The EWOR Advantage: 5 Reasons Trinity College Dublin Students Should Look Beyond Local Incubators

As a student at Trinity College Dublin, 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 Trinity College Dublin 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.

Trinity College Dublin's local incubators, primarily through Tangent, Trinity's Ideas Workspace, offer significant mentorship opportunities for early-stage entrepreneurs. Tangent provides access to a comprehensive network of experienced entrepreneurs and industry leaders who volunteer their time and expertise. This network, known as Tangent Experts, supports students and their startups with crucial advice. Local mentors are invaluable as they understand the specific challenges and opportunities within the Dublin ecosystem. They provide practical guidance, industry-specific knowledge, and connections to local networks, helping entrepreneurs navigate the early stages of building a business. Programs like LaunchBox, Trinity's student accelerator, integrate expert mentorship to guide students in developing their ventures. This local support is a key element in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship within the university and the wider community.

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.

Trinity College Dublin offers various funding opportunities for student startups through its local incubators and entrepreneurship initiatives. Tangent, Trinity's Ideas Workspace, plays a key role in this ecosystem. One notable program is LaunchBox, a student accelerator that provides mentorship, access to investors, and funding. For example, in 2021, teams participating in LaunchBox received €10k in funding. Additionally, the Trinity Entrepreneurship Center offers a range of grants, including Microgrants for early-stage expenses, Pre-Seed Grants for ventures with established direction, and Seed Grants up to $10,000 for later-stage startups with proven market fit to support "Go To Market" plans. These grants are designed to help students at different stages of their entrepreneurial journey. Trinity also partners with external organizations like The Liffey Trust, which provides scholarships for student entrepreneurs.

By choosing EWOR, Trinity College Dublin 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. 

Trinity College Dublin's local incubators, like Tangent and LaunchBox, cultivate a strong entrepreneurial community. This ecosystem includes students, faculty, alumni, and industry partners. They provide platforms and programs designed to connect like-minded innovators and facilitate collaboration. Students benefit from networking opportunities, mentorship from experts, and peer-to-peer support. Initiatives like the Open Incubator and various challenges encourage students to work together on developing ideas and solutions. This collaborative environment helps students build valuable connections and gain practical experience in turning their ideas into ventures.

While local incubators at Trinity College Dublin 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. 

Trinity College Dublin offers various entrepreneurship supports, including incubators and accelerators like LaunchBox and the Open Incubator. These programs aim to help students develop business ideas. The Open Incubator, in particular, is designed as a national platform for student entrepreneurship across Ireland, emphasizing scalability and accessibility through technology. While some programs may have in-person components, such as dedicated incubator space in the Business School, many initiatives leverage a blended or remote-first structure to enhance accessibility for students across Ireland. This hybrid approach, utilizing online platforms and resources, allows students to participate and develop their ventures regardless of their location, fostering a wider reach and greater student involvement.

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

Trinity College Dublin's local incubators, primarily through Tangent, Trinity's Ideas Workspace, offer robust educational support for aspiring student entrepreneurs. Tangent provides extensive resources and structured programs aimed at fostering innovation and entrepreneurial development. Students can access a range of workshops, courses, and learning modules. These include undergraduate and postgraduate certificate programs in innovation and entrepreneurship, some delivered in collaboration with external partners. Tangent also offers masterclasses, summer schools, bootcamps, and interactive lessons focused on areas like creative problem-solving, lean methodologies, and design thinking. Programs like LaunchBox, a student accelerator, provide mentorship, funding, and networking opportunities. Additionally, initiatives like the Innovation Challenge and Open Incubator encourage students to develop ideas and engage with the innovation ecosystem.

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 Trinity College Dublin'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 Trinity College Dublin 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