General
What is EWOR?
EWOR is a place where the most extraordinary people find the mentorship, network, and capital to build (€1BN+) tech companies that matter on a global scale.
Collectively, the partners of EWOR have built companies worth over €12BN, including Adjust, Felyx, ProGlove, SumUp and united-domains. We’ve lived the highs and lows of scaling companies and bring battle-tested experience to your cap table – as peers, not investors.
What can you expect from the EWOR Fellowship?
EWOR provides access to the world’s best investors (fellows raise on average €2.7M after our Grand Pitch), the world’s best talent, and a custom personal/founder development programme.
Every fellow gets hands-on support through a virtual-first model that includes 1:1 mentorship with one of the EWOR Partners, tailored learning modules, and access to a curated network of 1,500+ mentors, investors, and industry experts.
You’ll join a community of outliers who are shaping the future of energy storage, developing cutting-edge AI for drug discovery, building next-gen nuclear reactors, and raising the largest DeepTech pre-seed round Europe has ever seen.
We offer two paths:
- The Ideation Fellowship which supports entrepreneurs as early as pre-idea
- The Traction Fellowship which supports entrepreneurs with first (revenue) traction
The fellowships are virtual, but include regular in-person gatherings around the world, up to two months of co-working each year at scenic spots, a two-month San Francisco residency, and invite-only events.
Which fellowship should I choose?
If you're applying without any (revenue) traction – or you're still in the ideation phase of your startup – the Ideation Fellowship is the right fit for you. EWOR’s main role is to help you find product-market-fit, determine the right ICP, and make smart pivot decisions.
If you already have initial (revenue) traction and are preparing to scale your company and your first (institutional) fundraising round, the Traction Fellowship is the right fit for you. EWOR’s main role is to amplify you: More funding, faster customer growth, structuring your tech more scalably, etc.
How does the application and selection process work?
Our application is short and straightforward—most people finish it in just 15 to 20 minutes.
We review applications and accept fellows on a rolling basis for both fellowships. Once you submit, you can expect to hear from us within two weeks about the next steps.
We highly encourage applications within the application cycle, as we can dedicate more resources to reviewing applications and making faster decisions.
Are there any fees?
There are no cash fees for the EWOR Fellowships. There is a tuition fee of 3% for the Ideation Fellowship and no tuition fee for the Traction Fellowship. Moreover, EWOR may invest in the companies on pre-defined terms.
What is the language of the Fellowships?
Our fellowships are run entirely in English to support our diverse, international community of founders.
The Ideation Fellowship
What is the EWOR Ideation Fellowship?
If you don’t have initial (revenue) traction yet, the EWOR Ideation Fellowship is designed to help you find product-market-fit, determine the right ICP, make smart pivot decisions and to get you ready for the first angel/institutional funding round.
Our partners—who’ve built some of Europe’s most successful startups such as SumUp and ProGlove—know what it takes to launch and scale a company. During the fellowship, you’ll work 1:1 with one of them to ideate a venture that can, in theory, achieve €1BN+ in valuation and kick-off the first steps, such as raising a huge funding round and onboarding first customers.
Example:
Within 12 months of the Ideation Fellowship, we have ideated an accounting automation case with our fellow Ariel Harmoko and helped him scale the business, Artifact AI, to €1M ARR and raised a €4M round, led by A16Z and followed by 8 unicorn and decacorn founders.
You’ll also get access to our custom-built learning modules, a library of resources and templates, exclusive perks like software discounts and service credits, and direct connections to our co-founder network and mentoring platform. As an Ideation Fellow, you’ll join a vibrant community of exceptional founders and get invited to both virtual and in-person EWOR events.
Do I need a business idea to apply?
No, but existing ideas are a great starting point to ideate from. 99% of our selection will be focused on you as a person and your ability to launch a venture of great global scale.
Do I need to have a startup entity incorporated yet?
No. If you have not incorporated a startup entity yet, we ask you to take the necessary steps within 18 months after being accepted into the EWOR Ideation Fellowship. EWOR will not cover the costs associated with this company formation.
What is the difference between the Ideation and Traction Fellowship?
