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

As a student at University of Leeds, 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 Leeds 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 Leeds incubators, such as Spark and those at Nexus, offer valuable mentorship for early-stage entrepreneurs. Spark provides one-to-one mentoring as part of its comprehensive support for students and recent graduates. Nexus, the university's innovation hub, utilizes a team mentoring approach based on the MIT Venture Mentoring Service model, connecting founders with a network of experienced individuals including alumni, investors, and seasoned entrepreneurs. This local network provides diverse expertise and guidance to help startups refine ideas, develop growth plans, and navigate challenges, contributing to the regional economy. Local mentors offer practical, context-specific advice and connections within the Leeds business ecosystem.

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 Leeds offers various funding opportunities for student startups through its local incubators and enterprise programmes. Spark, the university's business start-up service, provides support and access to resources, including a discretionary Proof of Concept fund for eligible students. The Enterprise Scholarship scheme offers a substantial grant, training, mentorship, and access to co-working spaces within the Spark Business Incubator located in Nexus. Additionally, students may be eligible for growth grants through the Leeds City Region Ad:Venture programme. Other potential sources of funding include the annual Business Plan competition and the Santander Development Grant. Leeds Beckett University also has a Business Lab and a seed fund for student and graduate startups.

By choosing EWOR, University of Leeds 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 Leeds fosters a strong entrepreneurial community through initiatives like Spark and Nexus. Spark, the business start-up service, provides students and graduates with advice, workshops, mentoring, networking events, and office space. Nexus, the university's innovation hub, connects a community of member businesses, facilitating collaboration and growth. The university also engages with local businesses and alumni through programs like the Enterprise Ambassador initiative, offering students placements and networking opportunities. This integrated network helps students build connections, gain practical experience, and develop their business ideas with support from experienced mentors and the wider business community.

While local incubators at University of Leeds 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 Leeds offers enterprise support through "Spark," an award-winning business advice service available to students and graduates. Spark provides resources like one-to-one business advice, mentoring, and workshops. These workshops are offered in both in-person and online formats, indicating a hybrid approach to accessibility. This flexibility allows students to participate regardless of their location or schedule, potentially increasing overall student engagement with the programs. Additionally, the university has initiatives like the Year in Enterprise program, offering students dedicated time and resources, including office space, to develop their businesses. The university also has physical spaces like the Innovation Commons hub and a dedicated incubator space at Nexus, fostering collaboration and providing access to expertise. The hybrid delivery of workshops and the provision of physical spaces cater to different student needs and learning preferences.

EWOR’s fully remote programmes are built for modern entrepreneurs – offering the flexibility to participate from anywhere, on your terms. University of Leeds 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 Leeds offers significant educational support for entrepreneurial students through its Spark program and Nexus innovation hub. Spark provides one-to-one consultations, free workshops, and access to business plan competitions and scholarships. These workshops cover topics like business planning, marketing, legal advice, and website design, available both in-person and online. Nexus offers incubator space and connects entrepreneurs with mentors, investors, and business advisers. The university also embeds enterprise education within the curriculum and offers postgraduate degrees like the MSc Enterprise and Entrepreneurship, focusing on developing practical skills for launching and managing new 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 Leeds'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 Leeds 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