EWOR vs The Bill Gross Prize for Entrepreneurship: 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 The Bill Gross Prize for Entrepreneurship and EWOR, it’s worth asking: Are you building for the campus or for the world?

This article breaks down how EWOR and The Bill Gross Prize for Entrepreneurship 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 The Bill Gross Prize for Entrepreneurship 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 Bill Gross Prize for Entrepreneurship primarily structures its entrepreneurial support around the Bill Gross Business Plan Competition. This competition invites undergraduate and graduate students to submit business plans for new products, processes, or novel uses of existing technology. Students can participate individually or as teams. A key feature is the mentorship program, where chosen finalists are paired with mentors to help them refine their business plans and prepare for their pitches. Winning teams receive funding and may be considered for internships with Caltech-associated startups. The program aims to foster student innovation and help bring their ideas to fruition.

In short, while The Bill Gross Prize for Entrepreneurship 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, The Bill Gross Prize for Entrepreneurship 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 Bill Gross Prize for Entrepreneurship includes a mentorship program for finalist teams. These mentors, drawn from an industry network, work with students to refine their business models and identify target markets. They also help students perfect their pitches for the competition. This guidance is crucial in helping the student entrepreneurs develop and present their ventures effectively.

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 The Bill Gross Prize for Entrepreneurship 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 Bill Gross Prize for Entrepreneurship primarily offers funding through its Business Plan Competition. Winning teams receive monetary prizes, with a total of $60,000 split among them. In some instances, additional donations have allowed all finalist teams to receive funding. The prize supports students and entrepreneurs by providing this initial capital, which can be awarded directly to individuals or to a legal business entity. When awarded to a company, the funding is often in the form of a "Simple Agreement for Future Equity" (SAFE) note. Beyond funding, the competition also provides valuable mentorship from industry professionals to help finalists refine their business plans and pitches. This combination of funding and guidance helps students and entrepreneurs secure the initial capital and expertise needed to launch their startups.

While The Bill Gross Prize for Entrepreneurship 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 Bill Gross Prize for Entrepreneurship fosters community and networking by providing a platform for students to share their business ideas and connect with experienced professionals. Informational sessions allow students to learn about the competition and network with peers and Bill Gross himself. Finalist teams receive mentorship from industry experts, offering valuable guidance and connections. The competition itself brings together students, judges from the entrepreneurial community, and other attendees, creating opportunities for networking and exposure. Past participants have also gone on to further entrepreneurial programs, expanding their networks.

While The Bill Gross Prize for Entrepreneurship 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 The Bill Gross Prize for Entrepreneurship 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 Bill Gross Prize for Entrepreneurship is a prestigious competition at Caltech that fosters student innovation. It is selective, with a significant number of applications received each year for a limited number of finalist spots. For example, in its inaugural year, 81 entries were narrowed down to 15 finalists. Applicants, who are Caltech undergraduate or graduate students (teams can include recent alumni and students from other institutions with a Caltech lead), submit business plans for novel products, processes, or uses of existing technology. Criteria for selection include concept clarity, problem and impact, solution and value proposition, market potential, competition and differentiation, team and pitch quality, milestones, and use of funds. Finalists receive mentorship before pitching to a panel of judges from the entrepreneurial community. Winning teams receive significant funding and are considered for internships with Caltech-associated startups.

While The Bill Gross Prize for Entrepreneurship 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 The Bill Gross Prize for Entrepreneurship 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, The Bill Gross Prize for Entrepreneurship 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