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

As a student at University of Pennsylvania, 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania's local incubators, such as Pennovation Works and those supported by PCI Ventures, offer valuable mentorship opportunities for early-stage entrepreneurs. These programs connect startups with accomplished entrepreneurs and industry leaders, often through Mentor-in-Residence programs. Local mentors provide crucial support by offering advice on business strategy, market penetration, and fundraising. They also leverage their extensive networks to benefit the companies they mentor. This local expertise and network are vital for navigating the specific challenges and opportunities within the Philadelphia entrepreneurial ecosystem. Programs like the Pennovation Accelerator specifically pair each company with an experienced mentor. The value of these local mentors lies in their practical, hands-on experience and their ability to provide tailored guidance to help startups 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 Pennsylvania offers various funding opportunities for student startups through its incubators and programs. Venture Lab provides seed funding through its Innovation Fund, with awards starting at $250 and multiple application cycles per year. The M&T Innovation Fund, managed by students, offers seed-stage cash grants and venture development support, typically ranging from $4000 to $7000. Penn Engineering also has grant funding available, including the Berkman Opportunity Fund for early-stage ideas and the Miller Innovation Fellowships for more developed high-tech concepts. Additionally, programs like the President's Innovation Prize award significant funding to graduating seniors for innovative ventures. The university's network also connects students with potential angel investors and venture capital firms.

By choosing EWOR, University of Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania's local incubators, such as the Pennovation Center, cultivate a strong community to support student entrepreneurs. This network fosters connections through shared workspaces, events, and programs. Students benefit from access to mentors, industry experts, and a broad alumni network. Collaborative environments, like co-working areas and meeting spaces, encourage interaction and the exchange of ideas. The incubators also facilitate partnerships with local startups and businesses, providing students with real-world opportunities like internships and volunteering. This integrated approach helps students build valuable connections and collaborate on innovative ventures.

While local incubators at University of Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania offers various resources for student entrepreneurship, including incubators like the VIP (Venture Initiation Program) Incubator and spaces within Pennovation Works. The VIP Incubator is primarily an in-person program located at Tangen Hall, requiring on-site participation. However, it offers some virtual events for students not based in Philadelphia. Pennovation Works provides flexible in-person space options, including offices, labs, and coworking desks. This structure, while offering valuable in-person resources and networking opportunities, may limit participation for students who are not physically in Philadelphia. The inclusion of some virtual components in programs like the VIP Incubator attempts to address this, allowing wider engagement. Overall, the emphasis appears to be on providing a physical environment for collaboration and access to on-site resources.

EWOR’s fully remote programmes are built for modern entrepreneurs – offering the flexibility to participate from anywhere, on your terms. University of Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania's local incubators, such as Venture Lab and Pennovation Works, offer robust educational support for students developing entrepreneurial skills. Venture Lab provides workshops and events open to all Penn students, including their flagship Venture Initiation Program (VIP) which covers ideation, validation, fundraising, and more. They also offer the intense VIP-X accelerator program and a Visiting Experts program for one-on-one mentorship. Pennovation Works, in collaboration with PCI Ventures, hosts educational sessions and provides mentor matching and office hours with commercialization experts. Both entities offer networking opportunities and resources to help students build and grow their 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 Pennsylvania'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 Pennsylvania 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