month incubator. These programs provide tailored support, mentoring, funding access, workshops, and connections to industry and investors. They are free for University of Auckland students and staff. While information specifically detailing the format (in-person, remote, or hybrid) for all incubators is not explicitly stated, the university has utilized virtual formats for programs like internships, which were found to be effective and user-friendly, reducing time commitment. The university is also working towards enhancing the accessibility and consistency of its digital learning environments. The potential for hybrid models in university incubators is recognized as a way to accommodate diverse student needs and preferences. A hybrid approach could increase student participation by offering flexibility.

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

The University of Auckland's Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) offers various educational support programs for students developing entrepreneurial skills. These include workshops, courses, and experiential programs. Some examples are the One-Day Start-up Workshop, which covers the basics of building a venture idea and design thinking, and the Product Development Programme, a hands-on sprint for creating prototypes. CIE also provides longer programs like the Venture Lab, a four-to-five-month incubator offering tailored support, mentoring, and workshops for early-stage startups. Additionally, there are courses like "The Entrepreneurial Mindset" and "Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Action" available through the Business School. Students can also benefit from programs like Velocity, which offers mentorship and challenges. These programs are often free for University of Auckland students and staff.

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 The University of Auckland'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 The University of Auckland 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