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

This article breaks down how EWOR and Wyss Zurich 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 Wyss Zurich 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.

Wyss Zurich is a unique accelerator embedded within ETH Zurich and the University of Zurich, focusing on regenerative medicine, robotics, and medical devices/bionics technologies. It supports translational projects by providing funding for personnel and R&D, including early-phase clinical trials. Projects also gain access to world-class infrastructure and benefit from coaching and mentoring by subject-matter experts. A key feature is the formation of multidisciplinary teams, pooling expertise from various fields. Wyss Zurich also offers unique educational support through programs like BioSTARS, which provides young people with insights into life science research and entrepreneurship through lab camps, workshops, and coaching.

In short, while Wyss Zurich 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, Wyss Zurich 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.

Wyss Zurich offers mentorship through its Faculty Mentors and a network of experts and entrepreneurs in residence. Faculty Mentors, typically professors from ETH Zurich and the University of Zurich, support projects in achieving their objectives, including bringing therapies to the clinic or developing technologies for market. Experts and Entrepreneurs in Residence also provide guidance. Mentors assist students and entrepreneurs with various aspects of venture scaling, such as business development, market entry strategies, fundraising, and navigating regulatory landscapes. They provide tailored advice, share their experience in building and scaling businesses, and connect ventures with relevant industry leaders and investors. This support helps translate research into marketable products and therapies.

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 Wyss Zurich 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.

Wyss Zurich, a joint accelerator by the University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, offers funding to support the translation of scientific discoveries into marketable applications in regenerative medicine, robotics, and medical technologies. They provide funding to cover personnel expenses and translational research and development, including early-phase clinical trials. Beyond direct funding, Wyss Zurich supports students and entrepreneurs by providing access to world-class research facilities, technical expertise, and a network of academic and industry experts. They also offer support in business strategy, design, and analysis to help projects move from concept to clinical or commercial impact. This comprehensive approach helps startups secure the necessary capital and resources for development and commercialization.

While Wyss Zurich 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.

Wyss Zurich fosters a strong community by bringing together talented individuals from various disciplines at ETH Zurich and the University of Zurich. This creates multidisciplinary teams and allows for direct access to broad expertise. Students and entrepreneurs benefit from networking events, workshops, and informal exchanges with researchers, company founders, and industry experts. They can build networks, share ideas, and gain insights into translating research into practical applications. Wyss Zurich actively supports in building networks and creating spin-offs.

While Wyss Zurich 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 Wyss Zurich 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.

Wyss Zurich is a prestigious accelerator embedded within ETH Zurich and the University of Zurich, focusing on translating research in regenerative medicine, robotics, and bionics into practical applications. Its selectivity stems from a rigorous four-step evaluation process for project proposals. Applicants, typically entrepreneurial teams from ETH Zurich and the University of Zurich, are chosen based on several criteria: the project's innovative research background and scientific excellence, its potential to address an unmet medical or technological need, a convincing business model with sound market considerations, and the team's entrepreneurial potential and commitment to continue the project beyond the Wyss Zurich period. The selection process involves screening, scientific assessment by a Scientific Board, evaluation of clinical and commercial potential by an Evaluation Board, and a final decision by the Foundation Board.

While Wyss Zurich 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 Wyss Zurich 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, Wyss Zurich 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