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

As a student at University of Sydney, 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 Sydney 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 Sydney's local incubators, such as INCUBATE and Genesis, offer valuable mentorship opportunities for early-stage entrepreneurs. These programs connect founders with experienced industry professionals, including entrepreneurs-in-residence and successful alumni. Local mentors provide one-on-one guidance, sharing their knowledge, skills, and real-world experiences to help navigate challenges and refine business ideas. This local network offers practical advice, industry-specific insights, and connections, which are crucial for early validation and growth within the Australian market. The mentorship supports entrepreneurs in areas like customer testing, business planning, and pitching, accelerating their journey from ideation to a thriving venture.

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 Sydney offers several funding opportunities for student startups through its local incubators and programs. INCUBATE, a student-led accelerator, provides up to $10,000 in equity-free seed funding for selected startups. Additionally, the university has launched a $25 million Pre-Seed Launch Fund to invest in ventures with significant links to the university, including those founded by students and recent graduates. This fund can invest up to $500,000 per opportunity, typically through a SAFE note or priced equity round. The university also offers other support mechanisms like grant funding for proof-of-concept and market validation, and mentorship through initiatives like the Sydney Knowledge Hub.

By choosing EWOR, University of Sydney 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 Sydney's incubators, such as INCUBATE and the Sydney Knowledge Hub, cultivate a strong network and community for students. INCUBATE, a student-led accelerator, connects students with over 100 mentors and industry leaders, fostering a proactive community of innovators. The Sydney Knowledge Hub facilitates collaboration between students, researchers, and industry through co-working spaces and events. Programs like Startup Year integrate students into the INCUBATE Accelerator, providing mentorship and access to investor networks. These initiatives help students build crucial connections, gain practical skills, and collaborate on ventures, accelerating their entrepreneurial journey.

While local incubators at University of Sydney 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 Sydney offers various programs to support student entrepreneurship, including the INCUBATE Accelerator Program. INCUBATE is a 14-week program designed to help startups develop from their initial stages to securing investment or customers. It includes weekly in-person sessions, masterclasses, mentoring, networking events, and access to co-working space. While the flagship accelerator has a significant in-person component, the university also utilizes hybrid and remote learning approaches in other areas, offering a mix of face-to-face and online options to accommodate students who cannot attend campus. This hybrid approach in the broader university context likely influences the accessibility of entrepreneurial support, allowing for wider student participation regardless of location.

EWOR’s fully remote programmes are built for modern entrepreneurs – offering the flexibility to participate from anywhere, on your terms. University of Sydney 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 Sydney offers various educational support through its incubators and programs to foster entrepreneurial skills. INCUBATE is a key program providing mentorship through workshops and one-on-one sessions, and access to industry experts. They also run ProtoX, a mentoring program for those building a startup or delivering impactful research. The Sydney Knowledge Hub supports research entrepreneurs with programming, events, and connections to industry and investors. The University also offers curriculum programs like the Major in Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Industry and Community Project Units, and the postgraduate Inventing the Future program. Additionally, the Startup Year program integrates entrepreneurial skills and includes a hands-on startup project through the INCUBATE Accelerator Program.

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 Sydney'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 Sydney 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