The EWOR Advantage: 5 Reasons Universidade de São Paulo Students Should Look Beyond Local Incubators

As a student at Universidade de São Paulo, 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 Universidade de São Paulo 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.

Universidade de São Paulo (USP) local incubators provide valuable mentorship opportunities for early-stage entrepreneurs. These incubators, such as Cietec and Supera, aim to accelerate the development of startups by offering knowledge and infrastructure. Local mentors, often professors and experienced professionals, play a crucial role by providing guidance, sharing industry expertise, and offering networking opportunities. This local connection helps entrepreneurs navigate the specific challenges and nuances of the Brazilian market and ecosystem. The mentorship covers various aspects, including business planning, market access, and strategic development, which is essential for transforming ideas into viable businesses.

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.

Universidade de São Paulo (USP) fosters entrepreneurship through various initiatives, including local incubators and funding opportunities for student startups. The USP Innovation Agency (Auspin) plays a key role in promoting innovation and entrepreneurship within the university. Programs like InovaGrad provide scholarships to undergraduate students to develop their projects, which can evolve into startups. USP also hosts incubators and technology parks, such as Cietec and Supera, offering infrastructure and support to help transform ideas into products and businesses. While specific seed funding amounts can vary, USP's commitment to supporting student ventures is evident through these programs and resources. Additionally, collaborative initiatives like the Imperial-USP Strategic Partnership Fund offer seed funding for joint research projects with potential for broader impact and external funding.

By choosing EWOR, Universidade de São Paulo 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. 

Universidade de São Paulo (USP) has a network of incubators and initiatives aimed at fostering entrepreneurship among its students and the wider community. These incubators provide a supportive environment for students to develop their business ideas and connect with relevant resources. They offer services such as mentorship, workshops, and access to funding and investors. The incubator community at USP helps students build connections and collaborate through various means. This includes providing shared workspaces, facilitating interactions with industry professionals and mentors, and organizing events like lectures, debates, and hackathons. These activities encourage knowledge sharing, teamwork, and the creation of a supportive ecosystem for aspiring student entrepreneurs. The goal is to shorten the path from initial idea to successful enterprise by providing necessary support and networking opportunities.

While local incubators at Universidade de São Paulo 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. 

Universidade de São Paulo (USP) plays a significant role in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, acting as a hub for innovation with various initiatives including incubators. These incubators provide support such as infrastructure, technical and management training, and access to networks and funding sources to help develop innovative ideas into successful companies. While the exact format (in-person, remote, or hybrid) of all USP's local incubator programs isn't explicitly detailed, university incubators traditionally offer physical space and resources, suggesting an in-person component. However, the shift towards hybrid models in incubation programs has been noted, which can increase accessibility for students located further away. The impact on student participation can be significant; hybrid or remote options could potentially allow more students to participate regardless of their location or schedule, fostering a more diverse and larger pool of entrepreneurial ventures. Despite the presence of incubators, attracting a high number of student-led spin-offs has been a challenge for some university incubators in Brazil.

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

Universidade de São Paulo (USP) local incubators, such as CIETEC and Supera Parque, provide significant educational support to foster entrepreneurial skills. These incubators offer a range of programs, including consultancy, training, and networking opportunities. For instance, Supera Parque's incubator provides structured modules with weekly meetings to help entrepreneurs validate market demand and their products/services. They also offer customized methodologies for startups seeking sales traction and scaling. CIETEC supports companies in areas like technology, business, and fundraising. Beyond formal programs, USP promotes entrepreneurship through various initiatives like hackathons, which encourage students to develop technological solutions. The university also integrates entrepreneurship into its curriculum with disciplines covering financial management, marketing, and innovation. Some incubators, like the USP Technological Incubator of Popular Cooperatives, focus on continuing education for self-management and market integration, often using methodologies based on popular education.

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 Universidade de São Paulo'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 Universidade de São Paulo 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