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

As a student at University of Technology 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 Technology 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.

UTS Startups, the entrepreneurship hub at the University of Technology Sydney, provides significant mentorship opportunities for early-stage entrepreneurs. They connect startups with a network of mentors, including industry experts and successful alumni. This local focus is valuable as mentors understand the specific challenges and opportunities within the Sydney ecosystem. They offer guidance on various aspects of building a startup, such as marketing, finance, and fundraising. The program emphasizes peer learning and aims to create a vibrant community where founders can connect with helpful people and resources. This support is crucial for early-stage ventures navigating the initial phases of development.

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.

University of Technology Sydney (UTS) offers various funding opportunities for student startups through its UTS Startups program. This program provides access to resources, mentorship, and a community of entrepreneurs. UTS Startups offers seed funding, with eligible startups having the opportunity to pitch for up to $100,000 through an investment fund. While UTS itself does not directly invest through this fund, it connects student startups with external investors like MA Financial. Additionally, UTS Startups provides free hot-desking for current and recent UTS students and staff, and discounted dedicated desks. The program aims to support a wide range of student-led ventures and foster a vibrant startup ecosystem.

By choosing EWOR, University of Technology 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. 

UTS Startups fosters a vibrant community to support student entrepreneurs. It connects students with a network of over 600 active startups, providing opportunities for peer learning and mentorship. Students can learn from those who have recently navigated similar challenges. The program offers coworking spaces, including dedicated and hot desks, meeting rooms, and access to prototyping facilities, encouraging collaboration. Community events, workshops, and industry connections further help students build connections and grow their ventures.

While local incubators at University of Technology 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. 

UTS Startups is the main entrepreneurship program at the University of Technology Sydney. It offers resources like co-working space, mentorship, and potential seed funding. The program aims to support a wide variety of student-led startups. UTS Startups provides a community and access to collaboration spaces. While specific details on the format (in-person, remote, or hybrid) for all programs aren't explicitly stated, the availability of co-working space suggests an in-person component. However, UTS generally utilizes a hybrid working model for some services, and online options for appointments are available. This suggests a potential for hybrid accessibility in some aspects of the incubator programs, which can enhance student participation by offering flexibility.

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

UTS Startups, the university's entrepreneurship program, provides various forms of educational support to help students develop entrepreneurial skills. They offer workshops, bootcamps, and hackathons. Students can also access resources like co-working space, mentorship from industry experts and alumni, and connections to the wider startup ecosystem. A key program is the free, online Rapid Value Creation (RVC) program, a 9-to-12-week course designed to help students quickly develop and launch their startups through practical missions and mentorship. UTS also integrates entrepreneurship into coursework across its faculties and offers specific entrepreneurial subjects. Additionally, programs like UTS Startups @ School aim to inspire younger students through workshops led by student founders.

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 Technology 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 Technology 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