EWOR vs CITRIS Foundry: 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 CITRIS Foundry and EWOR, it’s worth asking: Are you building for the campus or for the world?

This article breaks down how EWOR and CITRIS Foundry 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 CITRIS Foundry 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.

The CITRIS Foundry is a deep tech incubator at the University of California, empowering innovators to transform research into scalable ventures. Its program is a six-month journey designed to support founders at various stages, with a focus on market validation, prototyping, and investor readiness. A key feature is its no-cost, no-equity model, allowing founders to retain full ownership. Unique educational support includes access to UC labs, thousands of patents, interdisciplinary expertise, and tailored mentorship. The program culminates in a Demo Day where founders pitch to investors.

In short, while CITRIS Foundry 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, CITRIS Foundry 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.

CITRIS Foundry's mentorship programs connect students and entrepreneurs with experienced advisors to help scale their deep tech ventures. Mentors provide crucial guidance on various aspects, including market validation, business model refinement, and investor readiness. They leverage their industry knowledge and networks to help founders navigate challenges, make informed decisions, and accelerate growth. This tailored support, combined with access to UC resources, helps innovators transform research into market-ready, scalable solutions.

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 CITRIS Foundry 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.

While CITRIS Foundry itself does not directly provide funding, it offers significant support to help students and entrepreneurs secure capital. The program is free and requires no equity. CITRIS Foundry assists startups in becoming "venture-ready" through business development guidance, mentorship, and access to a strong network of industry partners and investors. A key component is the Demo Day, where founders pitch to investors to gain visibility and funding opportunities. Additionally, CITRIS and the Banatao Institute offer seed funding programs, like the CITRIS Core Seed Funding, which provide awards to research teams from multiple UC campuses working on innovative solutions. These seed funds help catalyze early-stage research and can lead to attracting further external funding. CITRIS Foundry alumni also benefit from ongoing support, including access to scaling resources and opportunities for funding and partnerships.

While CITRIS Foundry 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.

CITRIS Foundry provides significant community and networking benefits for students and entrepreneurs. It connects them with a global network of innovators and collaborators through its alumni network. The program offers access to an extensive network of entrepreneurs and industry experts for coaching and connections. This includes structured workshops, technical office hours, and investor pitch sessions. CITRIS also facilitates interaction with world-leading faculty and provides early access to top talent through student programming. They also connect UC entrepreneurs through the incubator and offer networking opportunities with peers through research consortiums and events. The program emphasizes community-based learning, with teams working together and providing feedback.

While CITRIS Foundry 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 CITRIS Foundry 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.

The CITRIS Foundry is a selective deep tech incubator at the University of California, known for its prestige in supporting UC-affiliated innovators. It focuses on helping entrepreneurial scientists, researchers, and engineers from UC Berkeley, UC Davis, UC Merced, and UC Santa Cruz build transformative technology companies. Applicants are chosen based on several criteria, including having a team of at least two founders and a project based on innovation in eligible scientific and engineering disciplines with a prototype or proof of concept. The startup's mission should align with UC's public purpose, addressing societal challenges. Ideal teams are prepared, capable, and highly motivated to make a significant impact. The application process involves an online written application, with finalists invited for an in-person interview.

While CITRIS Foundry 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 CITRIS Foundry 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, CITRIS Foundry 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