The EWOR Pre-idea Fellowship is designed to help you conceptualise and launch an impactful venture.
70% of our graduates start a successful venture
Up to 150k € investment from EWOR, millions potentially raised afterwards *Not all fellows will receive investments
50 carefully selected EWOR Fellows so far
For those who don’t have traction yet, the EWOR Pre-Idea Fellowship turns aspiring founders into successful entrepreneurs.
The EWOR Fellowships can be completed online from anywhere and do not require relocation. However, there is an EWOR Co-Working Hub in Berlin, which Fellows can join. Unfortunately, we cannot assist talents with visa processes or relocation to Germany.
At EWOR, we pride ourselves on our reliable and supportive network of successful entrepreneurs who function as speakers and mentors alike. With over 140 past and present Fellows, all EWOR Fellowship participants are part of this vast network.
We invest in the best start-ups of our Fellows. We invest up to €150k at a valuation cap (post-money) of €1,0m for the pre-idea Fellowship and €1,5m for the post-idea Fellowship.
What is the difference?
What is the difference between EWOR and Y Combinator, TechStars, and other start-up accelerator programmes?
Our leadership team has successfully built and sold fast growing tech companies.
EWOR is for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs.
We, the 4 EWOR partners, have founded and sold our companies for an exit value of €2BN+ collectively.
While we invest more money than TechStars and as much money as Y Combinator into our Fellows, we start earlier, help them ideate, and prioritise education, networking, and mentoring.
Our acceptance rate is lower than that of comparable programmes because we prioritise quality over quantity. This is the only way to offer the type of dedication and customisation we are aiming for.
The Pre-idea Fellowship helps you to launch a venture from scratch. We help you move from problem to idea to successful start-up within 6 months.
You should be ready to go full-time latest once your first cheque is signed. More info here >
The Post-idea Fellowship gets you from a validated idea with first traction to a successful multi-million funding round.
You should be ready to go full-time latest once your first cheque is signed. More info here >
Not sure which EWOR Fellowship is the right fit for you?
Compare Fellowships by detailed benefits & requirements here
COMPARE FELLOWSHIPSThe Pre-idea Fellowship helps you to launch a venture from scratch. We help you move from problem to idea to successful start-up within 6 months.
You should be ready to go full-time latest once your first cheque is signed. More info here >
The Post-idea Fellowship gets you from a validated idea with first traction to a successful multi-million funding round.
You should be ready to go full-time latest once your first cheque is signed. More info here >
Not sure which EWOR Fellowship is the right fit for you?
Compare Fellowships by detailed benefits & requirements here
COMPARE FELLOWSHIPSA glimpse into our Network
Alex Grots is the co-founder and CCO of EWOR.
Managing Director (EU) at IDEO.
Alex is one of the co-inventors of Design Thinking.
Founder of ProGlove (half-billion € exit).
A theoretical mathematician (Cambridge, ETH, St. Gallen), coder, and entrepreneur.
Founder of NEWNOW Group (€1 Mio sales within first year).
Founder of Sigma Squared Society (world’s largest youth entrepreneurship community).
Founder of Emoti (tech sold).
Florian Huber is the founder of united-domains (sold to 1&1 Groupsold to 1&1 group for multi-hundred million), neubau kompass AG, and Signature Ventures (VC).
He is Business Angel of the Year and invested in more than 50 tech startups.
Paul is the co-founder of Adjust (€1.2BN exit), which powers thousands of apps with built-in intelligence and automation, backed by responsive global customer support.
Paul is a prominent angel investor and race car enthusiast.
Valerie Bures founded Mrs.Sporty and is among the top 5 of Europe’s most successful female entrepreneurs.
Renaud Visage founded Eventbrite (€2BN IPO).
Felix Haas founded IDNow (unicorn), Bits & Pretzels and multiple other successful ventures.
Lubomila Jordanova founded Plan A which provides an award-winning science and AI-powered SaaS platform for carbon accounting, decarbonisation and ESG reporting for businesses.
Co-Founder of Greentech Alliance.
MIT Under 35 Innovator.
Nicolas De Santis founded Beenz (the first-ever web currency prior to blockchain).
Founder of Opodo (€1.2 BN in sales).
He is one of the co-shapers of the Euro.
