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

As a student at Zhejiang University, 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 Zhejiang University 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.

Zhejiang University's local incubators provide valuable mentorship opportunities for early-stage entrepreneurs. These incubators, such as the ZIBS Innovation Center, connect startups with experienced business mentors from both within and outside the university. Local mentors offer crucial insights into the regional market, cultural nuances, and business practices, helping entrepreneurs navigate the specific challenges of the local ecosystem. They provide guidance on strategy, product development, and scaling businesses, leveraging their own entrepreneurial experiences and industry leadership. This localized support, combined with access to a network of experts and resources, helps early-stage ventures refine their business models, secure funding, and accelerate 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.

Zhejiang University (ZJU) offers various funding opportunities for student startups through its local incubators and entrepreneurship programs. The university is recognized for its strong entrepreneurial ecosystem and efforts to foster innovation among students. While specific details on all local incubator funding are not readily available, ZJU's International Business School provides support through incubation and boot camp programs. Additionally, the ZIBS Innovation Center serves as an incubator for faculty and student ventures, offering services like project incubation and capital matching. Beyond direct incubator funding, Zhejiang Province and Hangzhou city governments provide incentives for startups, including seed funding, tax subsidies, and even free office space. Zhejiang University also participates in joint seed grant programs with international universities, such as Cornell University and the University of Toronto, which can support early-stage research projects with commercial potential. Furthermore, the university's Entrepreneurship Guarantee Fund and collaborations with venture capital funds and alumni associations can help students secure financing.

By choosing EWOR, Zhejiang University 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. 

Zhejiang University's local incubators foster a network and community that supports student entrepreneurship. These incubators, such as the ZIBS Innovation Center and those within the Zhejiang University Science Park, aim to connect students with resources and opportunities. They provide services like project incubation, strategic consulting, and entrepreneurship training. The incubator community helps students build connections through various initiatives. This includes mentorship programs, workshops, and networking events with entrepreneurs and industry professionals. Collaborative mechanisms, such as on-campus incubation and off-campus base linkage, also facilitate interaction and shared learning. The university also integrates industry resources and partners to provide students with real-world exposure and potential capital matching.

While local incubators at Zhejiang University 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. 

Zhejiang University has various initiatives supporting innovation and entrepreneurship, including incubators and programs. The ZIBS Innovation Center, located on the International Campus, offers project incubation, consulting, training, competitions, and capital matching. These programs aim to integrate resources and support ventures by faculty and students. While some programs, like the "Entrepreneurship in China" International Summer School, are explicitly in-person with lectures, company visits, and cultural experiences in Hangzhou, the university also utilized online platforms for a large number of courses, suggesting a capacity for remote or hybrid learning. The structure often involves a network of resources and can include both on-campus facilities and connections with external partners. The mix of in-person and potentially hybrid elements impacts student participation by offering flexibility while still providing opportunities for hands-on experience and networking.

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

Zhejiang University's local incubators, such as the ZIBS Innovation Center, offer various educational supports to foster entrepreneurial skills. These include project incubation, strategic consulting, and entrepreneurship camp training. The university provides courses like "Innovation Design and Entrepreneurship" which cover basic concepts, principles, and methods of innovation and entrepreneurship, incorporating design thinking and entrepreneurial practice. Students can also participate in programs like the "Entrepreneurship in China & OBOR" International Summer School, featuring fieldwork, company visits, and business plan development. Workshops on topics such as Design Thinking, Business Model Design, and Internet Marketing are also available. The university integrates innovation and entrepreneurship education into the curriculum, with required courses for all majors.

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 Zhejiang University'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 Zhejiang University 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