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

As a student at University of Zurich, 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 Zurich 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 Zurich's local incubators, such as the UZH Innovation Hub and its partners like Bluelion, emphasize the value of local mentors for early-stage entrepreneurs. These mentors, often experienced professionals and entrepreneurs from the Zurich ecosystem, provide crucial support. They share their expertise, offer practical advice, and help startups avoid common pitfalls. Local mentors also leverage their networks to connect founders with potential customers, partners, and investors within the Swiss market. This access to local connections and industry-specific knowledge is invaluable for navigating the initial stages of building a business in Zurich. The mentorship helps early-stage entrepreneurs refine their business models, develop strategies, and build confidence.

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 Zurich (UZH) offers various funding opportunities for student startups through its innovation ecosystem. The UZH Innovation Hub supports students and researchers in startup development, providing access to resources and guidance. One notable program is the UZH Innovation Grants, which offers CHF 10,000 to support the market validation process for research-based innovations. Additionally, UZH is involved with S2S Ventures, a student-led venture capital fund that invests up to CHF 25,000 in pre-seed stage startups from Swiss higher education institutions. Other initiatives like Founderful Campus, connected with UZH, also provide support and potential initial funding for student ventures. While some programs like the UZH Innovation Grants are primarily for researchers, the broader ecosystem includes opportunities for students to access seed funding and grants.

By choosing EWOR, University of Zurich 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 Zurich (UZH) fosters a strong network and community within its innovation ecosystem to support students and researchers in building connections and collaborating. The UZH Innovation Hub serves as a central platform, connecting students and researchers with the national and international innovation ecosystem. This hub helps transform innovative ideas into reality and turn research results into marketable products by facilitating the founding of start-ups. UZH's incubators and related initiatives emphasize interdisciplinary collaboration. For instance, The LOOP Zurich's Incubator Projects require collaboration across partner institutions like UZH and ETH Zurich to advance precision medicine. The UZH IncubatorLab also cooperates with institutions like the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK) to increase team diversity and expand expertise in areas like design. Student-led initiatives like the Venture Club at UZH provide a community for aspiring entrepreneurs, offering a dynamic network, knowledge sharing, and a support system. This environment helps students connect with peers, experienced entrepreneurs, and potential partners, accelerating their entrepreneurial journey.

While local incubators at University of Zurich 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 Zurich (UZH) supports innovation and entrepreneurship through its Innovation Hub, which connects students, researchers, and external partners. While specific details on the format of all local incubators aren't explicitly stated as solely in-person, remote, or hybrid, UZH has demonstrated a willingness to incorporate digital and hybrid approaches in various programs and courses. This adaptability, as seen in their online summer courses and hybrid teaching initiatives, suggests a potential for hybrid or remote elements within their innovation support structures, which could enhance student participation by offering flexibility. The Wyss Zurich, a joint accelerator with ETH Zurich, provides physical lab space, indicating an in-person component for some initiatives. The overall structure aims to nurture an innovation ecosystem and facilitate the transfer of research to societal impact.

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

University of Zurich's local incubators, such as the UZH Innovation Hub, offer various educational support programs to foster entrepreneurial skills. These include workshops, courses, and modules covering essential aspects of launching a startup. Students can participate in programs like the BioEntrepreneurship & Innovation (BEI) Program, focusing on bringing life science research to market, or Bootcamp courses for an introduction to entrepreneurship. The university also offers the BioMed Entrepreneurship Minor and collaborates on programs like the Innosuisse Business Concept Course. These initiatives provide hands-on training in areas such as business idea validation, market analysis, IP protection, team building, and pitching. Events like "Business Ideas Events" offer inspiration and direct learning from 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 Zurich'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 Zurich 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