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 Princeton Startup Bootcamp and EWOR, it’s worth asking: Are you building for the campus or for the world?
This article breaks down how EWOR and Princeton Startup Bootcamp 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 Princeton Startup Bootcamp 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.
Princeton Startup Bootcamp, Powered by VentureWell, is an intensive workshop designed for Princeton graduate students and postdocs interested in entrepreneurship. This program, offered twice a year, provides a hands-on, market-oriented approach to developing startup ideas. Participants can bring their own ideas or be paired with a team, working on aspects like market potential and business strategy. A unique educational support feature is the opportunity for interdisciplinary collaboration and access to a network of mentors and experts. The program helps participants quickly review essential entrepreneurial concepts and assess the feasibility of their ideas.
In short, while Princeton Startup Bootcamp 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, Princeton Startup Bootcamp 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.
Princeton Startup Bootcamp, powered by VentureWell, offers mentorship as a key component to help students and entrepreneurs scale their ventures. Mentors, often successful founders or industry specialists, provide guidance across various areas. They work closely with startups, sometimes forming part of an advisory board, offering insights and experience to overcome obstacles. Mentors also provide niche advice, troubleshoot problems, and make introductions to their networks, which can lead to strategic partnerships, investors, and customers. This mentor-driven approach provides startups with access to a global network and targeted expertise to help them grow and succeed.
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 Princeton Startup Bootcamp 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.
Princeton Startup Bootcamp, powered by VentureWell, is part of Princeton's broader entrepreneurship ecosystem that helps students and entrepreneurs secure capital. New Ventures at Princeton connects individuals on both sides of the funding equation and organizes various funding opportunities, including the bootcamp. They also advise and connect Princeton-affiliated entrepreneurs to other funding sources on campus and beyond, including Princeton-focused VC firms and angel groups. The bootcamp itself is an intensive workshop designed to prepare startups for investor success by refining business plans and pitches. While the bootcamp focuses on preparation and connections, the wider Princeton network offers various funding avenues like the NSF I-Corps Northeast Hub, which provides grants for customer discovery, and other university-affiliated funds and showcases.
While Princeton Startup Bootcamp 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.
Princeton Startup Bootcamp, powered by VentureWell, offers significant community and networking benefits. It provides an intensive program for graduate students and postdoctoral researchers interested in entrepreneurship, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration. Participants connect with like-minded peers, potential team members, and a network of experienced mentors, faculty advisors, and industry professionals. This network provides valuable advice, introductions, and potential partnerships, accelerating growth and helping navigate the startup landscape. The bootcamp facilitates connections with investors and experts, crucial for developing ideas into viable ventures.
While Princeton Startup Bootcamp 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 Princeton Startup Bootcamp 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.
Princeton Startup Bootcamp, powered by VentureWell, is an intensive program for Princeton graduate students and postdoctoral researchers interested in entrepreneurship. It's considered a selective and prestigious program within the university's entrepreneurial ecosystem. Applicants are chosen based on several criteria, including an Entrepreneur DNA Assessment, their written application, professional background and experience, and input from local leaders. The program focuses on the founders themselves, looking for individuals and teams with the skills, experience, determination, and problem-solving abilities to build a great company. While having an idea is helpful, it's not required, and the program encourages interdisciplinary collaboration.
While Princeton Startup Bootcamp 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 Princeton Startup Bootcamp 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, Princeton Startup Bootcamp 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.
About the Author |
EWOR Team
EWOR is a radically selective fellowship backing the world's top 0.1% of founders. We invest €500,000 per founder and provide intensive, bespoke support from full-time unicorn builders (SumUp, Adjust, ProGlove). Our virtual-first model helps outliers scale faster and smarter anywhere globally, tackling significant challenges and raising substantial follow-on funding.
Stop Reporting Vanity Metrics, Start Focussing on Truth
