EWOR vs Berkeley LAUNCH: A Complete Comparison

Choosing the right platform to grow your startup can shape everything – from who you build with to how fast you scale. If you’re deciding between Berkeley LAUNCH and EWOR, it’s worth asking: Are you building for the campus or for the world?

This article breaks down how EWOR and Berkeley LAUNCH compare across five key areas – programme structure, mentorship, funding, network, and selectivity – so you can choose the platform that best matches your ambition.

1. Programme Structure and Educational Support

Both EWOR and Berkeley LAUNCH offer structured programmes designed to help entrepreneurs grow. But they differ significantly in depth, flexibility, and global access.

EWOR offers two core fellowships:

• Ideation Fellowship, for refining and validating early-stage ideas
• Traction Fellowship, for scaling existing ventures

Both combine founder-led education, expert mentorship, and startup-building resources tailored to your stage. The experience is modular and remote-first – designed to move with you, not slow you down.

Each programme combines founder-led education, real-world mentorship, and global access. Participants get 24/7 access to a curated library of over 200 exclusive videos, workshops, and modules – designed by unicorn founders, investors, and seasoned entrepreneurs. From validating ideas to securing your first term sheet, the modules are tailored to support you and your journey as a founder.

Berkeley LAUNCH's entrepreneurial programs, such as the "Learn2Launch" program, offer an intensive, hands-on approach to entrepreneurship. The structure often follows a framework that includes defining opportunities, learning through customer discovery and prototyping, launching the venture, and planning for acceleration. Key features involve in-class instruction from faculty, guest speakers from the entrepreneurial ecosystem, and rigorous hands-on workshops where students form teams and work on launching their own startups. A unique aspect of Berkeley's approach, particularly in the Berkeley Method of Entrepreneurship, is the focus on developing an entrepreneurial mindset through a game-based teaching approach. Additionally, UC Berkeley provides various academic support resources, including the Student Learning Center and programs like Berkeley Connect, which offer tutoring, mentoring, and peer support to help students navigate their academic journey and connect with the community.

In short, while Berkeley LAUNCH offers a solid foundation through on-campus resources and local networking, EWOR provides greater flexibility – with a global reach and a more in-depth entrepreneurial curriculum ideal for students seeking international exposure and mentorship.

2. Mentorship Opportunities

Mentorship isn’t just about guidance – it’s about who’s guiding you. EWOR links fellows with unicorn founders, exited entrepreneurs, and top operators across industries. These aren’t guest speakers; they’re active full-time mentors at EWOR, many of whom have built and exited €1B+ companies like SumUp, ProGlove, and Adjust. 

By contrast, Berkeley LAUNCH often leans on faculty or regional entrepreneurs. While valuable, this advice can be theoretical or context-limited. EWOR offers mentorship grounded in real outcomes – helping you tackle investor meetings, product pivots, or global go-to-market strategy with confidence.

Berkeley LAUNCH, a UC-wide accelerator, offers a 3-month program focused on scaling the commercialization of products. Mentors, including faculty and serial entrepreneurs, guide teams through a Lean Startup-focused curriculum. They provide valuable feedback, connections to investors and industry experts, and assistance with business models and strategy execution. This mentorship helps startups refine their products, understand their target markets, and build scalable business models, ultimately preparing them to become fundable companies.

At EWOR, mentorship isn’t theoretical – it’s experiential. You’re matched with experienced mentors who are a part of a global network of over 1,000 investors and mentors. Whether you're refining your pitch, making your first hires, or navigating product-market fit, you'll have seasoned operators at your side – helping you move faster and build smarter.

3. Funding and Investment Opportunities

One of the key differences between EWOR and Berkeley LAUNCH is the access to funding. EWOR provides up to €500,000 in funding for selected startups, offering crucial financial support in the early stages. Beyond that, EWOR connects participants with a global network of investors, venture capital firms, and angels. Fellows also take part in what is called the “Grand Pitch”, an exclusive event where they present to hundreds of vetted investors, helping reduce fundraising time by over 80%. On average, EWOR founders raise 130% more than typical pre-seed startups at 2.5x higher valuations, thanks to the quality of the network and hands-on support. It’s not just about finding capital - it’s about raising smarter, faster, and on better terms.

