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

As a student at University of Tokyo, 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 Tokyo 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.

University of Tokyo's local incubators offer valuable mentorship opportunities for early-stage entrepreneurs. These programs connect startups with experienced professionals, including venture capitalists, consultants, accountants, attorneys, bankers, analysts, and seasoned entrepreneurs, many of whom are university alumni. The value of these local mentors lies in their practical business knowledge and understanding of the Japanese market and ecosystem. They provide guidance on various aspects of launching and growing a business, from refining business plans and navigating intellectual property to securing funding and building networks. This hands-on mentorship helps entrepreneurs avoid common pitfalls and accelerates their development within the local context. Programs like the University of Tokyo Entrepreneur Dojo and the 1stRound incubation program specifically incorporate mentorship to help students and researchers commercialize their ideas and prepare for funding rounds.

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 Tokyo offers various funding opportunities for student startups through its local incubators and support programs. UTokyo FoundX assists graduates and researchers in the pre-incubation and initial launch phases, providing know-how, resources, and workspace. The Greater Tokyo Innovation Ecosystem (GTIE) program, centered on commercializing graduate student and faculty research, includes a Gap Fund for teams targeting overseas markets. UTokyo Innovation Platform Co., Ltd. (UTokyo IPC), the university's venture capital arm, manages funds that invest in startups connected to UTokyo at various stages. Their 1stRound incubation program, a collaboration with multiple universities and corporations, offers up to 10 million yen in non-equity funding and hands-on support to help pre-seed to early-stage academic startups secure initial investment. Additionally, the Division of University Corporate Relations (DUCR) provides support for student projects with startup potential.

By choosing EWOR, University of Tokyo 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 Tokyo's local incubators foster a network and community to support student entrepreneurship. Programs like UTokyo FoundX provide access to entrepreneur communities and workspaces, helping students build connections. The Division of University Corporate Relations (DUCR) manages incubation facilities and offers support like legal consulting and networking opportunities. UTokyo IPC, the university's venture investment arm, also facilitates collaborations between startups and established companies. These initiatives aim to connect students with investors, industry professionals, and other entrepreneurs, fostering a collaborative environment for launching new ventures.

While local incubators at University of Tokyo 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 Tokyo offers various resources to support startups and entrepreneurs, including incubation facilities and educational programs. These facilities, such as the Entrepreneur Plaza and Entrepreneur Lab, provide physical space for startups and are accessible 24/7. The university's Division of University Corporate Relations (DUCR) oversees these initiatives, offering support like legal consulting and networking opportunities. While specific details on the format (in-person, remote, or hybrid) of all programs are not explicitly stated for every offering, the university provides both in-person incubation facilities and educational programs. Some programs, like the UTokyo Global Unit Courses, explicitly offer both in-person and online options, suggesting a hybrid approach in some areas. The availability of physical incubation spaces indicates a strong in-person component to their support structure. This blend likely impacts student participation by offering flexibility through hybrid options while also providing dedicated physical resources for those who need them.

EWOR’s fully remote programmes are built for modern entrepreneurs – offering the flexibility to participate from anywhere, on your terms. University of Tokyo 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 Tokyo offers robust educational support for aspiring entrepreneurs through its local incubators and programs. A key initiative is the University of Tokyo Entrepreneur Dojo, a systematic program with Introductory, Basic, Advanced, and Entrepreneurship Challenge courses. These courses are also available as "Entrepreneurship I, II" classes for students across different faculties. The Division of University Corporate Relations (DUCR) manages incubation facilities and provides various support programs, including legal assistance, networking opportunities, and introductions to investors. UTokyo also has programs like UTokyo FoundX, which supports graduates and researchers in the pre-incubation and initial launch phases with know-how, resources, and workspace. Additionally, the Greater Tokyo Innovation Ecosystem (GTIE) program focuses on developing entrepreneurial human resources and supporting startup activities based on research. Workshops and seminars cover essential topics like business planning, marketing, finance, and intellectual property.

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 Tokyo'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 Tokyo 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