EWOR vs New Venture Challenge: 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 New Venture Challenge and EWOR, it’s worth asking: Are you building for the campus or for the world?

This article breaks down how EWOR and New Venture Challenge 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 New Venture Challenge 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.

New Venture Challenge programs are structured as multi-round competitions designed to help students develop entrepreneurial skills and launch businesses. Key features include workshops, mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs and investors, opportunities to pitch ideas for feedback and funding, and networking events. A unique aspect of the educational support offered is the emphasis on experiential learning, where participants gain real-world experience in areas like market fit, business strategy, and pitching to potential investors. Some programs also integrate with academic courses, providing a comprehensive learning experience. Teams often receive guidance on developing business plans, creating prototypes, and conducting customer discovery. Funding is available through prizes awarded at various stages of the competition.

In short, while New Venture Challenge 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, New Venture Challenge 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.

New Venture Challenge mentorship programs connect students and entrepreneurs with experienced professionals, often alumni and industry experts. Mentors provide invaluable guidance, feedback, and personal insights throughout the competition. They assist teams in developing and refining their business models, strategies, and pitches. This support helps ventures build a strong foundation, identify market opportunities, and prepare for scaling. Mentors offer one-on-one coaching, participate in workshops, and provide feedback during pitch rounds, contributing significantly to the participants' entrepreneurial development and the growth of their ventures.

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 New Venture Challenge 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.

The New Venture Challenge (NVC) offers various funding opportunities for students and entrepreneurs, primarily through pitch competitions and prizes. These competitions award significant cash prizes to winning teams, providing crucial seed funding for their startups. For example, some NVC programs offer over $100,000 in total cash prizes, with top finalists receiving substantial amounts. Beyond direct funding, NVC supports participants by connecting them with mentors, advisors, and potential investors, helping them build relationships and refine their business plans to attract further capital. They also provide workshops and resources to enhance entrepreneurial skills and prepare teams for pitching to investors. Some NVC programs also offer non-dilutive grants, meaning entrepreneurs receive funding without giving up equity in their company.

While New Venture Challenge 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.

The New Venture Challenge (NVC) offers significant community and networking benefits for students and entrepreneurs. It provides a platform to connect with experienced entrepreneurs, alumni, business professionals, investors, and faculty. Through workshops, mentor meetups, and networking events, participants can build relationships, gain valuable feedback, and learn from others' experiences. This supportive community helps in refining business ideas, developing practical skills, and navigating the challenges of starting a venture. Networking within the NVC can lead to potential collaborations, mentorship, and even funding opportunities.

While New Venture Challenge 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 New Venture Challenge 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 New Venture Challenge (NVC) is a highly selective and prestigious accelerator program, particularly the one run by the Polsky Center at the University of Chicago, recognized as one of the top-ranked in the nation. It has a strong track record of launching successful companies like Grubhub and Venmo. Applicant selection is rigorous, often requiring teams to include at least one student from the host university, such as a Chicago Booth MBA student or a Harvard Business School MBA student. Criteria for admission typically include the originality and commercial promise of the business idea, the feasibility of the business plan, market potential, financial projections, and the strength and capability of the team. Some programs also have limitations on the amount of prior funding a venture can have received. Teams are often required to submit detailed feasibility summaries or business plans and may go through multiple rounds of pitching to panels of experienced investors and judges.

While New Venture Challenge 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 New Venture Challenge 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, New Venture Challenge 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