EWOR vs Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation: 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 Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and EWOR, it’s worth asking: Are you building for the campus or for the world?

This article breaks down how EWOR and Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation 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 Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation 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 Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of Chicago offers a range of programs to support entrepreneurs at various stages. These include educational programs, accelerators, and funding opportunities. A key feature is the hands-on learning approach, connecting students, faculty, and community members with resources and networks. Unique support includes access to a large network of mentors, including entrepreneurs and investors, and specialized programs like the New Venture Challenge and accelerators focused on different industries. They also provide resources like co-working space, a fabrication lab, and support for commercializing research. The Polsky Center emphasizes a rigorous, cross-disciplinary approach to entrepreneurship.

In short, while Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation 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, Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation 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.

The Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation offers robust mentorship programs to help students and entrepreneurs scale their ventures. Mentors, including serial entrepreneurs, VCs, and industry experts, provide one-on-one guidance on various aspects of building a business, from refining pitches to structuring cap tables. The Polsky Center facilitates over 1,400 mentorship meetings annually. They also have Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (EIRs) and Investors-in-Residence (IIRs) who are seasoned operators providing critical advice. This extensive network and expert guidance are crucial in helping ventures navigate the challenges of growth and achieve success.

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 Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation 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 Polsky Center offers various funding options for students and entrepreneurs, including competitive prize awards and startup funding through programs like the Edward L. Kaplan, '71, New Venture Challenge (NVC) and the George Shultz Innovation Fund. The NVC is a top-ranked accelerator program that provides investment opportunities, with over $1 million in investment available annually across its five tracks. The George Shultz Innovation Fund specifically invests in IP-based startups from the University of Chicago ecosystem. Additionally, the Polsky Center provides fellowships and scholarships, such as the Polsky Founders' Fund Fellowship (PF3) which offers funding to graduating students working on their ventures. They also have accelerators like the Build and Launch Accelerators, providing funding, coaching, and resources for early-stage and later-stage startups. The Polsky Center also supports deep tech ventures through Polsky Deep Tech Ventures, a fund focused on science and technology innovations. They also facilitate connections with investors through events like Investor Demo Days.

While Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation 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 Polsky Center fosters a strong entrepreneurial community through various avenues. It provides co-working spaces like the Polsky Exchange, where students, alumni, faculty, and community members can connect and collaborate. The center facilitates networking by hosting numerous workshops and events throughout the year. They also offer a robust mentorship program, connecting aspiring entrepreneurs with experienced professionals, investors, and industry experts for one-on-one guidance. Polsky also helps connect students with industry through programs like the New Venture Challenge and opportunities to work with faculty on commercializing research. Additionally, student groups focused on entrepreneurship and venture capital provide further networking opportunities through events and interactions with industry leaders.

While Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation 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 Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation 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 Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of Chicago is a highly-regarded hub for fostering new ventures and commercializing research. It is considered a prestigious center, particularly known for its top-ranked business accelerator, the Edward L. Kaplan, '71, New Venture Challenge (NVC). The NVC is often compared to other prestigious accelerators like Y Combinator and Techstars. While specific acceptance rates for all Polsky Center programs aren't readily available, the NVC is selective. For programs like the I-Corps, applicants typically apply as teams of 2-4 people, often including a scientific/technical lead and an entrepreneurial lead. Criteria for admission to various Polsky Center programs and opportunities, such as the UCGo! Startup License, can include licensing UChicago intellectual property, having a UChicago affiliate as a founder, having a team of at least two members, and demonstrating a viable business plan. Programs like the I-Corps also focus on STEM-based ideas. Overall, the selection process emphasizes the potential for impact and the strength of the team and their proposed venture.

While Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation 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 Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation 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, Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation 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