Selected founders receive €500,000 for a 7% equity stake, which is more favorable compared to other programs, making it one of the largest investments for fellowship or accelerator initiatives globally.

The funding is split evenly between a Series A round for EWOR and an investment vehicle for startups, backed by notable investors including Flix founders Daniel Krauss and Jochen Engert, and tech entrepreneur Felix Haas.

Daniel Dippold, co-founder and CEO of EWOR, highlights that the fellowship's true value lies not just in financial support but in fostering an environment that challenges and empowers ambitious founders.

The 2025 cohort features ten diverse founders, including Mark Golab, who is advancing organ transplant technology, and Matthew Pierre-Louis, who is developing a full-stack recycling robotics platform.

EWOR's model emphasizes a decentralized and borderless approach, allowing founders to build products globally and fundraise across different locations.

The fellowship is particularly interested in startups working on bespoke foundational models in robotics and genetic biotech, as well as hardware solutions to compete with major players like Nvidia.

With an annual acceptance rate of just 0.1%, EWOR selects only 35 fellows from over 35,000 applicants, focusing on outlier founders capable of addressing significant global challenges.

Each fellow receives extensive support, including personalized mentorship, weekly sessions with experienced founders, and access to a vast network of over 2,000 mentors and investors.

Germany-based EWOR, an innovative founder fellowship, has successfully raised €60 million to support exceptional early-stage entrepreneurs through a model that diverges from traditional accelerator frameworks.

EWOR's unique approach combines significant upfront capital with mentorship from unicorn founders, positioning it as a leading launchpad for transformative companies.

Founded in 2021, EWOR is managed by a team of six entrepreneurs with extensive experience, having built companies valued at over €12 billion, providing fellows with invaluable mentorship.

EWOR takes an initial equity stake of approximately 7% in the companies it supports, operating in a hybrid, virtual-first model that enhances flexibility and accessibility for its fellows.