Founder & CEO of Corporate Vision.
Christian Kroll founded Ecosia, which is Europe’s largest search engine after Google and planted over 186 million trees.
Vaitea Cowan is the Co-Founder of Enapter (640 MN IPO), an energy startup that is rendering green hydrogen cheaper than fossil fuels.
She is on the Forbes Under 30 in Energy 2020 list.
Amar Shah founded wayve.ai, an autonomous-driving unicorn valued at €1BN+ with Bill Gates driving in one of their cars.
Sidar Sahin founded Peak Games (€1.8BN exit).
Max von Bismarck is a European serial entrepreneur.
He is Chief Business Officer & Managing Director of Raisin DS, which is a European FinTech Unicorn.
Jens is founder of KW Commerce which he bootstrapped to $100 Mio in turnover.
Jens was Managing Director of SellerX (unicorn), is a board member of Oetker Digital and founder of Scale Invest.
Patrick Nathen founded Lilium, which raised €1.1 BN.
David Rowan is founding Editor-in-chief of WIRED UK, investor in more than 80 startups (7 unicorns) and founded VOYAGERS, including their Climate-Tech and Health-Tech Funds.
Andrej Henkler is a serial entrepreneur who invested in over 15 unicorns.
Ricardo Pires is CEO of billion-dollar conglomerate Semapa, and an active investor, e.g. in the world-renowned investment firm Lakestar.
Eric Steinberger is the Co-founder and CEO of ClimateScience and magic.dev (€30 Mio raised).
Eric has worked at MIT and Facebook AI – before completing his first year at the University of Cambridge.
Alex Grots is the co-founder and CCO of EWOR. was a Managing Director (EU) at IDEO, is one of the co-inventors of Design Thinking, and founded ProGlove (half-billion € exit).
Alex Grots is the co-founder and CCO of EWOR. was a Managing Director (EU) at IDEO, is one of the co-inventors of Design Thinking, and founded ProGlove (half-billion € exit).
Daniel Dippold founded NEWNOW Group (€1 Mio sales within first year), Sigma Squared Society (world’s largest youth entrepreneurship community), and Emoti (tech sold).
Daniel Dippold founded, NEWNOW Group (€1 Mio sales within first year), Sigma Squared Society (world’s largest youth entrepreneurship community), and Emoti (tech sold).
Florian Huber is the founder of united-domains (sold to 1&1 Group), neubau kompass AG, and Signature Ventures (VC). He is Business Angel of the Year and invested in more than 50 tech startups.
Florian Huber is the founder of united-domains (sold to 1&1 Group), neubau kompass AG, and Signature Ventures (VC). He is Business Angel of the Year and invested in more than 50 tech startups.
Paul is the co-founder of Adjust, which powers thousands of apps with built-in intelligence and automation, backed by responsive global customer support. Paul is a prominent angel investor and race car enthusiast.
Paul is the co-founder of Adjust, which powers thousands of apps with built-in intelligence and automation, backed by responsive global customer support. Paul is a prominent angel investor and race car enthusiast.
Lubomila Jordanova founded Plan A which provides an award-winning science and AI-powered SaaS platform for carbon accounting, decarbonisation and ESG reporting for businesses.
Lubomila Jordanova founded Plan A which provides an award-winning science and AI-powered SaaS platform for carbon accounting, decarbonisation and ESG reporting for businesses.
Nicolas De Santis founded Beenz (the first-ever web currency prior to blockchain), Opodo (€1.2 BN in sales), is one of the co-shapers of the Euro, and the founder & CEO of Corporate Vision.
Nicolas De Santis founded Beenz (the first-ever web currency prior to blockchain), Opodo (€1.2 BN in sales), is one of the co-shapers of the Euro, and the founder & CEO of Corporate Vision.
Vaitea Cowan is the Co-Founder of Enapter, an energy startup that is rendering green hydrogen cheaper than fossil fuels. She is on the Forbes Under 30 in Energy 2020 list.
Vaitea Cowan is the Co-Founder of Enapter, an energy startup that is rendering green hydrogen cheaper than fossil fuels. She is on the Forbes Under 30 in Energy 2020 list.
