15 Startup Internships for High School Students
High school internships provide valuable opportunities to gain real-world experience, strengthen your resume, and improve your career opportunities. They can also enhance your college applications by demonstrating initiative and willingness to learn beyond the classroom. For students interested in startups, internships are particularly rewarding because they provide exposure to fast-paced environments, opportunities to work on real-world problems, and insights into how new companies launch, grow, and operate.
If you’re more interested in the business side of things, here is a list of business internships available for high-school students!
Why should I do a startup internship in high school?
A startup internship in high school introduces you to how businesses are created, evolve, and operate in the real world. Startup environments often allow you to work closely with founders or small teams, giving you the opportunity to contribute to meaningful projects rather than observing. This kind of exposure helps you develop practical skills such as market research, product development, planning outreach strategies, understanding basic finance, and professional communication.
To help you get started, we’ve put together 15 startup internships for high school students where you can explore entrepreneurship, gain real-world experience, and build strong skills:
1. StandOut Connect
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: $2,950 | Stipend is not guaranteed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Varies by cohort
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students
The program begins with a multi-week training phase where you will learn essential skills such as resume building, networking, interview preparation, and the practical use of professional tools such as Excel and AI. After completing the training phase, you will be matched with an innovative company – often a startup – where you will take part in a two-month remote internship aligned with your interests. During the internship, you will work on real projects, collaborate with small teams, and gain hands-on exposure in areas such as business, technology, and healthcare. Throughout the internship, you will also receive mentorship from founders and industry professionals. You may have the opportunity to earn a letter of recommendation based on your performance, making it a valuable experience for both skill-building and future applications.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote (you can work from anywhere in the world)
Cost/Stipend: Starting at $2,490 (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort – spring (January), summer (May), fall (September), and winter (November).
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work for 8 - 12 weeks, committing 10 - 20 hours/week
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program that connects ambitious high school students with high-growth start-ups. These start-ups range across a variety of industries, including tech/deep tech, AI/ML, health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies raising over a million dollars on average. In this program, interns work closely with their managers and a ladder coach on real-world projects and present their work to the company at the conclusion of the internship.
3. Athena Summer Innovation Institute
Location: Barnard College, New York City, USA
Cost/Stipend: Commuter: $8,160 | Residential: $10,770
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive | 30 students
Dates: June 29 - July 17
Application Deadline: Applications typically open in late fall
Eligibility: High school students (rising sophomores, juniors, seniors)
The Athena Summer Innovation Institute is an intensive three-week entrepreneurship program where students will learn how to transform ideas into real-world ventures. You will attend workshops covering product development, branding, marketing, and startup finance while working in teams to build your own startup, nonprofit, or social impact initiative. Throughout the program, you will receive mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs, visit innovative companies, and develop strong public speaking and pitching skills. By the end of the program, you will present your venture in a final pitch presentation, gaining hands-on experience in collaboration, leadership, and venture creation.
4. 1435 Capital Venture Analyst Summer Internship
Location: Princeton, New Jersey, USA, and online
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly Selective
Dates: Typically follows a summer internship cycle (June - August range) based on past cohorts
Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Open to US-based high school students (especially rising juniors & seniors)
The 1435 Capital Venture Analyst Internship is a highly selective high school internship where you will gain hands-on exposure to the world of venture capital and finance. You will work closely with a lean investment team to analyze startups, contribute to investment research, and understand how investment decisions are made. Throughout the program, you will engage with real companies, assist in building investment memos or pitch materials, and develop critical skills such as analytical thinking, research, and communication. You will also get insight into how venture capital firms operate day-to-day, making it a rare opportunity to experience the startup and investment ecosystem from behind-the-scenes.
5. Be Your Own Boss (BYOB) Internship by Future Founders
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free | Stipend provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective
Dates: Runs multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: January 12
Eligibility: High school students
The Be Your Own Boss (BYOB) Internship by Future Founders is a virtual entrepreneurship program where you will learn how to build and launch a business idea from scratch. You will work in teams to identify real-world problems, develop solutions, and create a simple product or prototype while learning directly from entrepreneurs and mentors. Throughout the program, you will take part in interactive workshops that focus on creativity, leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving. You will also collaborate with students from different places and gain exposure to how startups are built and tested in real life. By the end of the program, you will pitch your business idea to a panel and gain hands-on experience in entrepreneurship while also earning a stipend for your participation.
6. Get Girls Going (GGG) Teen Entrepreneur Program
Location: New York City, USA
Cost/Stipend: Free | No Stipend provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Exact dates vary by year and cohort, typically taking place over several weeks in summer
Application Deadline: The deadline is typically late spring or early summer, depending on the cohort (may be rolling in some cases)
Eligibility: High school students | Specifically focused on Black and Brown girls interested in entrepreneurship and leadership
The Get Girls Going (GGG) Teen Entrepreneur Program is a summer entrepreneurship incubator where you will join a cohort of Black and Brown high school girls to build leadership skills and create your own social impact business idea. You will work alongside mentors, attend workshops, and collaborate with peers to build a product or service that solves a real problem in your community. Throughout the program, you will learn how to develop a business from the ground up, test ideas, and prepare a pitch to present your venture. You will also receive guidance from entrepreneurs and professionals who support you in building confidence, leadership skills, and a stronger understanding of entrepreneurship while working in a team-based, community-focused environment.
