The EWOR Advantage: 5 Reasons University of California, San Diego Students Should Look Beyond Local Incubators

As a student at University of California, San Diego, 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 California, San Diego 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.

UC San Diego's local incubators offer valuable mentorship opportunities for early-stage entrepreneurs. Programs like The Basement and the Policy and Strategy Entrepreneurship Lab (PSE-Lab) Venture Program connect founders with experienced local industry leaders and successful entrepreneurs. These mentors provide crucial guidance on navigating the challenges of starting a business, refining business models, and making progress amidst uncertainty. The value of local mentors lies in their understanding of the regional ecosystem, providing relevant connections to investors and industry partners. This support helps early-stage companies validate their ideas, gain market traction, and build a strong network within the San Diego startup community.

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.

UC San Diego offers various funding opportunities for student startups through its local incubators and programs. The Basement, a key incubator, provides resources, mentorship, and potential seed funding for student teams. The Basement Program has different tracks that may offer funding awards ranging from $500 to $2,000. Students must apply to these programs to be eligible for seed funding. Additionally, the Rady School of Management's StartR program, a non-profit accelerator, also supports student startups and connects them with funding opportunities. The university also has connections to the Rady Venture Fund and Triton Fund, which can provide access to investors and grants for startups.

By choosing EWOR, University of California, San Diego 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. 

UC San Diego's local incubators, such as The Basement and the Triton Startup Incubator, cultivate a strong network and community for students. These spaces provide a collaborative environment where student innovators can connect and work together. They offer resources, mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs and alumni, and programming to help students develop their business ideas and navigate the startup process. The incubators facilitate connections with investors, industry experts, and the broader San Diego entrepreneurial ecosystem. This interconnected community fosters experiential learning and provides crucial support for students launching ventures.

While local incubators at University of California, San Diego 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. 

UC San Diego offers several resources for student entrepreneurship, including incubators like The Basement and the Triton Startup Incubator, located in the Design & Innovation Building. The Basement provides co-working space and programming to support student ventures. The Triton Startup Incubator offers dedicated co-working spaces and connects startups with resources like mentors, investors, and legal support. While the university has a physical presence for these incubators, the format of programs can vary. The Basement hosts in-depth programs, and the Design Lab, also in the Design & Innovation Building, integrates design education and research with community needs. The accessibility of programs can be influenced by whether they are in-person, remote, or hybrid, with the university having utilized remote instruction in the past. In-person spaces offer 24/7 access for eligible students, fostering collaboration and providing access to equipment. The availability of both physical and potentially remote or hybrid elements impacts how students can participate based on their location and schedule.

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

UC San Diego's local incubators, such as The Basement and the Triton Startup Incubator, offer educational support to help students develop entrepreneurial skills. The Basement provides resources, workspace, mentorship, and programming specifically for student entrepreneurs. The Triton Startup Incubator offers tailored support, including introductions to community resources like management, investment, and legal support. Both incubators provide experiential learning opportunities and connect students with entrepreneurial networks. UC San Diego also offers courses like "Essentials of Entrepreneurship, Innovation, & Design" through Extended Studies, covering topics such as design thinking, business modeling, customer discovery, and financing. These programs aim to educate students in the startup process, from idea generation to pitching ventures.

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 California, San Diego'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 California, San Diego 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