13 Business and Entrepreneurship Summer Programs for High School Students
If you are a high school student interested in business and entrepreneurship, summer programs can be a worthwhile way to explore these fields. From Ivy League pre-college experiences and leadership intensives to startup boot camps and global finance explorations, these programs provide valuable learning experiences. Important information, such as cost, format, dates, and the unique experiences you will gain, is included with every program to help you choose the option that best suits your interests and objectives.
To help you get started, we've put together 13 business and entrepreneurship summer programs for high school students.
13 Business and Entrepreneurship Summer Programs for High School Students
1. Howard University School of Business Summer Enrichment
Location: Howard University, Washington, DC
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort Size: Not available
Dates: July 13–18
Application Deadline: Early decision, March 1; regular, April 1
Eligibility: 10th–11th graders
High school sophomores and juniors can explore Accountancy, Information Systems, Actuarial Science, or Entrepreneurship in this week-long, tuition-free program in Washington, DC. Students study under business professors, collaborate on real-world projects in groups, experience life at a renowned HBCU, and gain experience of college life. The program offers early access to multiple business fields at an early stage in a welcoming and encouraging way without any financial obligations. You also get to experience on campus.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: $2,490 (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort Size: Selective (exact cohort size not available)
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Application Deadline: Not available
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work for 8-12 weeks, devoting 10-20 hours/week
Ladder Internships offers a selective start-up internship program, which is usually 8 weeks, for motivated high school students. You will complete an internship with high-growth business start-ups as part of the business program. Startups that provide internships come from a wide range of sectors, including marketing, journalism, consulting, health tech, deep tech, AI/ML, and typically raise more than $1 million. Interns in this summer business and entrepreneurial program collaborate closely on practical projects with their Managers and a Ladder Coach before presenting their work to the business.
3. NFTE BizCamp (Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship)
Location: Multiple regions across the U.S. (Capital, Mid‑Atlantic, Midwest, South, Southeast, West, Global)
Cost/Stipend: Free (some programs offer stipends)
Acceptance rate/cohort Size: Over 600 participants in recent years (cohort size varies by region)
Dates: Varies by region
Application Deadline: Varies by region
Eligibility: Middle and high school students (grades 6–12 for Pathway/BizCamp; rising 7th–9th in some regions)
Intensive 50- to 90-hour summer programs are offered regionally, providing high school students with a hands-on, adaptable curriculum in entrepreneurship. Participants use the Lean Canvas model to develop original business ideas, which they then present at contests. In the most recent entrepreneurial program, more than 600 students participated, which included a brand-new tech entrepreneurship BizCamp. This combined digital transformation, UI/UX design, and AI-powered business planning exposes participants to cutting-edge resources and credentials that are valued in the industry.
4. Young Founders Lab
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies according to program; need-based financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort Size: Not available
Dates: June 5
Application Deadline: 3 application deadlines that you can choose between: Early Decision Deadline: March | Regular Admission Deadline 1: April | Regular Admission Deadline 2: May.
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
Founded and operated by Harvard entrepreneurs, The Young Founder's Lab is a real-world start-up bootcamp. The goal of this program is to help you create a profitable start-up that solves a real-world issue. Additionally, you will have the chance to receive mentoring from seasoned professionals and entrepreneurs from X, Microsoft, and Google. With a space to investigate various theoretical and practical frameworks that contribute to a successful business, the program is a great way for high school students to get involved in the business world. In addition to creating the start-up itself, you will take part in interactive workshops and skill-building sessions, case studies, panel discussions, and classes on business principles and business ideas.
5. Berkeley Business Academy for Youth (B-BAY)
Location: University of California, Berkeley
Cost/Stipend: Resident: $6,292 (CA residents) / $7,332 (out-of-state)
Acceptance rate/cohort Size: Not available
Dates: Two sessions: July 5–19, July 19–Aug 2
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school students located globally
Students at the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley participate in groups for a 2-week program, creating working business concepts and presenting them to business leaders. However, B-BAY offers more than just creating a business plan – it offers high school students the opportunity to experience college life at one of the top public universities in the world. While acceptance is selective, the participants gain substantial benefits, including exposure to corporate social responsibility, karaoke nights, scavenger hunts, and mentorship from Haas faculty. This program is suitable for aspiring business owners who are imaginative, cooperative, and ready to present their ideas, combining business experience with Berkeley campus life.
6. Babson Summer Study for High School Students
Location: In-person hosted at New England Innovation Academy (NEIA) or Remote Cost/Stipend: Online: $6,295 (additional $95 as application fee); In-person: Residential $12,890 / Day $9,390
Acceptance rate/cohort Size: Not available
Dates: July 6 (Approximately 3+ weeks in summer)
Application Deadline: March
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors
Babson's Entrepreneurial Thought & Action framework is globally renowned for entrepreneurship and provides a 3-week immersive program that extends beyond the classroom session. The high school students use Babson's Entrepreneurial Thought & Action framework to collaborate with peers around the world on projects related to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. You will receive mentorship on addressing real-world business challenges and earn 4 college credits while collaborating with peers to address global issues. The program is suitable if you are keen to develop an innovative mindset and are looking to create an impact in the real world. This summer program is a great choice if you're searching for a serious pre-college program that is both academically demanding and innovation-driven.