The EWOR Ideation Fellowship is built for founders who haven’t yet hit early traction. It helps you take your idea from concept to launch. Selected fellows can receive up to €300k in funding, and if we invest, we take 3% equity as a tuition fee.
The EWOR Traction Fellowship is for founders who already have early traction—whether that’s revenue, active users, pilot projects, initial patents, or built hardware. If accepted, you’ll receive €500k in funding right from the start. There’s no tuition fee.
If you're still validating your idea or looking for product-market-fit, apply for Ideation.
If you're ready to grow fast and raise the first financing round, apply for Traction.
Where can I apply to the EWOR Ideation Fellowship?
Please use the application form on our website to apply for our fellowships. Applicants typically take 15 to 20 minutes to complete it.
Are you looking for founders to develop their ideas in a specific industry or technology sector?
We welcome founders from all industries and tech sectors. Our focus is on early-stage startups with the potential for rapid growth and large-scale impact.
How many founders do you accept?
Each year, we select roughly 35 to 40 new startups to join EWOR.
What are the benefits of the EWOR Fellowships?
We provide as much value as an experienced full-time co-founder by blending scientific insight, real-world experience, and deep empathy for a founder's journey.
During the fellowship, you’ll work closely with one of the EWOR Partners, e.g. the founders of SumUp (€8BN) and Adjust (€1.2BN exit), whom you have access to every day if necessary, and who will coach you on key strategic business decisions and personal development topics.
You’ll also gain access to our in-house-built modules which help you hire the best talent, get more customers, and raise more money. For example, we run a Grand Pitch that is designed to help you raise your first funding round, with fellows typically raising between €1-€11M afterwards.
There are hundreds of resources and templates , exclusive discounts, credits for top software and service providers, and direct connections to our co-founder network and mentoring platform. As an Ideation Fellow, you’ll join a vibrant community of outlier founders and get invited to both online and in-person EWOR Community events.
We foster an active community and regular in-person gatherings around the world, up to two months of co-working each year at scenic spots, a two-month San Francisco residency, and invite-only events. Every fellow gets hands-on support through a virtual-first model that includes 1:1 mentorship, tailored learning modules, and access to a curated network of 1,500+ mentors, investors, and industry experts.
Are there any tuition fees for the Ideation Fellowship?
If we decide to invest, EWOR will receive 3% of the equity in the (future) startup entity as a tuition fee. EWOR GmbH will acquire the shares either at nominal value or through a Convertible Loan Agreement (or a similar instrument) that will convert into shares of the most senior class of equity in the startup entity during a subsequent financing round.
If the founder does not establish a startup entity within 18 months from the start of the Fellowship, and if EWOR does not exercise its investment option within that same period, the tuition fee will be waived. If EWOR exercises its investment option the founder must establish a startup entity within 30 days of notice. The 3% tuition fee is payable only once, regardless of the number of co-founders.
Apart from the 3% that the EWOR is receiving, are there any other shareholding privileges allocated to any third party?
There are no additional equity allocations to third parties.
Do you offer funding?
Once accepted into the Ideation Fellowship you can receive up to €300k in funding. EWOR has the option to invest up to €65k at a €1.0M post-money cap and up to an additional €265k on an uncapped SAFE Note - or a similar instrument - with a MFN (most-favored-nation) clause.* Our investment option expires 18 months after you’ve been accepted to the fellowship.
Please note that not all Ideation Fellows receive investment.
* Up to €65k is being invested through EWOR GmbH, Berlin, our operational entity running the EWOR Startup Academy. An additional up to €265k is being invested through a Luxembourg-based investment fund.
What happens if I do not end up founding a company?
If you do not end up founding a company, our 3% tuition fee is waived and you do not receive investment from EWOR.
If EWOR decides to exercise its investment option the founder must establish a startup entity within 30 days of notice.
The Traction Fellowship
What is the EWOR Traction Fellowship?
For those who already launched their startup with initial (revenue) traction, the EWOR Traction Fellowship is designed to help them scale their startup.
