The EWOR Advantage: 5 Reasons University of New South Wales Students Should Look Beyond Local Incubators

As a student at University of New South Wales, 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 New South Wales 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.

UNSW's local incubators, such as those within the UNSW Founders program, offer valuable mentorship opportunities for early-stage entrepreneurs. These programs connect startups with experienced industry professionals and successful founders from the local ecosystem. The value of these local mentors lies in their understanding of the specific challenges and opportunities within the Australian market. They provide relevant insights, advice, and access to their established networks, which can be crucial for navigating the local business landscape, finding investors, and connecting with potential customers. Mentors offer objective advice, helping entrepreneurs refine their business models and strategies. This guidance, combined with access to local connections, helps early-stage ventures build capabilities, gain confidence, and accelerate their growth.

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.

UNSW offers various funding opportunities for student startups through its local incubators and programs like UNSW Founders. The UNSW Founders program supports students, staff, and alumni in developing their ideas into startups, providing services such as finding co-founders, validating business models, and connecting with networks. Seed funding is available, notably through programs like the 10x Accelerators (including streams for All Industries, Health, Defence, and Climate), which provide seed funding as a Simple Agreement for Future Equity (SAFE) and intensive support. For example, the Climate 10x program has offered significant seed funding to participating startups. Additionally, the UNSW MVP Grant Fund has provided seed funding to student ventures. Post-graduate students undertaking the Graduate Diploma in Entrepreneurship may also be eligible for the UNSW Startup Year Grant. Arc UNSW Student Life also offers grants, including a New Club Startup Grant.

By choosing EWOR, University of New South Wales 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. 

UNSW's local incubators, such as UNSW Founders and the Engineering Innovation Hub, cultivate a strong community to help students build connections and collaborate. These initiatives provide a network of mentors, industry experts, and fellow entrepreneurs. Through programs, workshops, and events like pitch nights and showcases, students connect with peers, gain valuable advice, and find potential collaborators. The focus on collaboration is central, with spaces and programs designed to bring together students, staff, alumni, and external partners to develop and scale ideas. This ecosystem fosters a supportive environment for students at various stages of their entrepreneurial journey.

While local incubators at University of New South Wales 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. 

UNSW supports innovation through programs like UNSW Founders. While specific details on the structure and accessibility of all local incubators aren't readily available, Australian incubators often provide flexible office space, shared resources, business advice, and networking opportunities. UNSW utilizes a hybrid learning model, combining online and face-to-face activities to offer flexibility. This approach could extend to incubator programs, potentially increasing student participation by accommodating different schedules and locations. However, hybrid models can present challenges like technical issues and maintaining social presence.

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

UNSW offers extensive educational support for aspiring entrepreneurs through its UNSW Founders program and facilities like the Michael Crouch Innovation Centre (MCIC). They provide workshops and courses designed to build entrepreneurial skills, covering areas like problem identification, creative problem solving, prototyping, and validation. Students can access self-paced online modules and participate in action learning workshops. The university also offers a Graduate Diploma in Entrepreneurship, a year-long incubator program for developing and launching startups. This comprehensive support system aims to help students transform ideas into viable businesses.

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 New South Wales'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 New South Wales 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