Most startup programs sound similar on paper. You get mentors, a network, workshops, investor introductions, and a logo for your pitch deck.
We wanted something more useful for Migma. We wanted people who would understand what we were building, challenge us when we needed it, and still be fun to spend time with.
That is why we chose EWOR.
Why did we choose EWOR?
We 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.
Our choice says more about how we like to build than it says about other programs. EWOR matched our 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 us, 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
We are brothers and repeat founders. Before Migma, we built PaidTabs together. We already knew what it felt like to build for years, make mistakes, solve hard problems, and keep going.
We wanted honest feedback for the company in front of us. 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 us. We spend enough of our 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. We 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 us?
Our choice came down to four things:
| What we wanted | What we 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. We 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 us 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 us because we wanted personal support, global relationships, and a community we 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 we choose EWOR again?
Yes.
EWOR gave us 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 we have had a lot of fun along the way.
For us, that combination made the choice easy.
Learn more about Migma and its founders, or read about the EWOR Fellowship.
Sources and image credits
- EWOR Fellowship
- EWOR FAQ
- Migma at EWOR
- Adam Lababidi at EWOR
- How to Network as an Entrepreneur
- The non-obvious traits I look for in founders
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Migma choose the EWOR Fellowship?
Migma chose EWOR for its active network, personal founder support, and collaborative community. Rather than offering a standard curriculum, EWOR provides direct one-on-one access to experienced founders and operators, paired with shared activities, travel, and in-person gatherings.
How is EWOR structured compared to traditional accelerators?
EWOR operates on a virtual-first, modular model without a rigid curriculum. Instead of fixed weekly lessons for an entire batch, founders receive direct one-on-one time with leaders who have built large companies and personal guidance from full-time EWOR Partners tailored to their immediate needs.
Is EWOR fully remote or does it include in-person events?
While virtual-first, EWOR incorporates significant in-person experiences. According to the EWOR FAQ, fellows can participate in:
- Community Houses where founders live and work together several times a year
- Scenic co-working stays and city meetups
- A San Francisco residency
- Invite-only events, founder runs, and shared dinners
What type of founder is EWOR best suited for?
EWOR is designed for founders looking for customized, ongoing support, global connections, and deep peer relationships. It may not be the right fit for founders who prefer a fixed weekly classroom course, a local-only network, or a short program with a strict end date.
Who founded Migma?
Migma was founded by brothers Adam Lababidi and Liam Lababidi. They are repeat founders who previously built PaidTabs together before launching Migma.