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

As a student at Tohoku 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 Tohoku 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.

Tohoku University's local incubators, such as T-Biz and the Tohoku University Startup Garage (TUSG), offer valuable mentorship opportunities for early-stage entrepreneurs. These programs connect startups with experienced mentors, including university faculty, alumni, and industry professionals. Local mentors provide crucial guidance on navigating the Japanese market, understanding consumer preferences, and adapting business strategies to local nuances. They offer support in areas like business development, fundraising, legal issues, and marketing. This local expertise is vital for early-stage companies to overcome challenges and increase their chances of success in the Tohoku region and beyond. The incubators aim to foster a regional innovation ecosystem by connecting universities, local industries, and government bodies.

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.

Tohoku University actively supports student entrepreneurship through its local incubators and various funding opportunities. The Tohoku University Startup Incubation Center offers programs like the "Early Work Program," providing development funds and resources for student technology projects. The university also has a Business Incubation Program (BIP) and is involved in the Michinoku GAP Fund, which supports the development of business models and plans for university-born startups. Furthermore, Tohoku University Venture Partners, a venture capital company, invests in promising university-originated startups. The university has also established a fund specifically to support students aiming to start businesses, providing necessary commercialization funds and professional mentoring. These initiatives, along with facilities like the Tohoku University Startup Garage, contribute to a supportive ecosystem for student entrepreneurs.

By choosing EWOR, Tohoku 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. 

Tohoku University's local incubators foster a strong community to help students build connections and collaborate. The Startup Incubation Center and the Startup Garage serve as central hubs, bringing together aspiring entrepreneurs, experienced founders, and supporters. Programs like the Early Work Program provide students with development funds and locations, encouraging interaction and learning through hands-on projects and discussions. The Michinoku Academia Startup Platform, a consortium led by Tohoku University, further strengthens this network by connecting students with other universities, local governments, companies, and financial institutions to accelerate startup creation and build a regional ecosystem. Events and seminars organized within this community also facilitate networking and collaboration among students and other stakeholders.

While local incubators at Tohoku 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. 

Tohoku University offers various programs to foster entrepreneurship and support startups, including the Startup Incubation Center and the Social Innovator Hub (SIH) Incubation Program. These initiatives aim to commercialize research outcomes and address social challenges. The SIH program, for example, utilizes a hybrid model with both online and in-person components. The online phase allows participants to work from their home countries, while the in-person phase takes place in Sendai, Japan, at Tohoku University. This hybrid structure can enhance accessibility for international students by reducing the initial need for relocation, while still providing valuable in-person collaboration and access to university resources and networks. Other programs, like the Early Work Program, provide development funds and physical locations for student projects, indicating an in-person or hybrid approach. The availability of different program formats likely impacts student participation by offering flexibility and catering to diverse needs and locations.

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

Tohoku University's local incubators, such as the Startup Incubation Center and T-Biz, offer various educational support to foster entrepreneurial skills. They provide programs like the Business Incubation Program (BIP) to support the commercialization of research outcomes and the development of business models. Workshops and courses include the Entrepreneur Introductory Course, focusing on career design and social issues, and the Entrepreneur Challenge Course, a workshop for experiencing venture business creation through virtual markets. The Social Innovator Hub Incubation Program also offers lectures and workshops on understanding social issues and developing business ideas. Additionally, programs like Japan Biodesign Tohoku focus on specific areas like medical device innovation through project-based learning. The university also runs the "Early Work Program" to support student technology projects.

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 Tohoku 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 Tohoku 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