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

As a student at University of Alberta, 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 University of Alberta 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.

University of Alberta's local incubators, such as the ThresholdImpact Venture Mentoring Service (VMS) and the ICE Engineering Incubator, offer valuable mentorship opportunities for early-stage entrepreneurs. The VMS program connects students and alumni with local business leaders who provide coaching and guidance. This mentorship is crucial as it helps entrepreneurs navigate challenges, identify opportunities, and develop strategies. Local mentors bring relevant experience and a desire to contribute to the Edmonton economy. They offer practical advice, feedback on business models, and insights into market trends. This support is vital for early-stage ventures, helping founders build confidence and avoid common mistakes. The ICE Incubator also emphasizes mentorship, pairing teams with mentors to set goals and tackle problems.

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.

The University of Alberta offers various funding opportunities for student startups through its innovation ecosystem. The University of Alberta Innovation Fund is a key resource, investing in early-stage technology ventures with a connection to the university, including those led by students. This fund focuses on areas like AI, health, energy, and agriculture, providing initial and follow-on funding. Additionally, programs like the ICE Incubator offer mentorship, resources, and connections to funding entities to help students launch and scale ventures. While specific seed funding or grant amounts for individual student startups may vary, the university's commitment to fostering entrepreneurship is evident through these initiatives and connections to broader funding landscapes like Alberta Innovates programs.

By choosing EWOR, University of Alberta 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. 

The University of Alberta's local incubators, such as eHUB, ICE Engineering Incubator, and the Health Innovation Hub, cultivate a strong community to support student entrepreneurs. These spaces provide collaborative environments, mentorship from experienced professionals, and networking opportunities. Students from various disciplines can connect, share ideas, and work together on ventures. Initiatives like eCLUB and the Health Innovators' Meetup facilitate connections through events, workshops, and pitch competitions. This network helps students build relationships, gain practical skills, and access resources to develop their ideas into impactful ventures.

While local incubators at University of Alberta 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. 

The University of Alberta offers various incubators and innovation spaces, such as the ICE Incubator and the Health Innovation Hub. These initiatives aim to support students, researchers, staff, and alumni in developing their ventures. The structure of these programs often includes access to mentorship, resources, networking opportunities, and sometimes physical space like labs and offices. Accessibility is a key consideration, with efforts to create inclusive spaces and address potential barriers. Program delivery varies, with some events and sessions being hybrid, offering both in-person and virtual participation options. This hybrid approach can positively impact student participation by providing flexibility for those who may face constraints with in-person attendance, while still offering the benefits of face-to-face interaction and access to physical resources.

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

The University of Alberta's local incubators, such as eHUB and the ICE Engineering Incubator, offer various educational supports to foster entrepreneurial skills. These include experiential learning opportunities, mentorship, and access to expert advice and networks. Students can participate in workshops and courses designed to develop their entrepreneurial mindset and abilities. For instance, the Faculty of Engineering offers an intensive course on "Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship." eHUB provides interdisciplinary educational opportunities and supports student clubs focused on entrepreneurship. The university also offers courses like "Exploring Innovation and Entrepreneurship" and "Social Entrepreneurship" which cover entrepreneurial processes, venture creation, and navigating the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Additionally, resources like the Student Innovation Centre and the Library provide workshops and support for entrepreneurial research and project development.

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 University of Alberta'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 University of Alberta 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