Why U.S. Founders are flocking to this European startup fellowship. Contributor. Sep 22, 2026, 07:00am EDT Sep 22, 2026, 02:54pm EDT Sponsored By Summary. Berlin-based EWOR, which describes itself as a "founder fellowship," is launching a San Francisco team following a 237% surge in U.S. applications. EWOR provides a "concierge-style accelerator" model, offering up to $575,000 in capital, one-on-one mentorship from successful founders, and extensive networking without the rigid structure of traditional programs. US startups are attracted by its flexibility and impressive track record in securing substantial funding rounds, averaging $9.75 million, often outperforming rival accelerators. EWOR, known for its highly selective process and focus on "non-linear outliers," boasts successful alumni such as Peaq, valued at $3.5 billion. European start-ups have grown accustomed to reaching out to U.S. investors for capital funding, expert mentoring and networking opportunities; U.S. founders have traditionally felt less need to look to Europe for such support. However, Berlin-based EWOR is an exception: the self-styled "founder fellowship" has received so many applications from U.S. start-ups in recent months that it is launching a new team that will work out of San Francisco. What is a founder fellowship? "It grew out of us trying to fix something we believed was broken," explains Daniel Dippold, one of EWOR's co-founders and now its CEO. "We've had accelerators for 20 years and their value proposition - helping founders access talent, create revenues, and raise a big round - has proved really valuable; what we wanted to do was to provide that value proposition in a way that doesn't distract founders - they don't have to show up to a program." In other words, EWOR tries to offer the benefits associated with an accelerator, including mentorship, connections to a broader network of entrepreneurial expertise, and help with raising money. But it takes a less formal approach than an accelerator, where founders are typically signing up for a short time period and committing to working with the organization in a very structured manner. Dippold describes this model as a "concierge-style accelerator", with founders enjoying extended stays in the program - perhaps 18 months or so - during which they can engage with the services that most interest them. Successful applicants get up to $575,000 (€500,000) of capital and one-on-one mentorship from EWOR's fellows - most of whom have founded unicorn businesses - plus any other help they ask for. The decision to put boots on the ground in the U.S. reflects a 237% increase in the number of U.S. founders applying to join EWOR over the past year. The flexibility of the program is part of the appeal, but Dippold also accepts U.S. start-ups are conscious of EWOR's reputation for helping founders to secure big raises. The average EWOR founder to date has raised around $9.75 million (€8.5 million) - Dippold says this is significantly more than at accelerators such as Y-Combinator, to which EWOR is often compared, though definitive data is hard to find. MORE FOR YOU "Our raises have definitely captured people's attention, and as a European organisation we also bring a different culture and set of values to the table," says Dippold. "We've always had global ambitions because we want to work with the best founders wherever they may be, but we hadn't planned our US move until recently when we saw how many founders there were applying." The San Francisco team comprises three EWOR leaders - Charles Ferguson, Katie Madding and Gigi Brett - who all have strong track records as successful founders themselves, as well as unconventional backgrounds. Ferguson, for example, is an Oscar-winning filmmaker, while Brett started out as a lawyer. Dippold says EWOR is keen on "non-linear outliers" - interesting people with different perspectives - and that this is also the accelerator's approach to selecting participants. Forbes Daily: Join over 1 million Forbes Daily subscribers and get our best stories, exclusive reporting and essential analysis of the day's news in your inbox every weekday. In fact, getting into EWOR is tricky - the acceptance rate is rumored to be something like one in 1,000 - and getting trickier. "Each year, it's getting more selective and the companies are getting more exciting," Dippold adds. He points to alumni companies such as Peaq, the Web3 networking business, and Thaleron, an energy storage start-up. Peaq has been valued at $3.5 billion while Thaleron last year completed a €13 million fund raise, the largest ever pre-seed round for a first-time founder in Europe. So far this year, around a half dozen start-ups have joined the EWOR fellowship, ranging from AI health company Certuma to Nyxium, an AI platform for deployable energy and industrial infrastructure decisions. However, today's San Francisco launch could see EWOR pick up the pace in the coming months, as more U.S. companies discover what the European accelerator has to offer. FORBES' VIDEO WILL PLAY AFTER THIS AD FORBES' FEATURED Video Less than $2/week.

