Want to compete with Y Combinator, Antler and Techstars: This is what EWOR demands from its candidates

EWOR partners receive 35,000 applications per year. Only 35 applicants receive a fellowship, or just 0.1 percent. EWOR is a Berlin-based startup platform that aims to support tech talent in building global ventures. Instead of a fixed program, EWOR relies on a modular, individually tailored system of capital, talent access, mentoring, and sparring partners. "We don't see ourselves as an accelerator or incubator . We don't build a program," says co-founder Daniel Dippold. "We've done that once, but we believe the people we want to have on board don't want that."

Behind EWOR are serial entrepreneur Dippold, United Domains founder Florian Huber , and Proglove co-founder Alexander Grots . They are supported by Adjust co-founder Paul Müller , Sumup co-founder Petter Made , and Felyx co-founder Quinten Selhorst, all of whom are full-time partners. Together, they aim to "build the most useful support ecosystem for founders." The team recently raised €60 million: €30 million for operational expansion, and €30 million will go into a fund to invest in selected startups of EWOR fellows.

We spoke with Dippold about what EWOR Fellows need to bring with them, how applicants can best prepare, and how the platform differs from other offerings.