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

As a student at University of Helsinki, 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 Helsinki 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 Helsinki's local incubators, such as Helsinki Think Company and Health Incubator Helsinki, offer valuable mentorship to early-stage entrepreneurs. They provide access to a network of experienced business professionals, including founders, investors, and subject-matter experts. These local mentors offer tailored support, helping startups navigate challenges, develop business models, and make crucial connections within the Helsinki ecosystem. This guidance is vital for early-stage companies, providing practical advice and industry-specific knowledge to help them grow and succeed.

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 Helsinki offers various funding opportunities for student startups through its local incubators and programs. A key initiative is HELSEED, an entrepreneurship program specifically for students with new business ideas or existing startups. HELSEED provides workshops and the opportunity to receive initial investments from the University of Helsinki Funds, ranging from €10,000 to €50,000 for promising startups. The university's incubators, like the Helsinki Education Hub Incubator, also support early-stage teams, including students, with mentoring, business development, and connections to potential funding and international accelerators. These programs aim to help students develop their ideas into viable businesses and attract further investment.

By choosing EWOR, University of Helsinki 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 Helsinki's incubators foster a vibrant community that significantly aids students in building connections and collaborating. Helsinki Think Company, the university's entrepreneurial community, provides a multidisciplinary platform with co-working spaces across campuses. They offer low-threshold events, mentoring, workshops, and sparring sessions. The incubator programs are open to all university community members, providing tailored support and helping individuals and groups develop their business ideas. Students can connect with like-minded people, professionals, and mentors. The incubators also connect participants with a network of business professionals and investors. Collaborations extend to external partners like the City of Helsinki and other universities, creating a broader ecosystem for innovation and networking. Events like showcases further facilitate connections within the startup community.

While local incubators at University of Helsinki 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 Helsinki's incubators, part of the Campus Incubators Programme, offer a hybrid structure combining in-person and remote elements. This includes in-person and hybrid workshops, alongside remote lectures and online sessions. This hybrid approach enhances accessibility, allowing wider student participation regardless of location or scheduling constraints. Some programs, like the Helsinki Education Hub Edtech Incubator, are based at specific campuses but utilize online access via platforms like Microsoft Teams. The Health Incubator Helsinki also offers physical office and co-working space. This flexibility supports diverse student needs and promotes a vibrant entrepreneurial community.

EWOR’s fully remote programmes are built for modern entrepreneurs – offering the flexibility to participate from anywhere, on your terms. University of Helsinki 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 Helsinki's incubators, like Helsinki Incubators and Helsinki Education Hub, offer various programs and services to foster entrepreneurial skills. These include pre-incubator and incubator programs designed to help students develop business ideas. Helsinki Incubators provides expert-led workshops to help participants identify strengths and develop work-life skills. The Helsinki Education Hub offers a 12-week program with a structured curriculum, including workshops on pedagogical development, financial planning, and storytelling. Additionally, programs like HELSEED provide workshops focused on clarifying ideas into fundable concepts. These initiatives aim to support students from the initial idea stage through developing a business plan and beyond.

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 Helsinki'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 Helsinki 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