For those who don’t have a business idea yet, the EWOR Pre-Idea Fellowship is an entirely remote 10-month programme that turns an aspiring founder into a successful tech entrepreneur. Fellows choose one of two models: build their own start-up with a corporate partner (M1) or be a founder’s associate at a venture-backed start-up (M2).

The EWOR Pre-Idea Fellowship is designed for those who don’t have a business idea yet. It’s a remote-first 10-month programme that turns an aspiring entrepreneur into a business owner. Fellows choose one of two models: build their own start-up with a corporate partner (M1) or be a founder’s associate at a venture-backed start-up (M2).

The EWOR Pre-Idea Fellowship is a 10-month programme that talents pursue full-time or part-time, depending on the model they choose.For the corporate partner model (M1), talents spend about 20 hours per week working on developing their venture idea and work with a corporate partner.If a Fellow decides to become a founder’s associate (M2), they will commit to 20 hours per week to work at a venture-backed start-up and learn what it looks like to be a founder. During this time, Fellows will also spend 20 hours per week to build their own company.

For those who don’t have a business idea yet, the EWOR Pre-Idea Fellowship is an entirely remote 10-month programme that turns an aspiring entrepreneur into a business owner.  Fellows choose one of two models: build their own start-up with a corporate partner (M1) or be a founder’s associate at a venture-backed start-up (M2).For those who do have a business idea or already launched their start-up, the EWOR Post-Idea Fellowship is designed to help them scale their venture.The 6-month Post-Idea programme 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.

The EWOR Pre-Idea Fellowship is a 10-month programme that talents pursue full-time or part-time, depending on the model they choose.For the corporate partner model (M1), talents spend about 20 hours per week working on developing their venture idea and work with a corporate partner.If a Fellow decides to become a founder’s associate (M2), they will commit to 20 hours per week to work at a venture-backed start-up and learn what it looks like to be a founder. During this time, Fellows will also spend 20 hours per week to build their own company.

Please use the application form on our website to apply for our programmes. It’s an extensive questionnaire that inquires about your experiences, motivations, and qualifications. Applicants typically take at least 30 minutes to complete the questionnaire.

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.

Our selection committee consists of successful serial entrepreneurs and startup investors - including several unicorn founders. The EWOR Fellowships have an acceptance rate of 1%.

Once you’re accepted to one of EWOR’s programmes, 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.

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.

In model 1, you will collaborate with one of our corporate partners, such as Lufthansa or Schimmer GmbH. This model requires at least 20 hours (ideally more) of your time. For the remainder of your time, you can continue working at your current job or find a different part-time position. The challenge you will work on is co-designed by EWOR and the corporate partner. You will work on this challenge independently of the corporate partner and will not be employed by them. However, they can provide you with lots of industry knowledge, interview contacts, and potentially even be your first customer.

Model 2 requires your full-time commitment. You will choose one of the challenges that are co-designed by EWOR and our affiliated mentors and experts. If none of the proposed challenges is a good fit for you, we can work with you to define a tailor-made challenge. You will work on this challenge for ~20 hours per week. In addition, we will introduce you to entrepreneurs in our network for a founder's associate role. The compensation for this role will be approximately €1,500 per month for 20 hours per week.

Before you start the programme, you’ll choose between Model 1 and Model 2 of the EWOR Pre-Idea Fellowship. Since corporate partners and other founders are part of this cooperation, you cannot switch between models during the Fellowship.

For Model 2 we will have limited spots available and ask you to please be sure that you can commit full-time if you decide to select this option.

Before you start the programme, you’ll choose between Model 1 and Model 2 of the EWOR Pre-Idea Fellowship. Since corporate partners and other founders are part of this cooperation, you cannot switch between models during the Fellowship.

The challenge you will work on is co-designed by EWOR and the corporate partner. You will work on this challenge independently of the corporate partner and will not be employed by them. However, they can provide you with lots of industry knowledge, interview contacts, and potentially even be your first customer.

The innovation challenges will be defined at the beginning of your Pre-Idea Fellowship and depend on your partners and interests. From social impact to machine learning, these challenging prompts inspire talents to think outside the box and come up with innovative solutions to current problems.

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 €75k to €150k in selected start-ups at €1,0M post-money valuation cap.

Typically, there are no additional equity allocations to third parties. However, this arrangement can depend on the corporate partner and will be discussed with full transparency at the beginning of the Pre-Idea Fellowship.

If a Fellow decides to become a founder’s associate (M2), they will commit to 20 hours per week to work at a venture-backed start-up and learn what it takes to be a founder. During this time, Fellows will also spend 20 hours per week to build their own company.Model 2 is a paid opportunity, while Model 1 is unpaid. 

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 €75k to €150k in selected start-ups at €1,0M post-money valuation cap.

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 €75k to €150k in selected start-ups at €1,0M post-money valuation cap.

If you do not end up founding a company, EWOR will not require any equity from you.