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

As a student at University of Western Australia, 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 Western Australia 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 Western Australia's (UWA) local incubators, such as Venture UWA, offer valuable mentorship opportunities for early-stage entrepreneurs. These programs connect students and aspiring business owners with experienced industry professionals and successful entrepreneurs from the Perth ecosystem. Local mentors provide crucial support by sharing their knowledge of the Australian market, offering relevant business advice, and helping navigate unique regional challenges and opportunities. They also leverage their established local networks to facilitate connections with potential investors, partners, and customers. This guidance helps early-stage entrepreneurs refine their ideas, develop essential business skills, and build confidence, contributing to their personal and venture growth.

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 Western Australia (UWA) offers funding opportunities for student startups primarily through its Venture UWA initiative. Venture UWA's Startup Incubator Program provides participants with access to equity-free seed funding, with teams eligible for up to $7,500. This program also includes mentorship, business coaching, and skills development workshops. Additionally, UWA supports student entrepreneurship through programs like the Startup Launchpad, which offers academic credit and mentorship. While specific grant programs for student startups may vary, the Alumni Fund also provides grants for student projects focused on enriching experiences and leadership development.

By choosing EWOR, University of Western Australia 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 Western Australia's (UWA) local incubators, like Venture UWA, cultivate a strong community to help students connect and collaborate. Venture UWA, a student-led initiative, provides an environment that encourages idea development and accelerates personal growth through valuable partnerships and shared knowledge. They offer a co-working space where students can work alongside peers and clubs, gaining practical experience. The incubators facilitate connections with industry leaders through workshops and exclusive events, including networking opportunities with Perth's industry leaders. Programs often involve working in interdisciplinary teams on real-world projects, fostering collaboration and networking with students and industry professionals. This ecosystem helps students build essential skills and networks for future careers.

While local incubators at University of Western Australia 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 Western Australia (UWA) offers incubator programs, such as Venture's Incubator, to support student-led businesses. These programs provide mentorship, education, workshops, and sometimes seed funding and co-working space. While some aspects of UWA's offerings, like certain events or support services, may have hybrid or online components, the incubator program itself appears to have a strong in-person element, with dedicated co-working spaces and launch events. This structure can foster collaboration and networking among student entrepreneurs and mentors. However, it might limit participation for students who are unable to attend in person due to location or other commitments. UWA does offer digital resources and support for remote learning in other contexts.

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

UWA's local incubators, such as Venture UWA and programs like Startup Launchpad and the UWA Startup Pre-Accelerator, offer various educational supports to foster entrepreneurial skills. Venture UWA provides skills workshops led by industry experts and access to an Entrepreneur in Residence for business advice. The Startup Incubator Program is a 5-month program focusing on founder and business development through workshops and mentorship. Startup Launchpad is a semester-long course where students develop and launch a business for academic credit. The UWA Startup Pre-Accelerator is an entrepreneur-led program with support from alumni, staff, and researchers. Additionally, programs like the Future Leaders Immersion Program include workshops and knowledge sharing sessions with startup founders. The Centre for Entrepreneurial Research and Innovation (CERI) also offers programs like Entrepreneurial Mindset Bootcamp and Concept to Creation to educate early-stage entrepreneurs.

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 Western Australia'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 Western Australia 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