The EWOR Advantage: 5 Reasons Université Paris-Saclay Students Should Look Beyond Local Incubators

As a student at Université Paris-Saclay, 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 Université Paris-Saclay 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.

Université Paris-Saclay's local incubators offer valuable mentorship for early-stage entrepreneurs. This support is crucial for navigating the initial phases of launching a startup. Mentors, often experienced entrepreneurs or industry experts, provide guidance on various aspects, including business models, market analysis, and funding strategies. The value of local mentors lies in their understanding of the regional ecosystem and their ability to connect entrepreneurs with relevant networks. They offer practical insights and help refine ideas into viable businesses, increasing confidence and providing clear steps for development. This dedicated mentoring, alongside other resources like funding and workshops, helps transform innovative projects into promising startups.

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.

Université Paris-Saclay offers various funding opportunities for student startups through its local incubator network and dedicated programs. A key resource is the Paris-Saclay Seed Fund, an investment fund specifically for startups founded by students, young graduates, and researchers from the university and its member institutions. This fund provides equity financing, with potential investments ranging from €100,000 to €2 million in pre-seed and seed stages. Additionally, the university's innovation ecosystem, including organizations like SATT Paris-Saclay and IncubAlliance, supports technology transfer and business creation. Students can also access various grants and financial aid to support their studies and entrepreneurial projects. The university actively promotes entrepreneurship through specialized programs and collaborations with accelerators like the HEC Paris Startup Launchpad, which is open to Université Paris-Saclay students.

By choosing EWOR, Université Paris-Saclay 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. 

Université Paris-Saclay's local incubators are part of a strong network and community designed to foster student entrepreneurship and innovation. This ecosystem includes the Pépite PEIPS network, which connects 18 higher education institutions and various socio-economic players. Students benefit from dedicated support, resources, and guidance from initial idea to business creation. The incubator community facilitates connections through various means, such as networking events, workshops, and access to a directory of community members. There are also opportunities for students to connect with experienced professionals, researchers, and other entrepreneurs. This collaborative environment helps students develop their projects, gain practical experience, and build valuable relationships within the Paris-Saclay innovation cluster.

While local incubators at Université Paris-Saclay 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. 

Université Paris-Saclay has a network of six incubators and six Fab Labs to support innovation and entrepreneurship. These structures are part of a larger ecosystem that includes research organizations, industrial laboratories, and other support structures like accelerators and technology transfer offices. While the university has a digital platform to connect companies with research capabilities, the nature of the incubator programs appears to be primarily in-person or hybrid. Events like "Boost Your Entrepreneurial Spirit!" involve on-site workshops, visits to innovation hubs, and interactions with entrepreneurs and mentors. IncubAlliance, a key deeptech incubator, also organizes in-person events. This physical presence allows for hands-on development, access to specialized facilities like labs and prototyping spaces, and direct networking crucial for startups. This structure likely encourages deeper collaboration and provides access to resources that are difficult to replicate remotely, potentially impacting participation for students who are not physically located in the Paris-Saclay area.

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

Université Paris-Saclay's ecosystem, including its local incubators and the Pépite PEIPS network, offers comprehensive support for student entrepreneurship. This includes guidance from the initial idea through business creation. Students can access various resources such as workshops, courses, and learning modules designed to develop entrepreneurial skills. These cover topics like building a business model, market exploration, communication, finance, and pitching projects. Dedicated programs and facilities like fablabs and co-working spaces are also available. The university also offers specialized degrees and programs focused on entrepreneurship.

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 Université Paris-Saclay'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 Université Paris-Saclay 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