Max von Bismarck is a European serial entrepreneur. He is Chief Business Officer & Managing Director of Deposit Solutions, an Open Banking pioneer building the new industry standard for the global USD 50 trillion savings deposit market.
Max von Bismarck is a European serial entrepreneur. He is Chief Business Officer & Managing Director of Deposit Solutions, an Open Banking pioneer building the new industry standard for the global USD 50 trillion savings deposit market.
Jens is founder of KW Commerce which he bootstrapped to $100 Mio in turnover. Jens was Managing Director of SellerX (unicorn), is a board member of Oetker Digital and founder of Scale Invest.
Jens is founder of KW Commerce which he bootstrapped to $100 Mio in turnover. Jens was Managing Director of SellerX (unicorn), is a board member of Oetker Digital and founder of Scale Invest.
David Rowan is founding Editor-in-chief of WIRED UK, investor in more than 80 startups (7 unicorns) and founded VOYAGERS, including their Climate-Tech and Health-Tech Funds.
David Rowan is founding Editor-in-chief of WIRED UK, investor in more than 80 startups (7 unicorns) and founded VOYAGERS, including their Climate-Tech and Health-Tech Funds.
Ricardo Pires is CEO of billion-dollar conglomerate Semapa, and an active investor, e.g. in the world-renowned investment firm Lakestar.
Ricardo Pires is CEO of billion-dollar conglomerate Semapa, and an active investor, e.g. in the world-renowned investment firm Lakestar.
Eric Steinberger is the Co-founder and CEO of ClimateScience and magic.dev (€10 Mio raised). Eric has worked at MIT and Facebook AI – before completing his first year at the University of Cambridge.
Eric Steinberger is the Co-founder and CEO of ClimateScience and magic.dev (€10 Mio raised). Eric has worked at MIT and Facebook AI – before completing his first year at the University of Cambridge.
Alex Grots is the co-founder and CCO of EWOR. was a Managing Director (EU) at IDEO, is one of the co-inventors of Design Thinking, and founded ProGlove (half-billion € exit).
Florian Huber is the founder of united-domains (sold to 1&1 Group), neubau kompass AG, and Signature Ventures (VC). He is Business Angel of the Year and invested in more than 50 tech startups.
Daniel Dippold founded NEWNOW Group (€1 Mio sales within first year), Sigma Squared Society (world’s largest youth entrepreneurship community), and Emoti (tech sold).
Paul is the co-founder of Adjust (add €1.2BN exit), which powers thousands of apps with built-in intelligence and automation, backed by responsive global customer support.
Paul is a prominent angel investor and race car enthusiast.
Valerie Bures founded Mrs.Sporty and is among the top 5 of Europe’s most successful female entrepreneurs.
Renaud Visage founded Eventbrite (€2BN IPO).
Felix Haas founded IDNow (unicorn), Bits & Pretzels and multiple other successful ventures.
Lubomila Jordanova founded Plan A which provides an award-winning science and AI-powered SaaS platform for carbon accounting, decarbonisation and ESG reporting for businesses.
Co-Founder of Greentech Alliance.
MIT Under 35 Innovator.
Nicolas De Santis founded Beenz (the first-ever web currency prior to blockchain).
Founder of Opodo (€1.2 BN in sales).
He is one of the co-shapers of the Euro.
Founder & CEO of Corporate Vision.
Christian Kroll founded Ecosia, which is Europe’s largest search engine after Google and planted over 186 million trees.
Vaitea Cowan is the Co-Founder of Enapter (640 MN IPO), an energy startup that is rendering green hydrogen cheaper than fossil fuels.
She is on the Forbes Under 30 in Energy 2020 list.
Amar Shah founded wayve.ai, an autonomous-driving unicorn valued at €1BN+ with Bill Gates driving in one of their cars.
Sidar Sahin founded Peak Games (€1.8BN exit).
Alex Schwörer is the owner of PERI - one of the world’s leading suppliers of scaffolding systems - which has 70 international subsidiaries and employs over 9,400 people worldwide. He is also an active angel with an incredible eye for spotting future leaders.
Jens is founder of KW Commerce which he bootstrapped to $100 Mio in turnover.
Jens was Managing Director of SellerX (unicorn), is a board member of Oetker Digital and founder of Scale Invest.
