EWOR, a Germany-based founder fellowship, has rapidly become a game-changer in the world of startup accelerators. With a bold €60 million commitment, EWOR is dedicated to supporting the most extraordinary new founders. Unlike traditional accelerators, this program targets outliers and offers a support system that defies conventional structures.
EWOR receives over 35,000 applicants each year but selects only 35 fellows. That’s a 0.1% acceptance rate, highlighting the fellowship’s dedication to identifying top-tier talent. Whether it’s national security hackers or deep-tech innovators, EWOR focuses on selecting founders who have the potential to solve the world’s biggest challenges.
Each fellow receives a €500,000 investment, one of the largest amounts for any accelerator or fellowship globally. Past fellows have gone on to raise between €1 million and €11 million within just six months, including Europe’s largest-ever pre-seed round by a first-time founder.
EWOR A Virtual-First Model Backed by Unicorn Founders
Founded in 2021, EWOR is led by a team of six seasoned entrepreneurs. These leaders have built companies worth over €12 billion, including successful ventures like SumUp, Adjust, and ProGlove. Their vast experience and €60 million capital provide unparalleled mentorship and a strong network for new founders.
Reflecting the global nature of startups, EWOR operates on a virtual-first model. Fellows gain access to 1:1 mentorship, custom modules, and a network of over 2,000 mentors, VCs, and industry experts. The program supports founders in building products globally—whether in Nairobi, hiring in Europe, or fundraising in Silicon Valley. Aspect Health, a Moldova-based startup funded in Silicon Valley and New York, achieved a $50 million valuation within a year, illustrating EWOR’s success.
The 2025 Cohort: A New Wave of Innovators
EWOR’s 2025 cohort features trailblazing founders across various sectors:
- Mark Golab (UK): Advancing organ transplant technology with Cambridge Surgical Models after surviving a life-threatening infection.
- Matthew Pierre-Louis (USA): Founder of Möbius Industries, developing a full-stack robotics platform for recycling.
- Salil Patel (UK): Oxford PhD and radiologist using digital biomarkers to improve brain health diagnostics.
- Anastasia Trofimova (Sweden): Founder of Your Beet, transforming the plant-based grocery sector.
- Viktoria Izdebezka (Austria): Revolutionizing AI-powered lead generation with Salesy.
- Nick D’Aloisio (UK): A three-time founder with €100M in exits, now building a neuro-inspired deep learning platform in stealth mode.
EWOR’s track record speaks for itself. Past fellows have achieved remarkable exits and raised significant funding:
- Ricky Knox achieved nine-figure exits with Azimo and Tandem Bank.
- Andrew Nutter transitioned from Westwing’s IPO to leading space exploration company Gama.
- Tim Seithe bootstrapped Tillhub to an exit near €100 million.
- Ariel Harmoko, Cambridge’s youngest machine learning researcher, secured a $4 million round led by a16z after only 10 months at EWOR.
- Jörgen Tveit raised $13 million for his energy storage startup Thaleron.
The Future of EWOR and Global Founders
EWOR’s blend of significant upfront capital, unicorn mentorship, and a decentralized, global model is setting new standards for early-stage startup support. As more exceptional founders join the fellowship, EWOR is positioning itself as a launchpad for transformative global companies.
Daniel Dippold, EWOR’s CEO, emphasized the unique value of the fellowship: “Most fellows don’t need money. They join because they want to build something great and know EWOR is the place to be challenged.”
Petter Made, a partner at EWOR, explained, “Our model is not about standardization. It’s about creating conditions where rare talent can thrive.”
EWOR fellow Jörgen Tveit added, “EWOR provides a network of people to build the future with—no fluff, just real support.”
For Ariel Harmoko, working with EWOR is like having a co-founder: “They come in early and offer hands-on support every week—whether it’s code reviews or AI model development.”