During the fellowship, you’ll work closely with one of the EWOR Partners, e.g. the founders of SumUp (€8BN) and Adjust (€1.2BN exit), whom you have access to every day if necessary, and who will coach you on key strategic business decisions and personal development topics.
You’ll also gain access to our in-house-built modules which help you hire the best talent, get more customers, and raise more money. For example, we run a Grand Pitch that is designed to help you raise your first funding round, with Fellows typically raising between €1-€11M afterwards. Only 3 months into the EWOR Fellowship, Jörgen Tveit has raised a €11M funding round, the largest-ever pre-seed round in Europe by a first-time founder.
There are hundreds of resources and templates, exclusive discounts, credits for top software and service providers, and direct connections to our co-founder network and mentoring platform. As a Traction Fellow, you’ll join a vibrant community of outlier founders and get invited to both online and in-person EWOR Community events.
How soon can I expect a response after submitting my application?
We strive to respond to your application within two weeks. During the application cycle, we can dedicate more resources to reviewing your application.
Can I apply to the EWOR Fellowships if I already have a startup?
Yes, the Traction Fellowship is designed for those who have already launched their startup.
What is the difference between the Ideation and Traction Fellowships?
The EWOR Ideation Fellowship is built for founders who haven’t yet hit early traction. It helps you take your idea from concept to launch. Selected fellows can receive up to €300k in funding, and if we invest, we take 3% equity as a tuition fee.
The EWOR Traction Fellowship is for founders who already have early traction—whether that’s revenue, active users, pilot projects, initial patents, or built hardware. If accepted, you’ll receive €500k in funding right from the start. There’s no tuition fee.
If you're still validating your idea or looking for product-market-fit, apply for Ideation.
If you're ready to grow fast and raise the first financing round, apply for Traction.
Where can I apply to the EWOR Traction Fellowship?
Please use the application form on our website to apply for our Fellowships. Applicants typically take 15 to 20 minutes to complete the questionnaire.
Can I apply with my co-founder?
Sure! We encourage you to choose one person to apply (preferably the CEO or CTO) and list all other co-founders in the application form. There is no need to apply twice for the same startup. Once admitted, your co-founder(s) are able to join the fellowship as well.
What are the benefits of the EWOR Traction Fellowship?
We provide as much value as an experienced full-time co-founder by blending scientific insight, real-world experience, and deep empathy for a founder's journey.
During the fellowship, you’ll work closely with one of the EWOR Partners, e.g. the founders of SumUp (€8BN) and Adjust (€1.2BN exit), whom you have access to every day if necessary, and who will coach you on key strategic business decisions and personal development topics.
You’ll also gain access to our in-house-built modules which help you hire the best talent, get more customers, and raise more money. For example, we run a Grand Pitch that is designed to help you raise your first funding round, with fellows typically raising between €1-€11M afterwards. Only 3 months into the EWOR Fellowship, Jörgen Tveit has raised a €11M funding round, the largest-ever pre-seed round in Europe by a first-time founder.
There are hundreds of resources and templates, exclusive discounts, credits for top software and service providers, and direct connections to our co-founder network and mentoring platform. As a Traction Fellow, you’ll join a vibrant community of outlier founders and get invited to both online and in-person EWOR Community events.
We foster an active community and regular in-person gatherings around the world, up to two months of co-working each year at scenic spots, a two-months San Francisco residency, and exclusive invite-only events. Every fellow gets hands-on support through a virtual-first model that includes 1:1 mentorship, tailored learning modules, and access to a curated network of 1,500+ mentors, investors, and industry experts.
From what industries or technology sectors do you accept companies?
We welcome founders from all industries and tech sectors. Our focus is on early-stage startups with the potential for rapid growth and large-scale impact.
How many founders do you accept?
Each year, we select roughly 35 to 40 new startups to join EWOR.
What is the Grand Pitch?
The EWOR Grand Pitch is a bi-annual event where you’ll pitch your startup to a curated audience of top-tier VCs, family offices, and superangels. Fellows typically raise between €1M and €11M, typically pre-seed and Seed.