Alex Schwörer is the owner of PERI - one of the world’s leading suppliers of scaffolding systems - which has 70 international subsidiaries and employs over 9,400 people worldwide. He is also an active angel with an incredible eye for spotting future leaders.
Max von Bismarck is a European serial entrepreneur. He is Chief Business Officer & Managing Director of Deposit Solutions, an Open Banking pioneer building the new industry standard for the global USD 50 trillion savings deposit market.
Andrej Henkler is a serial entrepreneur who invested in over 15 unicorns.
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What is the EWOR Pre-Idea Fellowship?For those who don’t have traction for their business idea yet, the EWOR Pre-Idea Fellowship turns an aspiring entrepreneur into a successful tech entrepreneur.
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Do I need a business idea to apply?Ideally yes. The EWOR Pre-Idea Fellowship is designed for those who don’t have traction for their business idea yet. It’s remote-first and turns an aspiring entrepreneur into a business owner.
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What is the difference between the Pre-Idea and Post-Idea Fellowship?For those who don’t have traction for their business idea yet, the EWOR Pre-Idea Fellowship turns an aspiring entrepreneur into a business owner. For those who do already have traction, the EWOR Post-Idea Fellowship is designed to help them scale their venture. The Post-Idea Fellowship is split into two phases to make it the most effective. As founders of some of the most successful companies in Europe, our lecturers and mentors have all learned first-hand what it takes to succeed in the business world. They give engaging live lectures in phase one, while the second phase gives EWOR members access to hundreds of resources on our platform, network, and feedback sessions with our mentors.
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What is the time commitment for the EWOR Pre-Idea Fellowship?The EWOR Pre-Idea Fellowship is pursued full-time or part-time by our talents, depending on their preferences.
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Where can I apply to the EWOR Pre-Idea Fellowship?Please use the application form on our website to apply for our Fellowships. It’s an extensive questionnaire that inquires about your experiences, motivations, and qualifications. Applicants typically take at least 30 minutes to complete the questionnaire.
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Are you looking for talents to develop their ideas in a specific industry?While we encourage the development of impactful ventures in areas like green tech, health tech, machine learning, or artificial intelligence, we do not limit ourselves and our talent pool to a specific industry.
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How many talents do you accept?Our selection committee consists of successful serial entrepreneurs and startup investors - including several unicorn founders. The EWOR Fellowships have an acceptance rate of 1%.
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What are the benefits to the EWOR Fellowships?Once you’re accepted to one of EWOR’s Fellowships, you will be placed in a cohort of impressive and ambitious entrepreneurial talents. Together, you will go through the EWOR Education to learn about entrepreneurship. Your cohort will be able to provide you feedback on your work, support you when things are tough, and become your friends.On our platform, you will find resources such as pitch deck templates, financial models, and contract templates. In addition, you will have access to our vetted pool of mentors and experts consisting of unicorn founders and investors.You’ll become part of an amazing community of (aspiring) entrepreneurs and be invited to events like the EWOR Festival and the EWOR Houses.
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What time are the live sessions? Do I need to attend them?The live sessions are in the late afternoon or early evening CET time, but you will receive information on your schedule during the onboarding process.We do expect our Fellows to be present for these input and feedback sessions. However, we understand that in some cases, circumstances will keep talents from participating.
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Are there any tuition fees for the Pre-Idea Fellowship?In place of formal tuition fees, EWOR takes 3% equity in companies that talents build by the end of the Pre-Idea Fellowship. In addition, EWOR will invest up to €150k in selected start-ups at €1,0M post-money valuation cap.
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Apart from the 3% that the EWOR is receiving, are there any other shareholding privileges allocated to any third party?Typically, there are no additional equity allocations to third parties.
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Do you offer funding?In place of formal tuition fees, EWOR takes 3% equity in companies that talents build by the end of the Pre-Idea Fellowship. In addition, EWOR will invest up to €150k in selected start-ups at €1,0M post-money valuation cap.
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Do you take equity in my company?In place of formal tuition fees, EWOR takes 3% equity in companies that talents build by the end of the Pre-Idea Fellowship. In addition, EWOR will invest up to €150k in selected start-ups at €1,0M post-money valuation cap.
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What happens if I do not end up founding a company?If you do not end up founding a company, EWOR will not require any equity from you.