EWOR’s $68M Founder Fellowship Program Now Open
▼ Summary
– EWOR has launched a €60 million fellowship to support early-stage European entrepreneurs, offering €500,000 for a 7% equity stake, surpassing similar initiatives like Harry Stebbings’ Project Europe.
– EWOR’s alumni have achieved significant success, securing between €1 million and €11 million in follow-on funding, with notable exits like Ricky Knox’s Azimo and Tim Seithe’s Tillhub.
– Co-founder Daniel Dippold emphasizes the program’s rapid iteration and flexibility, making it a valuable opportunity for both new and experienced founders to achieve exponential growth.
Europe’s startup ecosystem is witnessing a surge in programs supporting early-stage founders, with EWOR’s new €60 million fellowship emerging as one of the most ambitious initiatives yet. The fund, dubbed “entrepreneurship without risk,” aims to back 35 visionary entrepreneurs annually, offering €500,000 in capital for a 7% equity stake, a significantly larger commitment than comparable programs like Harry Stebbings’ Project Europe.
Selected founders gain more than just funding. The fellowship provides intensive virtual-first support, including weekly mentorship from unicorn founders, access to a network of 2,000 experts, and structured guidance tailored to both ideation-stage and traction-stage startups. The investment itself is structured as €110,000 from EWOR GmbH, supplemented by €390,000 via an uncapped convertible note or similar instrument.
EWOR’s track record speaks volumes. Alumni have reportedly secured between €1 million and €11 million in follow-on funding during their fellowship. The program targets a diverse range of founders—from technical prodigies to serial entrepreneurs, with past success stories including Ricky Knox, who led Azimo and Tandem Bank to nine-figure exits, and Tim Seithe, who bootstrapped Tillhub to a near-€100 million exit.
This year’s cohort already includes standout innovators. Among them is Mark Golab, a Cambridge-based 3D printing specialist applying his expertise to organ transplants through Cambridge Surgical Models, inspired by his own battle with a life-threatening infection. Another fellow, Viktoria Izdebezka of Vienna, is tackling lead generation with her startup Salesy.
What sets EWOR apart? According to co-founder Daniel Dippold, the program operates like a software company, iterating rapidly to deliver maximum value. “We don’t care if you’re at day zero or scaling,” he explains. “The only thing that matters is whether this is the most impactful step a founder can take.”
With applications now open, EWOR’s fellowship represents a rare opportunity for European entrepreneurs to secure not just capital, but a launchpad for exponential growth. Whether you’re a first-time founder or a seasoned operator, the program’s flexible, high-support model could be the catalyst your venture needs.
(Source: TechCrunch)