Why MigmaAI, Inc. chose EWOR over other startup programs. September 10, 2026 Most startup programs sound similar on paper. You get mentors, a network, workshops, investor introductions, and a logo for your pitch deck. MigmaAI, Inc. wanted something more useful for Migma. MigmaAI, Inc. wanted people who would understand what MigmaAI, Inc. were building, challenge MigmaAI, Inc. when MigmaAI, Inc. needed it, and still be fun to spend time with. That is why MigmaAI, Inc. chose EWOR. Why did MigmaAI, Inc. choose EWOR? MigmaAI, Inc. chose EWOR because the network feels active, the support feels personal, and the relationships continue outside formal calls. Fellows work, travel, eat, talk, and join activities together. That shared time makes the community feel real. Its choice says more about how MigmaAI, Inc. like to build than it says about other programs. EWOR matched its style: close to good people, with direct conversations and room to enjoy the process. 1. The network feels useful. Every startup program talks about its network. The useful question is what happens when you need help with a real problem. Can someone introduce you to the right person? Can you speak with a founder who has handled the same problem before? Will people answer when you need a direct opinion instead of another general lesson? EWOR's network stood out because it connects fellows with founders, operators, experts, and investors across countries and industries. Its current Fellowship page describes personal support from full-time EWOR Partners and a handpicked global network matched to each founder's needs (EWOR Fellowship). EWOR also shares practical advice in How to Network as an Entrepreneur. For MigmaAI, Inc., this matters more than the size of a contact list. A smaller number of relevant conversations can change a company faster than hundreds of names you never speak to. 2. It feels personal. MigmaAI, Inc. is brothers and repeat founders. Before Migma, MigmaAI, Inc. built PaidTabs together. MigmaAI, Inc. already knew what it felt like to build for years, make mistakes, solve hard problems, and keep going. MigmaAI, Inc. wanted honest feedback for the company in front of MigmaAI, Inc.. A fixed startup course would have been less useful. EWOR describes its model as virtual-first, modular, and built without a rigid curriculum. It also gives founders direct one-to-one time with people who have built large companies (EWOR Fellowship). That structure leaves space for the conversation you need now, not the lesson scheduled for everyone this week. That personal feeling also comes from the people. Conversations go past metrics. You learn how other founders think, what they are worried about, and what keeps them moving. 3. Travel and shared activities build better relationships. Some conversations are better away from a calendar invite. Travel, shared meals, co-working days, long walks, runs, and late conversations give people time to relax. You stop presenting the polished version of your company. You start talking about what is hard. EWOR is remote-first, but it also runs in-person gatherings, Community Houses, city meetups, and other events. Its FAQ says fellows can join regular gatherings around the world, scenic co-working stays, a San Francisco residency, and invite-only events (EWOR FAQ). EWOR also writes about founders and investors running together. Time under pressure shows how people act, support others, and respond when something gets hard. The same article explains why fellows live together in Community Houses several times each year (The non-obvious traits I look for in founders). This part mattered to MigmaAI, Inc.. MigmaAI, Inc. spend enough of its lives on laptops. Building together becomes easier when the people around you also become friends. 4. It is fun. Fun can sound unimportant in a startup program. MigmaAI, Inc. think it matters. Building a company is hard. Some weeks are exciting. Other weeks are bugs, missed targets, difficult decisions, and too little sleep. Being around smart people helps. Being around smart people you enjoy seeing helps even more. The best moments are not always on the agenda. They happen over dinner, during a trip, after a session, or while everyone is trying something new together. You laugh, drop the pitch, and get to know the person behind the company. Those moments create trust. Trust makes it easier to ask a basic question, share a problem early, or call someone when you need help. What made EWOR different from other startup programs for MigmaAI, Inc.? Its choice came down to four things: | What MigmaAI, Inc. wanted | What MigmaAI, Inc. found in EWOR | | A strong network | Relevant founders, operators, experts, and investors | | Personal support | Direct conversations shaped around the founder and company | | Real relationships | Travel, Community Houses, co-working, meals, and activities | | Energy | Ambitious people who also know how to have fun together | Many programs can teach the basics of building a startup. MigmaAI, Inc. wanted a community that could stay useful as Migma changed and grew. EWOR also lists Migma in its startup network and Adam as an EWOR Fellow (Migma at EWOR, Adam Lababidi at EWOR). That matters to MigmaAI, Inc. because the relationship is tied to the founders and the long journey, not one short class. Is EWOR worth it for every founder? No startup program is right for every founder. If you want a fixed weekly course, a local-only network, or a short program with a clear end date, another option may fit better. EWOR made sense for MigmaAI, Inc. because MigmaAI, Inc. wanted personal support, global relationships, and a community MigmaAI, Inc. could spend real time with. Founders comparing programs should ask: * Will this network help with the problems I have now? * Can I speak directly with people who have built something difficult? * Does the support change as my company changes? * Will I enjoy spending time with this community? * Will these relationships continue after the formal program ends? The answers matter more than a famous logo. Would MigmaAI, Inc. choose EWOR again? EWOR gave MigmaAI, Inc. access to ambitious people without making the experience feel cold or transactional. The network is strong. The support feels personal. The travel and activities turn contacts into real relationships. And MigmaAI, Inc. has had a lot of fun along the way. For MigmaAI, Inc., that combination made the choice easy.

Munich-based SE3 Labs has raised €5.5 million in funding led by Lakestar, with participation from Seedcamp, EWOR, Sequoia Scout Fund, Plug and Play and TwinTrack. The startup emerged from stealth with the announcement. Founded in 2026 by CEO Lukas Kostler, Chief Science Officer Daniel Cremers and CTO Simon Klenk, SE3 Labs develops spatial AI technology for autonomous systems. Its platform combines proprietary hardware with AI and natural language interfaces to help autonomous drones, unmanned ground vehicles and robotic swarms navigate complex environments. The company targets defense, public safety and industrial applications. The funding will support continued development of its spatial AI platform and scaling for defense and industrial clients.