7. USC Pre-College: Introduction to Business
Location: University of Southern California (Residential & Commuter)
Cost/Stipend: Tuition
Acceptance rate/cohort Size: Not available
Dates: June 15 – July 12
Application Deadline: Not available
Eligibility: Open to high school students; no prerequisites
The USC’s business program is a 4-week immersive experience for creative or industry-specific careers, providing insights into how various business sectors operate. The business education at USC is connected to thriving industries in LA, rather than being taught in isolation. In addition to exploring fundamental subjects like leadership, marketing, and finance, you can delve deeper into industries like real estate, sports, and entertainment. This program is suitable for those who are looking for a thorough introduction to creative industries and business ecosystems.
8. Business Is Global: Summer Language Program (Indiana University, Kelley School of Business)
Location: Indiana University Bloomington campus, Indiana, USA (residential)
Cost/Stipend: $1,900 (includes tuition, housing, meals, materials); full need-based scholarships available covering the full amount
Acceptance rate/cohort Size: Not available
Dates: 2-week session: typically late June to early July
Application Deadline: Around mid-April
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors in grades 10–12
Business Is Global (BIG) is a 2-week on-campus immersive program that combines language study, the principles of international business, and cultural immersion. The program focuses on building global business vocabulary, cross-cultural communication skills, and an understanding of how culture and current affairs influence global business settings. Previous sessions featured Arabic, Brazilian Portuguese, Korean, Russian, and Zulu, each linked to a significant regional economy. The daily schedule consists of a language lesson and a business-focused session in the morning, followed by interactive cultural modules, group discussions, and explorations of the business and political contexts unique to each region. Additionally, students work together on a group project that concludes with a presentation on the last day.
9. WashU Olin: Gateway to Business
Location: Washington University in St. Louis (hybrid)
Cost/Stipend: $4,850 (includes materials, housing, meals)
Acceptance rate/cohort Size: Not available
Dates: Virtual: June 5, 12, 19; Residential: July 13–18
Application Deadline: Not available
Eligibility: Rising sophomores–seniors, U.S. residents
The Washington University in St. Louis offers a hybrid summer program that combines an on-campus week with online preparation. You will learn the basics of business, build your resume and pitch, and work on a real-world client project as consultants (typically done by college students), which will help to develop your leadership skills. This program is suitable for high school students looking to gain both academic understanding and professional expertise. At the end of this program, you will gain new leadership qualities, a polished CV, and a pitch presentation in addition to your knowledge.
10. MIT Educational Studies Program – Business/Entrepreneurship Workshops
Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA (on weekends/in-person or remote)
Cost/Stipend: ~$40 for Splash workshops; financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort Size: Selective
Dates: Multiple weekends (Splash) or multi-week sessions (HSSP)
Application Deadline: Not available
Eligibility: High school students invited or selected via lottery
MIT’s weekend programs, including HSSP and Splash, offer flexible, affordable, and accessible opportunities for high school students to explore business and entrepreneurship. You will participate in regular weekend business/entrepreneurship sessions (HSSP) or TED-style mini-classes (Splash). The program offers an enjoyable and approachable method to creatively and spontaneously explore new subjects. The program is ideal for inquisitive high school students who wish to quickly become familiar with a variety of new concepts. Although it is not as rigorous as Berkeley or Babson, it's still a fantastic way to test your interests at a reasonable price. The program is ideal for inquisitive students seeking inexpensive, extensive exposure.
11. Tufts University – Entrepreneurship & Innovation Bootcamp
Location: Tufts University, Medford/Somerville, MA (on-campus)
Cost/Stipend: Commuter: $4,225; Residential: $5,750; limited need-based scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not specified
Dates: July 6 – July 18
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Students entering grades 10–12 or high school graduates
This 2-week bootcamp, unlike Tufts' more general pre-college summer programs, focuses on creating and pitching a business. Students are guided through the entire venture-building process, from ideation to go-to-market strategy, during this intense residential bootcamp. Under the guidance of Tufts faculty, high school students hone their presentation abilities, sales tactics, and business cases. It is very rigorous and selective, making it perfect for motivated students who want concentrated, practical entrepreneurial experience in a short span of time.
12. LaunchX – Boston In-Person Entrepreneurship Program
Location: Boston, MA (hosted at Boston University)
Cost/Stipend: $9,995 (without financial awards); financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 80 students (approx.)
Dates: June 15 – July 12
Application Deadline: Not available
Eligibility: High school students worldwide
LaunchX's flagship program is a four-week residential course held at Boston University. The 4-week on-campus summer program encourages students to start and run a real business from conception to completion. This business program is perfect for high school students who are curious about practical, intense, and collaborative entrepreneurial training because it emphasizes teamwork, mentorship from professionals in the field, and exposure to Boston's startup scene. For teenagers, it is the closest thing to a real startup accelerator.
13. Camp Business – LeBow College of Business, Drexel University
Location: Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA – on-campus (both residential and commuter formats)
Cost/Stipend: $2,000 (Residential with Blue & Gold Sessions)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not available
Dates: Residential Blue Session: July 13–18
Application Deadline: Priority deadline May 1; applications reviewed on a rolling basis and may close early when filled
Eligibility: Exceptional rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors (including international students); application includes official transcripts; non-native English speakers must demonstrate English proficiency
The Camp Business program provides an in-person, week-long immersive experience to high school students with a practical introduction to corporate and collegiate business education. Interestingly, Forbes named it one of the most creative business summer courses for high school students. Students sharpen soft skills like leadership, professional image, etiquette, team building, and strategy, while exploring other important disciplines like accounting, marketing, finance, and management. Additionally, you will learn useful skills like utilizing business technology, reading financial documents, and comprehending the stock market. The program concludes with a certificate of completion and consists of teamwork, guest speakers, and faculty-led classes.
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