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

As a student at University of Birmingham, 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 Birmingham 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 Birmingham's local incubators, such as UoB Elevate, offer valuable mentorship opportunities for early-stage entrepreneurs. These programs connect student and graduate startups with experienced alumni and local business professionals. Local mentors provide crucial guidance, industry insights, and strategic advice tailored to the specific needs of new ventures. This support helps entrepreneurs refine business ideas, develop sustainable models, navigate challenges, and build essential networks within the local ecosystem. The value of local mentors lies in their understanding of the regional market and their ability to facilitate connections with investors, partners, and other businesses, contributing to the growth and success of startups and regional economic development.

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 Birmingham offers several funding opportunities for student startups through its B-Enterprising service and associated programs. The Start-Up Fund provides up to £500 to reimburse registered student or recent graduate businesses for incurred costs like website creation, marketing, and registration fees. There is also an Ideas Fund offering £500 for students to explore business ideas before registering a business. Additionally, the BSEEN (Birmingham Skills for Enterprise and Employability Network) program, a collaboration with other local universities, provides a comprehensive support package including a business grant, mentoring, and co-working space. The UoB Elevate incubator also offers Start-Up Scholarships which provide funding and connects students and graduates with alumni expertise.

By choosing EWOR, University of Birmingham 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 Birmingham's local incubators, such as UoB Elevate and those at Birmingham Research Park, foster a strong network and community for students and graduates. These spaces provide dedicated support, including mentoring from business experts and access to professional networks. Programs like UoB Elevate at The Exchange specifically aim to create wide-ranging business connections and support regional economic development. Incubators offer co-working spaces and networking facilities, encouraging interaction and collaboration among budding entrepreneurs and established businesses. This environment helps students build connections, share ideas, and gain practical guidance to launch and grow their ventures.

While local incubators at University of Birmingham 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. 

University of Birmingham offers local incubators like UoB Elevate, located at The Exchange, which supports student and graduate ventures. These incubators primarily provide physical workspaces, facilities, and equipment, along with mentoring, training, and networking opportunities. While incubators traditionally offer in-person support, the university also utilizes hybrid models, particularly in teaching spaces, to accommodate students who cannot be on campus. The B-Experienced Internship Programme, for example, offers a mix of in-person, hybrid, and remote internships. This hybrid approach enhances accessibility for a wider range of students, including international students or those with other commitments, allowing for greater participation regardless of location.

EWOR’s fully remote programmes are built for modern entrepreneurs – offering the flexibility to participate from anywhere, on your terms. University of Birmingham 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 Birmingham's local incubators, such as UoB Elevate and potentially the STEAMhouse Pre-Incubator (associated with Birmingham City University but supporting students/graduates), offer educational support to foster entrepreneurial skills. This includes workshops, events, mentoring, and business planning assistance. Specific learning opportunities highlighted include: * Workshops and training sessions on various business functions. * Modules like "Learning Entrepreneurial Skills," which involve developing business plans and pitching. * Modules focusing on small business and entrepreneurship, covering theories, analysis, and strategic implications. * Programs exploring the commercial potential of research, providing business skills and knowledge. * Sessions on topics such as building a team, customer discovery, business model canvas, sales and marketing, legal aspects, accounting and finance, and fundraising. * Support in refining business ideas, creating sustainable business models, and navigating the startup journey through coaching and mentoring.

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 Birmingham'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 Birmingham 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