Berkeley LAUNCH, the University of California's startup accelerator, offers various funding options to support student entrepreneurs. A key avenue is the Berkeley SkyDeck Fund, which invests $200,000 in startups selected for the SkyDeck Accelerator Program. This fund is supported by various investors, including prominent VC firms. Beyond SkyDeck, UC Berkeley provides other resources. The Berkeley-Haas Dean's Startup Seed Fund offers grants to early-stage startups with Haas student involvement. Additionally, programs like the Berkeley Angel Network connect student entrepreneurs with angel investors from the UC Berkeley community. Competitions like the LAUNCH: Berkeley Startup Competition also provide opportunities for later-stage startups to gain visibility and potentially secure funding. The university ecosystem, including programs like QB3 and The House, further assists students in developing their ventures and accessing initial seed funding.

While Berkeley LAUNCH may offer grants or seed funding for early-stage startups, EWOR’s ability to provide substantial initial funding and connect entrepreneurs with a global investor network gives it a clear edge in supporting scalable business growth.

4. Networking and Community

Being part of a supportive entrepreneurial community can make a significant difference in an entrepreneur’s journey. EWOR fosters a tight-knit, selective community that includes some of the most promising entrepreneurs from around the world. Participants gain more than just access to mentors, experts, and investors – they join an exclusive network of peers who are just as driven, talented, and committed to building ambitious, high-impact startups. For example, many fellows are working on startups that tackle urgent global challenges such as climate change, education inequality, mental health, and financial inclusion.

Berkeley LAUNCH provides significant community and networking benefits by connecting students and entrepreneurs with peers, faculty, alumni, and industry professionals. It serves as a central hub for the entrepreneurial ecosystem at Berkeley, bringing together individuals from various disciplines and schools. Through sponsored networking events, classes, and competitions, participants can form teams and refine their venture ideas. LAUNCH also matches teams with experienced entrepreneurial mentors and provides access to a vast network of advisors, investors, and corporate partners. This facilitates connections for guidance, potential funding, and industry insights.

While Berkeley LAUNCH likely has a strong on-campus community and access to local networks, EWOR’s global reach and exclusive cohort model ensure that participants can connect with a diverse range of entrepreneurs, professionals, and investors from different regions and industries. 

5. Selectivity and Prestige

Both EWOR and Berkeley LAUNCH are selective in admitting participants, but the level of exclusivity differs. EWOR is known for being highly selective, accepting only the top 0.1% of applicants. This ensures that participants are surrounded by equally talented and driven individuals, creating a stimulating environment where excellence is the norm.

Berkeley LAUNCH is a highly selective accelerator program for early-stage startups with a connection to the University of California system. It is considered prestigious due to its affiliation with UC Berkeley, a top-ranked public university globally. Applicants are chosen through a competitive process. To be eligible, companies must demonstrate product-market fit and have at least one UC faculty, student, or alum on their team. The selection criteria likely consider the potential of the startup, the strength of the team, and the market opportunity. While specific judging criteria aren't detailed, the program aims to transform promising startups into fundable companies. The program is small, with a limited number of startups accepted into each cohort, contributing to its selectivity.

While Berkeley LAUNCH may have its own competitive admissions process, EWOR’s rigorous selection criteria and international focus create a prestigious network of entrepreneurs who are among the best in their field, offering unparalleled opportunities for collaboration and growth.

In case you’re unsure whether EWOR is the right fit for you, here are just a few recent fellows:

• Jørgen Tveit – Oxford engineering graduate, co-designer of a revolutionary underwater flywheel, and recipient of Europe’s largest-ever pre-seed round (€13M).
• Lukas Köstler – PhD in Computer Vision (TUM), ex-Tesla Autopilot engineer, now building a Spatial AI startup backed by Lakestar and Seedcamp (€4M raised).
• Nick D'Aloisio – Founded his first company at 16 (€30M exit to Yahoo), sold his second to Twitter, and is now working on neuro-inspired deep learning.
• Faris Fakhry – MIT nuclear physicist assembling a team to develop a next-gen fission test reactor, backed by Thiel Fellowship founders.
• Rihab Lajmi – Ex-Google/Microsoft engineer with 100k+ followers, now building a conversational AI recruiter targeting a €30B market.

These are the kinds of people you’ll build alongside at EWOR. Don’t settle for average. Build with the exceptional.

That’s a Wrap

Choosing between EWOR and Berkeley LAUNCH isn’t just about comparing features – it’s about deciding the kind of founder you want to become.

If you’re looking for local resources and campus connections, Berkeley LAUNCH may offer a solid start. But if you’re building for something bigger – if you want global mentorship, significant early funding, and a community that challenges you to operate at the highest level – then EWOR is built for you.

Want to see if EWOR’s Ideation or Traction Fellowship is right for you? Explore how our fellowships work – or start your application today.

Image credits: Kaleidico on Unsplash