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

As a student at University of Southampton, 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 Southampton 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 Southampton's local incubators, such as Future Worlds and SETsquared, provide valuable mentorship for early-stage entrepreneurs. These programs connect founders with experienced mentors, including seasoned entrepreneurs and investors, many of whom are university alumni. Local mentors offer crucial support by sharing their expertise, industry knowledge, and networks. They provide guidance on various aspects of building a business, from strategy and product development to pitching and securing funding. This local network offers tailored advice and can help startups avoid common pitfalls, increasing their chances of success. The mentorship is often provided with no equity taken from the startups, focusing on the founders' growth and the local entrepreneurial 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 Southampton offers various funding opportunities to support student startups through its enterprise ecosystem. A key resource is the Student Enterprise Fund, which provides grants of up to £5,000 to help students accelerate existing businesses or launch new ideas. This fund has different pathways to support a range of early-stage ventures, including social enterprises and freelance work. Additionally, the university is a founding member of the SETsquared Partnership, a leading business incubator network that assists startups with accessing funding and investment. While specific details on all local incubator funding weren't readily available, the university's commitment to student enterprise is evident through these programmes and support services.

By choosing EWOR, University of Southampton 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 Southampton's Future Worlds is a key part of its local incubator network, fostering a vibrant startup community. It connects students with experienced entrepreneurs, investors, and mentors who offer guidance and support. This network facilitates connections through events, workshops, and one-to-one mentoring, helping students develop their business ideas and skills. The community encourages collaboration among students and provides access to a wider network, including alumni and industry experts. Societies like Fish On Toast also contribute to this ecosystem by promoting innovation and providing networking opportunities. This supportive environment helps students build valuable connections and turn their ideas into reality.

While local incubators at University of Southampton 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 Southampton offers various enterprise support for students, including incubators and accelerators like Future Worlds and involvement in the SETsquared partnership. These initiatives provide resources such as mentoring, access to networks of investors and industry leaders, and sometimes physical workspace at the Southampton Science Park. The accessibility of these programs appears to be a mix of in-person and online options. For instance, student enterprise appointments are available both online and in-person. While some programs like the Catalyst accelerator are based at the Science Park, indicating an in-person component, the university is also exploring hybrid models for other programs, like a planned hybrid global executive MBA. This hybrid approach can increase student participation by offering flexibility for those with other commitments while still providing opportunities for valuable in-person interaction and networking.

EWOR’s fully remote programmes are built for modern entrepreneurs – offering the flexibility to participate from anywhere, on your terms. University of Southampton 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 Southampton offers various educational support for aspiring student entrepreneurs through its local incubators and related programs. A key part of this is the SETsquared partnership, which provides entrepreneurial training and business acceleration. The university also has Future Worlds, a tech startup accelerator that connects students with mentors, investors, and industry leaders, offering events and competitions. Students can also benefit from "Design Your Future" workshops aimed at developing skills for their career journey. Additionally, the Business School provides entrepreneurship education and is establishing an Innovation Space. For those interested in social impact, the Social Impact Lab helps students start social ventures. The university's Business Entrepreneurship degree also includes modules on planning, promoting, financing, and growing a business.

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 Southampton'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 Southampton 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