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

As a student at UCL , 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 UCL 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.

UCL's local incubators, such as the Hatchery, provide valuable mentorship opportunities for early-stage entrepreneurs. These programs connect founders with experienced individuals, including industry experts, academics, and seasoned entrepreneurs. Local mentors offer personalized guidance, sharing their knowledge, skills, and real-world business experience. This support is crucial for navigating the challenges of starting a business, helping entrepreneurs avoid common mistakes and make informed decisions. Mentors act as a sounding board, provide problem-solving insights, and help develop effective strategies for product development, business growth, and securing funding. The value of these local connections lies in their ability to offer tailored advice and leverage their networks to support the startups' development and success within the local ecosystem.

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.

UCL offers various funding opportunities for student startups through its local incubators and entrepreneurship support programs. The Hatchery, UCL's equity-free incubator, provides resources, expertise, and connections to help startups grow, including support in securing funding. UCL Innovation & Enterprise also provides entrepreneurship skills training and support. UCL Entrepreneurs, a student society, has an in-house VC Fund that offers equity-free seed capital to help students develop their ideas into working products. Applications for this fund are open year-round. Additionally, UCL students and recent graduates can apply for small grants to help with initial business setup costs like registration. UCL also highlights external competitions that offer significant seed funding and investment opportunities for startups.

By choosing EWOR, UCL 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. 

UCL's local incubators foster a strong community to help students build connections and collaborate. Programmes like the Hatchery provide a rich entrepreneurial environment with resources, expertise, and connections. Students can meet like-minded individuals and share ideas through various networks, societies, and events. Entrepreneurship-focused societies and networks like the Diverse Founders' Network offer tangible support and networking opportunities for students, staff, and alumni. UCL also facilitates connections with mentors, investors, and industry experts through workshops and events. This ecosystem encourages collaboration and helps students develop their ideas into viable businesses.

While local incubators at UCL 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. 

UCL's primary incubator, the Hatchery, is located at BaseKX in King's Cross, London, providing a physical space with hot desks and facilities for startups. It's a 2-year program for UCL students and graduates. The program structure is a hybrid model. The initial 10 weeks involve compulsory sessions, with one in-person workshop weekly and two virtual sessions. Following this, teams are expected to be on-site at BaseKX at least 4 days per month, while also receiving continuous support including workshops, advice, and networking opportunities. This hybrid approach balances the benefits of a physical co-working space and in-person interaction with the flexibility of remote sessions. The requirement for regular on-site presence encourages community building and access to resources, while virtual components can offer flexibility for students. Accessibility to the physical space requires a UCL ID card.

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

UCL's local incubators, such as The Hatchery at BaseKX, offer significant educational support for aspiring entrepreneurs. This includes a range of workshops, courses, and learning modules designed to develop entrepreneurial skills. The Hatchery, a two-year program, provides tailored support, including regular workshops and one-on-one sessions with experienced advisors and mentors. UCL Innovation & Enterprise provides training and support for students, staff, and recent graduates to boost employability and help launch ventures. This encompasses introductory workshops, masterclasses, and practical programs to test ideas and learn about setting up a business. Specific programs like the six-week "Explore" program help students develop a business idea and pitch it. There are also programs like SPERO specifically for PhD students to develop entrepreneurial thinking.

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 UCL '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 UCL 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