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

As a student at University of Sheffield, 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 Sheffield 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.

The University of Sheffield's local incubators provide valuable mentorship opportunities for early-stage entrepreneurs. These programs connect aspiring business owners with experienced local mentors who offer guidance and support. This mentorship is crucial for navigating the challenges of starting a business, providing real-world advice and industry expertise. Local mentors contribute to a supportive ecosystem, helping entrepreneurs develop their ideas, build networks, and access resources. The value of these local connections lies in their understanding of the regional business landscape and ability to provide tailored support for growth and success.

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 Sheffield offers various funding opportunities for student startups through its enterprise initiatives. The Emerge program, for example, recently awarded a total prize pool of £14,000 to promising student ventures across different development stages, including a "Conceptual Idea" category with £1,000 prizes. The University also provides grants and support for students looking to start projects or businesses, encouraging them to inquire about available funding and application processes. Additionally, the University is an active pre-seed investor in spinouts, committing approximately £1.5 million annually to support founders and de-risk their companies. Collaborations with organizations like Northern Gritstone and initiatives like the Sheffield Technology Parks also contribute to providing incubation space and support for university spinouts and science-based businesses.

By choosing EWOR, University of Sheffield 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 Sheffield's local incubators foster a strong network and community to support student entrepreneurship. Initiatives like the Emerge: Be Enterprising program actively build a welcoming community for students, staff, and graduates interested in enterprise. They offer workshops, events with guest speakers, and one-to-one support to help students develop ideas and ventures. Collaboration is key, with the university connecting students to a wider entrepreneurial ecosystem through partnerships with organizations like Sheffield Technology Parks and the South Yorkshire Incubator & Accelerator Network (SYIAN). SYIAN, for instance, facilitates connections between practitioners, program leads, and even offers a co-founder platform. The "Sheffield Spine" initiative further links the university with other key partners to create a collaborative innovation area. While a former Bioincubator building is now used for teaching, the university continues to support student startups and integrate them into the regional business community.

While local incubators at University of Sheffield 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 Sheffield supports student entrepreneurship through programs like Emerge, offering workshops, talks, and one-to-one support. While specific details on the structure and accessibility of all local incubators aren't explicitly stated as a collective, the university is committed to accessibility across its buildings and services, working to improve both new and older structures. University incubators typically provide resources like office space, mentorship, and networking opportunities, and can be either virtual or rely on a physical space to foster community. The University of Sheffield offers hybrid and remote work options in some areas, suggesting a potential for flexibility in their entrepreneurial support programs. This hybrid approach can increase student participation by offering flexibility for those with other commitments or who are not always on campus.

EWOR’s fully remote programmes are built for modern entrepreneurs – offering the flexibility to participate from anywhere, on your terms. University of Sheffield 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 Sheffield offers educational support for entrepreneurial skill development through its Enterprise team and programs like "Emerge: Be Enterprising". They provide workshops covering topics such as developing entrepreneurial skills, creating an MVP, understanding customer needs, commercial acumen, building a pitch deck, and launching a business. These sessions are designed to be interactive and are led by experts. The university also hosts events like the "Business Idea Bootcamp" and "Founder Stories" to provide further learning and networking opportunities. Additionally, they offer one-on-one business advice and support for students, staff, and graduates looking to develop business ideas.

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 Sheffield'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 Sheffield 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