The EWOR Advantage: 5 Reasons University of Texas at Austin Students Should Look Beyond Local Incubators

As a student at University of Texas at Austin, 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 Texas at Austin 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 Texas at Austin's local incubators, such as the Austin Technology Incubator (ATI), offer robust mentorship opportunities for early-stage entrepreneurs. ATI's TEXVMS program, based on the MIT Venture Mentoring Service model, provides team-based mentoring from a community of experienced local entrepreneurs and industry experts. These mentors offer personalized advice on areas like business development, product positioning, and scaling strategies. The value of these local mentors lies in their understanding of the Austin ecosystem and their ability to provide practical, actionable guidance. Programs like the Student Entrepreneur Acceleration and Launch (SEAL) also connect startups with experts and facilitate networking within the local community. This access to seasoned professionals is crucial for navigating the challenges of the early stages of a business.

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 Texas at Austin offers various funding opportunities for student startups through its incubators and programs. The Austin Technology Incubator (ATI), affiliated with UT Austin, helps startups secure funding through partnerships with investors and provides access to grants, equity investments, and loans. UT's LaunchPad program also offers "StartUP" grants to undergraduate students for their entrepreneurial ventures, with individual grants typically ranging from $500 to $5,000. Additionally, the university has established the UT Seed Fund, a $10 million fund that invests in promising startups based on university-owned intellectual property, with anticipated investments of up to $250,000 per company. The student-run Genesis Program, supported by alumni, provides seed funding and mentorship to student entrepreneurs, with investments generally ranging from $500 to $5,000. These initiatives demonstrate UT Austin's commitment to supporting student entrepreneurship through various funding mechanisms.

By choosing EWOR, University of Texas at Austin 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. 

UT Austin's local incubators, like the Austin Technology Incubator (ATI), cultivate a strong network and community for students. ATI, a deep tech incubator, connects students with expertise, relationships, and funding sources. They provide access to a dedicated mentor community of experienced entrepreneurs and investors. This network facilitates collaboration among students, faculty, and community entrepreneurs. Programs like Texas Entrepreneurship and Texas Venture Labs also foster this environment, offering resources and opportunities for students to connect and develop their ventures. The incubators actively work to integrate students into the broader Austin startup ecosystem.

While local incubators at University of Texas at Austin 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 Texas at Austin is home to several incubators, notably the Austin Technology Incubator (ATI), a unit of the IC2 Institute. ATI focuses on deep tech commercialization across various sectors like bioscience, clean energy, and IT. These incubators provide strategic counsel, operational guidance, infrastructure support, and access to capital and mentors. While some programs may have in-person components like orientations or summits, others, such as certain internships, offer hybrid or remote options, impacting accessibility for students who may not be able to be physically present in Austin. UT Austin has also been moving towards requiring staff to return to on-site work, which could influence the operational modality of some incubator support staff. The mix of in-person, hybrid, and remote opportunities affects student participation by offering flexibility for some programs while requiring physical presence for others.

EWOR’s fully remote programmes are built for modern entrepreneurs – offering the flexibility to participate from anywhere, on your terms. University of Texas at Austin 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 Texas at Austin offers robust educational support for aspiring entrepreneurs through its various incubators and programs. The Austin Technology Incubator (ATI), a key part of UT, provides strategic counsel, operational guidance, and infrastructure support, focusing on deep tech sectors. Programs like the Longhorn Startup Program offer lecture-based seminars with experienced entrepreneurs and project-based labs for students working on scalable technology companies. UT Austin also provides resources through initiatives like the Harkey Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies, offering minors, summer academies, funding, and mentorship. The Blackstone LaunchPad aims to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset across campus. Additionally, programs like the Readiness Training Program for HUBs/Small Businesses offer training specifically for minority and women-owned businesses, covering essential business concepts and strategies for securing contracts. The university's commitment extends to specialized areas like clean energy through the ATI Clean Energy Incubator.

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 Texas at Austin'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 Texas at Austin 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