The event is hosted both online and in-person. Past live editions have taken place at major conferences like Bits & Pretzels and START Summit, while the online version regularly draws over 400 high-profile investors.
To help you shine, you’ll be coached by your EWOR Partner along with a public speaking expert, pitch deck designer, and someone from our investment team. For many fellows, the Grand Pitch has been a game-changer—leading to oversubscribed rounds and cutting fundraising time by over 80%.
Are there any tuition fees?
There is no tuition fee for the Traction Fellowship. EWOR is investing €500k once accepted to the Traction Fellowship.
All Traction Fellows receive an investment.
Do you offer funding?
Once accepted into the Traction Fellowship, you will receive a total of €500k. We will invest €110k at a €1.5M post-money cap, along with an additional €390k through an uncapped SAFE Note - or a similar instrument - with a MFN (most-favored-nation) clause.*
* €110k is being invested through EWOR GmbH, Berlin, our operational entity running the EWOR Startup Academy. An additional €390kis being invested through a Luxembourg-based investment fund.
Does EWOR take equity in my company?
Once accepted into the Traction Fellowship, EWOR invests a total of €500k. We will invest €110k at a €1.5M post-money valuation cap (which gives us 7,33%), along with an additional €390k through an uncapped SAFE Note (or a similar instrument) with a MFN (most-favored-nation) clause.*
* €110k is being invested through EWOR GmbH, Berlin, our operational entity running the EWOR Startup Academy. An additional €390k is being invested through a Luxembourg-based investment fund.
Legal
Can I receive EWOR’s investment if I already raised funding?
Yes, we often invest in startups that have already raised funding, e.g. from angel investors or micro VCs. Our €500k investment* is designed to accelerate you and provide us with a meaningful stake in your startup. Our investment terms stay the same—regardless of any prior capital you've raised.
* €500k investment in case of the Traction Fellowship. Up to €300k investment in case of the Ideation Fellowship.
Is the investment tied to specific deliverables during the fellowship?
No, the investment is not conditional upon meeting milestones or deliverables during the fellowship. Once accepted into the Traction Fellowship, the full investment of €500k is made regardless of your pace of progress during the programme. In case of the Ideation Fellowship you can receive up to €300k in funding (optional).
How does the SAFE Note - or other Convertibles - work?
A SAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity) — or other convertible instruments like a CLA (Convertible Loan Agreement) or ASA (Advanced Subscription Agreement) — is a type of early-stage investment where we provide funding now in exchange for equity later, typically when your company raises its next priced round.
At EWOR, we invest €110k through a SAFE Note or a similar instrument at a post-money valuation cap of €1.5 million. This means we’ll receive about 7.33% ownership when the SAFE converts. The remaining €390k is invested through an uncapped convertible instrument, meaning the equity we receive from that money tranche will be based on the valuation of your next funding round.
Depending on where your company is incorporated, we'll select the appropriate convertible instrument (e.g., SAFEs for the US, CLAs for France, Spain, the Netherlands, and DACH, or ASAs for the UK). While the legal structures may differ slightly, the commercial terms stay the same.
Does my startup need to be incorporated in a specific country to receive EWOR's investment?
No, you don’t need to change your current incorporation. We invest globally and are experienced in working across different legal systems and jurisdictions.
That said, for future fundraising, it can be helpful to incorporate in more investor-friendly jurisdictions like a Delaware C-Corp, UK Ltd, German GmbH, or Swiss GmbH/AG. These structures are more familiar to international investors and can streamline follow-on funding. We're happy to advise you based on your goals and the types of investors you're targeting.
How does the MFN (Most-Favored Nation) clause work?
The MFN (Most-Favored Nation) clause ensures that the uncapped SAFE (or similar convertible) will convert in your next priced equity round on the most favourable terms offered to any other convertible investor between our investment date and that round.
This means:
If you issue another SAFE - or similar instrument - with a valuation cap or a discount to new investors before your priced round (but after we came in), our SAFE will automatically adopt the lowest cap or best terms offered during that period.
At the priced round, our SAFE converts into equity based on those terms. Just like other early investors, our ownership will be proportionally diluted by the new equity round.