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

As a student at University of Glasgow, 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 Glasgow 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 Glasgow's local incubators offer valuable mentorship opportunities for early-stage entrepreneurs. These programs connect startups with experienced professionals and business leaders from the local ecosystem. The value of these local mentors lies in their understanding of the specific challenges and opportunities within the Glasgow business environment. They provide tailored advice, share their expertise, and offer practical guidance on various aspects of starting and growing a business, including business planning, funding, legal matters, and networking. This local support helps entrepreneurs build a solid foundation, navigate the initial stages of their ventures, and increase their prospects of success.

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 Glasgow supports student startups through various initiatives and access to funding opportunities. The Enterprise Space at the University provides a hub for entrepreneurial students and graduates, offering access to a collaborative workspace, business advice, coaching, workshops, and connections to funding and wider networks. While the university itself may not directly provide extensive seed funding, it helps students source funding and connect with investors. There are also programs like the "startup factory" where students can pitch ideas for a chance to win startup funding. Additionally, the university facilitates access to external grants and funding bodies such as Scottish Enterprise grants and other regional and national programs. Glasgow Venture Labs, a student-led initiative, is also working to provide equity-free funding to accelerate student startup development.

By choosing EWOR, University of Glasgow 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 Glasgow provides a supportive environment for student entrepreneurs through its local incubators and enterprise initiatives. The Enterprise Space, located in the Advanced Research Centre, serves as a hub for students and alumni to connect, develop skills, and collaborate on ventures. These incubators offer a collaborative workspace, business advice, coaching, workshops, and networking opportunities. The university's focus on enterprise helps students build connections by providing access to wider networks and experienced entrepreneurs. Programs like IGNITE specifically aim to help participants build their network and increase networking opportunities. The university also facilitates connections with external professional advisers and support networks. This community-focused approach helps students turn their ideas into reality through peer support and expert guidance.

While local incubators at University of Glasgow 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 Glasgow offers entrepreneurial support through "The Enterprise Space," located in the Advanced Research Centre. This hub provides students and graduates with resources like collaborative workspace, business advice, coaching, workshops, funding opportunities, and networking. While the Enterprise Space offers a physical location, the university also utilizes hybrid and remote approaches for other student opportunities, such as internships and part-time jobs, to enhance accessibility. This blend of in-person and remote options likely increases student participation by accommodating different needs and locations.

EWOR’s fully remote programmes are built for modern entrepreneurs – offering the flexibility to participate from anywhere, on your terms. University of Glasgow 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 Glasgow offers educational support for entrepreneurial students through various initiatives. The Enterprise Space provides a hub with fully funded access to collaborative workspace, business advice, coaching, and workshops. Student Enterprise delivers practical workshops and events throughout the year, including a flagship Startup Summer Programme, covering all aspects of becoming a successful entrepreneur. They aim to help students develop entrepreneurial skills and connect with the startup ecosystem. The university also supports programs like IGNITE, which explores the basics of entrepreneurship through coaching, mentorship, and peer-to-peer support. These resources help students at every stage of their entrepreneurial journey, from testing ideas to launch and investment.

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 Glasgow'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 Glasgow 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