7. Young Entrepreneurs Program (YEP)
Location: Kansas City, Missouri
Cost/Stipend: Free | $12 - $14/hour stipend is paid, plus $2,500 scholarship upon completion
Dates: Session 1: June 1 - 26 | Session 2: July 6 - 31
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors from the Kansas City metro area
The Young Entrepreneurs Program is a practical entrepreneurship internship for high school students where they will gain hands-on startup experience by working with growing companies. You will be matched with a startup based on your skills and interests and work closely with founders to support their daily business operations and address real business challenges. The program partners with fast-growing startups in the Kansas City area, and you will typically work around 30 hours per week in a professional work environment. You will also receive hourly compensation for your work. At the end of the program, you will be awarded a scholarship in recognition of your contribution. Through this experience, you will learn how startups operate in real life while building practical skills and gaining exposure to the business world.
8. Girls Who Start 2025 Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: February 24 - April 30
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students worldwide
The Girls Who Start Impact Internship is a virtual program where you will work with university startups and learn the basics of entrepreneurship and leadership. You will take part in activities like brainstorming business ideas, practicing pitching, and exploring social entrepreneurship while also building your professional skills. You will attend live webinars, complete simulations, and work both individually and in teams to develop an entrepreneurial mindset. Along the way, you will also receive guidance on college essays, resume building, and choosing a college major. The program focuses on helping you grow in a supportive environment where you will gain exposure to startups and build skills for college and future careers.
9. After School Matters (ASM) Programs – Chicago
Location: Multiple program sites across Chicago (for example, Gallery 37 Center for the Arts, Lutz Center, Gately Park, plus community partner locations)
Cost/Stipend: Free | Paid stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not Specified
Dates: Sessions run seasonally
Application Deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: Chicago public high school students ages 14 - 18 years
ASM (After School Matters) offers a wide range of hands-on summer programs where you will explore business-related fields such as entrepreneurship, financial literacy, digital marketing, and community organizing, along with other career areas. You will work directly with professional instructors and complete real-world projects like planning campaigns, supporting small business ideas, and developing practical business skills. Throughout the program, you will gain experience in teamwork, communication, and organization while working in a structured learning environment. You will also receive a stipend for your participation, making it a paid opportunity to build skills and gain exposure to different career pathways while learning alongside peers and mentors in your local community.
10. TKS (The Knowledge Society) Accelerator Program
Location: Hybrid | Available in cities such as Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, New York, Seattle, Miami, Dubai, and several other global hubs, with online components.
Cost/Stipend: Varies by program | No stipend is provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Cohorts are generally selective and relatively small to allow mentorship and project-based learning
Dates: 10-month program running during the academic year
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students aged 13 - 17 years who are interested in emerging technologies, innovation, entrepreneurship, and building real-world projects | Prior technical experience is not required
The Knowledge Society (TKS) is a 10-month program that helps students explore emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, robotics, and climate technology while developing an entrepreneurial mindset. Through workshops, mentorship, industry talks, and hands-on projects, you will learn how to identify real-world problems, develop innovative solutions, and communicate your ideas effectively. The program also offers opportunities to collaborate with peers, engage with professionals, participate in challenges, and develop skills in leadership, problem-solving, public speaking, and project development. By the end of the program, you will have gained practical experience and built projects that can support future internships, research opportunities, and entrepreneurial ventures.
11. Diamond Challenge Student Programs
Location: Global with final rounds taking place in Delaware, USA
Cost/Stipend: Free | Awards given
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not Specified
Dates: September 16 (submissions begin)
Application Deadline: January 14
Eligibility: Teams of 2–4 high school students ages 14 - 18 years from any country | Each team must have one adult advisor who is at least 21 years old.
The Diamond Challenge is an entrepreneurship competition where you will work with a team to develop an innovative business idea or social impact venture that addresses real-world problems. Along the way, you will create pitch materials, receive feedback on your idea, and learn how entrepreneurs turn concepts into viable solutions. The program offers access to mentorship, entrepreneurship resources, networking opportunities, and educational workshops that help you strengthen your skills in problem-solving, teamwork, leadership, communication, and pitching. You will also have the opportunity to pitch your idea to judges and compete for scholarships, awards, and venture funding.
12. VTSP (Venture & Tech Summer Program)
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: $4,750 tuition for the 6-week program, plus a $35 application fee | No stipend is provided.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Session I: June 8 - July 17 | Session II: July 6 - August 14
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students worldwide who are interested in technology, innovation, entrepreneurship, and startup environments.
