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

As a student at University of Amsterdam, 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 Amsterdam 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 Amsterdam's local incubators, such as ACE Incubator and Amsterdam Law Hub, offer valuable mentorship opportunities for early-stage entrepreneurs. These incubators connect startups with experienced local mentors, including industry leaders, business professionals, investors, and successful entrepreneurs. This local network provides tailored advice on crucial business development aspects, helping founders navigate challenges and translate their ideas into viable companies. The value of local mentors lies in their understanding of the specific Amsterdam ecosystem, providing relevant connections and insights for navigating the Dutch market. They support early-stage entrepreneurs through training, coaching, workshops, and access to a broad support network, including alumni mentors. This guidance is essential for refining business models, developing strategies, and accessing funding and resources.

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 Amsterdam (UvA) offers various funding opportunities for student startups through its local incubators and affiliated programs. The Amsterdam Academic Angel Fund (3xA Fund), supported by UvA and VU, provides an initial investment of €10,000 and convertible loans for very early-stage student and young alumni initiatives. The Amsterdam Law Hub's Start-up Fund offers €2,500 financing and mentoring for projects addressing justice or legal problems. Additionally, the Amsterdam Student Investment Fund (ASIF), affiliated with UvA and VU, supports and invests in student-led startups in the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area, providing early-stage funding of up to €40,000 through convertible loan agreements. ACE Incubator also supports students and researchers with training, coaching, and access to networks.

By choosing EWOR, University of Amsterdam 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. 

University of Amsterdam's local incubators, such as ACE Incubator and the Amsterdam Law Hub Incubator Programme, cultivate vibrant communities to support student entrepreneurs. ACE Incubator, for instance, offers a lively community of startup founders and seasoned entrepreneurs, hosting regular events for knowledge sharing and networking. They provide introductions to an extensive network of industry leaders, business professionals, investors, and service providers. The Amsterdam Law Hub Incubator Programme also connects students with a network of mentors. Additionally, platforms like Startup And Running facilitate connections between students and mentors, entrepreneurs, and potential co-founders. These networks and communities help students build crucial connections and foster collaboration.

While local incubators at University of Amsterdam 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 Amsterdam (UvA) offers local incubators like ACE Incubator and the Amsterdam Law Hub Incubator Programme to support student entrepreneurship. ACE Incubator, a collaboration with other Amsterdam institutions, assists students, researchers, and professionals in developing tech and science-based ideas. The Law Hub focuses on legal innovation startups and NGOs. These incubators provide various services including training, coaching, mentorship, networking opportunities, and sometimes even initial funding. While some activities may be offered in a hybrid or virtual setting, the incubators also emphasize in-person interaction and community building, often being located in dedicated spaces like Startup Village. This blend of in-person and potentially hybrid elements likely impacts student participation by offering flexibility while still providing the benefits of physical co-working and direct networking.

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

University of Amsterdam's (UvA) local incubators, such as ACE Incubator and the Amsterdam Law Hub, offer various educational support to foster entrepreneurial skills. ACE Incubator provides training, coaching, interactive lectures, and workshops covering all stages of starting and scaling a business. They help students translate innovative ideas into successful companies and offer access to a network of mentors and professionals. The Amsterdam Law Hub focuses on legal innovation, providing mentoring, skill-building, training from experts, and masterclasses for startups addressing legal or justice problems. UvA also offers a Minor in Entrepreneurship, a semester-long program where students build their own venture through expert coaching, workshops, and events, gaining both practical and theoretical knowledge. Additionally, UvA provides courses like "The Startup Class" which introduce students to the lifecycle of a new venture through case discussions, guest speakers, and mentored workshops.

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 Amsterdam'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 Amsterdam 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