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

As a student at University of Southern California, 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 Southern California 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.

USC's local incubators, such as the USC Marshall/Greif Incubator, emphasize mentorship as a core component of their support for early-stage entrepreneurs. These incubators connect student and alumni founders with experienced mentors, often industry veterans and successful entrepreneurs. The value of these local mentors lies in their ability to provide tailored guidance based on their real-world experience. They assist with crucial steps like developing a tested business model, acquiring distribution, building a team, and preparing for investment. Mentors offer one-on-one sessions to address specific business challenges and provide access to a wide network of industry professionals and investors. This local expertise and network are vital for navigating the entrepreneurial landscape in Los Angeles and beyond.

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.

USC offers various funding opportunities for student startups through its local incubators and programs. The USC Marshall/Greif Incubator provides support, mentorship, and helps connect founders with potential investors. The Greif Center for Entrepreneurial Studies offers the Marshall Catalyst Micro (MCM) fund, providing awards to support startup momentum. Additionally, the New Venture Seed Competition, hosted by the Greif Center, is a major startup competition on campus offering over $150,000 in prize funds to winners. The university also has the USC Marshall Venture Fund, a student-run fund that invests in USC-affiliated startups. The Student Empowerment Award supports student and faculty teams pursuing early-stage entrepreneurship. While some incubators like the Viterbi Startup Garage may not directly provide funding, they offer valuable resources and connections.

By choosing EWOR, University of Southern California 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. 

USC's local incubators foster a strong community to help students build connections and collaborate. Programs like the USC/Columbia Technology Incubator and the USC Marshall/Greif Incubator provide tools and connections for students to develop ideas and launch startups. They offer mentorship, access to experts, and networking events where students can connect with peers, potential customers, mentors, and investors. The USC Proving Ground competition also connects students with a network of seasoned mentors. Additionally, platforms like Entrepreneurship USC help students discover and connect with relevant resources and organizations within the university's innovation ecosystem. This comprehensive network aids students in finding support, sharing ideas, and collaborating on ventures.

While local incubators at University of Southern California 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. 

USC's local incubators, such as the USC and Techstars University Catalyst and the USC Marshall/Greif Incubator, support early-stage entrepreneurs affiliated with the university. These programs offer resources like training, mentorship, networking, and sometimes physical workspace. The structure of these programs is often hybrid, combining primarily virtual components with some in-person elements, particularly for those in the Greater Los Angeles area. This hybrid approach, along with the availability of online and HyFlex course formats at USC, enhances accessibility for students, including those who may not be able to attend entirely in-person programs. This flexibility allows students to participate regardless of their location or scheduling constraints, potentially increasing overall student engagement in entrepreneurial activities.

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

USC's local incubators, such as the USC Marshall/Greif Incubator and resources through the Keck School of Medicine's MESH program, offer significant educational support for aspiring entrepreneurs. This includes experiential education, mentorship, and a communal atmosphere. Students can access workshops, courses, and learning modules designed to develop entrepreneurial skills. The Lloyd Greif Center for Entrepreneurial Studies offers over 50 courses covering areas like business plans, marketing, and finance. Programs like the USC and Techstars University Catalyst provide a 10-week pre-accelerator with masterclasses, pitch coaching, and mentoring. MESH connects entrepreneurs with resources, including the CLS FAST Advisory program for tailored commercialization guidance.

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 Southern California'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 Southern California 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