VTSP is a selective entrepreneurship and technology program where you work directly with venture-backed startups on real projects while learning from founders, investors, and industry leaders. During the 6-week program, you are matched with a startup and collaborate on real-world projects related to technology, business strategy, product development, innovation, or market research. You will also attend workshops, mentorship sessions, networking events, and presentations led by entrepreneurs, investors, and executives from major companies. The program focuses on helping students build practical experience, leadership skills, problem-solving abilities, and a deeper understanding of how startups are operated and scaled.
13. Nova School AI Entrepreneurship Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Programs start at $2,490 | No stipend is provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly Selective
Dates: July 13 - August 7
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students ages 14 - 21 years | No coding or technical experience is required
The Nova School AI Entrepreneurship Program helps students learn how startups are built by guiding them through the process of creating an AI-powered product from concept to launch. Throughout the program, you work in teams to explore ideas, solve real-world problems, build and test products, and refine them based on feedback. The program offers mentorship from entrepreneurs and industry professionals, interactive workshops, and hands-on experience using AI tools and product development methodologies. You also get an opportunity to pitch your project at the end of the program, gaining practical experience in innovation, teamwork, communication, and entrepreneurship while building a portfolio-ready project.
14. Leangap entrepreneurship program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $6,540 | No stipend is provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts are offered throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies
Eligibility: High school students, typically ages 14 - 18 years, from any country | No prior entrepreneurship experience is required
The Leangap Entrepreneurship Program is a hands-on startup accelerator for high school students that teaches entrepreneurship by having participants build a real business from the ground up. Throughout the program, you will work in teams to identify a problem, develop a solution, validate your idea through customer feedback, and build a viable startup. The program offers mentorship from entrepreneurs, interactive workshops, networking opportunities, and guidance on topics covering product development, marketing, business strategy, and pitching. By the end of the program, you will gain practical experience launching a venture, develop leadership and problem-solving skills, and present your startup venture to investors, mentors, and industry professionals.
15. Y Combinator Startup School
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free | No stipend is provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not Selective
Dates: Self-paced
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Open to anyone worldwide, including high school students, college students, and early-stage founders | No prior experience is required.
The Y Combinator Startup School is a free online program that helps you learn how to build and grow a startup from the ground up. It is designed for beginners and early-stage founders, including students, and focuses on practical startup fundamentals such as identifying customer problems, building products, talking to users, and iterating your ideas based on feedback. The program includes short lessons, simple tools to track your weekly progress, and guidance to help you stay consistent while working on your project. It is a self-paced program, so you can learn and build at the same time while building real-world startup thinking and execution skills.
Summary
This list covers 15 startup and entrepreneurship internships for high school students, ranging from fully remote startup placements like Ladder and VTSP to intensive in-person accelerators like Barnard's Athena Summer Innovation Institute, with costs spanning from completely free programs like Y Combinator's Startup School to premium options exceeding $6,000 like Leangap. The programs divide clearly between those that place you directly inside an existing startup or venture capital firm, like Ladder, StandOut Connect, and 1435 Capital, and those that guide you through building your own venture from scratch, like Diamond Challenge, TKS, and Nova School's AI Entrepreneurship Program. Several programs, including Young Entrepreneurs Program, Get Girls Going, and After School Matters, are geographically restricted to specific cities like Kansas City, New York, or Chicago, so students outside those areas should prioritize the fully remote and globally accessible options instead.
Questions Students Often Ask About These Programs
1. I want real startup experience, not just a course on entrepreneurship. Which programs actually place me inside a company?
Ladder Internships, StandOut Connect, VTSP, and 1435 Capital's Venture Analyst Internship all place you directly with an existing startup or investment team rather than having you build your own venture from scratch. These are strongest if you want to understand how a real company operates day-to-day. If you'd rather build something of your own, programs like Diamond Challenge, TKS, and Leangap are structured around developing an original idea into a pitch-ready venture instead.
2. Several programs here are free, like Y Combinator's Startup School and Diamond Challenge, while others cost thousands of dollars, like Leangap and VTSP. What's the actual difference?
Free programs tend to be self-paced or competition-based, giving you strong foundational knowledge and a chance to compete for recognition or funding without direct mentorship costs. Paid programs like VTSP and Leangap typically include more structured, sustained mentorship, direct startup placements, and smaller cohort sizes, which can lead to deeper relationships with founders and more polished final projects. If budget is a concern, Y Combinator's Startup School and Diamond Challenge are strong free entry points before committing to a paid program.
3. A few of these programs, like Get Girls Going and Girls Who Start, are specifically for girls. Are there other identity-specific or location-specific programs I should know about?
Yes. Get Girls Going is specifically for Black and Brown girls in New York City, and Girls Who Start is open to girls worldwide through a virtual format. Beyond gender-specific programs, After School Matters is restricted to Chicago public high school students, and the Young Entrepreneurs Program is restricted to the Kansas City metro area. If you don't fit any of these specific eligibility criteria, Ladder, TKS, VTSP, and Y Combinator's Startup School are all open broadly regardless of location or identity.