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

As a student at University of Oslo, 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 Oslo 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 Oslo's local incubators, such as Insj and Oslo Cancer Cluster Incubator, offer valuable mentorship opportunities for early-stage entrepreneurs. Insj, a student-driven incubator, provides one-on-one mentoring from experienced mentors to help students develop their ideas and startups. The Oslo Cancer Cluster Incubator offers mentoring from their team, alongside access to a global network. Local mentors provide crucial support by sharing their experience and industry insights. They offer unbiased advice focused on the startup's growth and help navigate challenges. This guidance is vital for early-stage entrepreneurs who need to develop their proficiency and confidence in managing uncertainties and driving their projects forward. Additionally, these incubators connect entrepreneurs with a broader network of industry insiders, investors, and potential partners, which is essential for commercialization and 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.

The University of Oslo (UiO) offers several funding opportunities for student startups through its innovation ecosystem, primarily involving the UiO Growth House and the student incubator Insj. Students can apply for grants to support the early stages of their ventures, with up to 25,000 NOK available from Insj and the UiO Growth House. This funding is intended for development activities like building solutions or conducting market research, but does not cover salaries. Additionally, students can access funding through the Student Entrepreneurship Fund in Oslo (SEFiO), a collaboration between UiO and other Oslo-based institutions, also offering up to 25,000 NOK. The UiO Growth House also provides tailored guidance and can offer ongoing seed funding as part of this support.

By choosing EWOR, University of Oslo 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 Oslo's local incubators, such as UiO iHub and Insj, cultivate a strong community to help students connect and collaborate. UiO iHub serves as a central meeting place for innovative students from all faculties, fostering a low-threshold environment for those with entrepreneurial interests or existing companies. Insj, a student-driven incubator, provides guidance, structured mentoring, and events to help students develop their ideas and build networks with industry insiders. Programs like Co-Create further enhance collaboration by connecting students across different Oslo universities and fields of study to work on real-world challenges. These initiatives, supported by the UiO Growth House, aim to build networks, facilitate interaction with industry actors, and provide resources like funding and office space to accelerate student ventures.

While local incubators at University of Oslo 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 Oslo (UiO) supports student innovation through initiatives like UiO iHub, located at Oslo Science Park. This hub serves as a physical meeting place for students from all faculties to connect and collaborate on entrepreneurial ideas. UiO iHub is student-run with support from UiO Growth House. UiO's approach to learning, including in innovation programs, incorporates hybrid elements, combining in-person activities with online resources and tools. This hybrid model, utilizing platforms like Canvas, aims to enhance flexibility and engagement, potentially increasing accessibility for students who may benefit from remote participation options. Programs like Co-Create, an innovation program in collaboration with other institutions, and the Momentum internship program also contribute to the student innovation ecosystem. While UiO iHub provides a physical space, the integration of digital tools and hybrid learning strategies suggests a blended approach to accessibility and participation.

EWOR’s fully remote programmes are built for modern entrepreneurs – offering the flexibility to participate from anywhere, on your terms. University of Oslo 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 Oslo's local incubators, such as those involved with UiO Growth House and the Co-Create program, offer educational support to foster entrepreneurial skills. Co-Create, a student innovation program, provides workshops and lectures designed to equip students with the knowledge needed to launch a company. These learning opportunities cover areas like design thinking, pitching techniques, team selection, and funding options. Students can also earn a certificate in entrepreneurial knowledge by attending enough lectures. The university's Master of Science in Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management program also emphasizes developing entrepreneurial abilities through a combination of courses and practical experience.

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 Oslo'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 Oslo 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