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

As a student at University of St Andrews, 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 St Andrews 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 St Andrews supports early-stage entrepreneurs through its Entrepreneurship Centre and St Andrews Innovation initiatives. These provide access to experienced local mentors who offer expert advice and guidance. Mentors help with crucial aspects like business planning, strategy, and building strong teams. The value of these local connections lies in their ability to provide practical, real-world insights and networking opportunities within the regional ecosystem. This mentorship is a key part of the support offered to help turn early-stage ideas into sustainable ventures.

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 St Andrews supports student startups through its Entrepreneurship Centre, which offers programmes, one-to-one support, events, and competitions. These initiatives provide tools, contacts, and funding to help students develop their ideas into successful ventures. The University offers various internal funding streams for startups and spin-outs, including those accessible through enterprise programmes and internal competitions. Additionally, students can explore external funding opportunities through resources like Research Professional and Research Connect, as well as agencies like the UK Research and Innovation Council and Horizon Europe. The University also has connections with an ecosystem of investors, including angel investors and venture capitalists. Specific funding opportunities like the Innovation Support Funding, backed by the Scottish Funding Council, provide financial assistance for prototyping and design services at the Rapid Prototyping Centre. While not exclusively for startups, the Students' Association also offers various funds for student groups and projects, including a Societies Fund with startup grants for new initiatives.

By choosing EWOR, University of St Andrews 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 St Andrews fosters an entrepreneurial ecosystem through its Entrepreneurship Centre and St Andrews Innovation. These initiatives connect students and staff with industry, providing resources, training, and one-to-one support. The Entrepreneurship Centre offers programs like FastStart, focusing on developing practical skills and exploring different forms of entrepreneurship. They also facilitate mentor matching and provide access to an investor network, helping students build connections and turn ideas into sustainable businesses. The university's Eden Campus further supports this by bringing together change-makers and providing a space for collaboration between students, staff, and external businesses.

While local incubators at University of St Andrews 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 St Andrews supports entrepreneurial activity through its Entrepreneurship Centre, part of St Andrews Innovation. This center offers programs, one-to-one support, and events to help students, staff, and the wider community develop ideas into businesses. While the information doesn't explicitly state if all programs are in-person, remote, or hybrid, the Summer Teams Enterprise Programme (STEP) is highlighted as a completely remote skills development program. The university also emphasizes digital accessibility and provides resources for remote learners, suggesting a move towards or inclusion of remote options. The availability of remote programs like STEP can increase student participation by removing geographical barriers and offering flexibility.

EWOR’s fully remote programmes are built for modern entrepreneurs – offering the flexibility to participate from anywhere, on your terms. University of St Andrews 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 St Andrews offers various educational support initiatives to foster entrepreneurial skills. The Enterprise & Creativity module provides second-year undergraduates with hands-on experience in developing and delivering enterprising projects. The university's Entrepreneurship Centre runs programs like FastStart Innovators for for-profit ideas, FastStart Changemakers for social entrepreneurship, and FastStart Design Thinking. Additionally, the Learning and Writing Centre offers workshops covering entrepreneurial and creative skills, with different strands for undergraduate, master's, and postgraduate research students. The university is committed to integrating entrepreneurial and enterprise education across disciplines to create an inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem.

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 St Andrews'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 St Andrews 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