TL;DR
This guide covers 20 incubators for high schoolers, from two-week campus programs to year-round online tracks and social impact incubators. Some start you from a blank page, while accelerator-style programs like B-BAY’s Founder Bootcamp expect proven traction before you apply. You’ll find options across grades 9 to 12, whether you’re testing a first idea or scaling a product with paying users. Costs run from free to several thousand dollars, and UC San Diego’s five-day bootcamp comes in at just $495. If you’d rather build and launch a revenue-generating startup with a mentor, Young Founders Lab is worth a look.
Got an idea you can't stop thinking about? A startup incubator gives you the structure, mentors, and deadlines to actually build it. The programs below help high schoolers go from a rough idea to a real venture, whether that's over two weeks on a college campus, across a full school year online, or in a program built around social impact.
What is a startup incubator for high school students?
A startup incubator for high schoolers is a structured program that helps you take a business idea from a rough concept to something you can test and pitch, with mentors and deadlines keeping you moving. An accelerator is the faster, more selective version, built for founders who already have users or sales.
Incubators start at the idea stage: Many teen incubators accept you with no business idea at all. They walk you through finding a problem worth solving, talking to potential customers, and building a first version, and you usually finish with a pitch rather than a finished company.
Accelerators expect traction: Accelerators are designed to grow something that already works. UC Berkeley’s B-BAY describes its High School Summer Bootcamp as a residential startup accelerator, and it asks applicants for 250+ active users or $1,000+ in revenue.
The labels blur for teens: Y Combinator, the program most people picture, is classed as an accelerator in a report prepared for the SBA’s Office of Advocacy, which notes that incubators offer similar services but work as different entities. Teen programs use “incubator,” “accelerator,” “bootcamp,” and “lab” loosely, so judge each one by the stage it expects you to be at. If you want the full breakdown, our guide to startup incubators vs accelerators goes deeper.
What do you get out of a startup incubator in high school?
You come away with a tested business idea, practice making decisions without all the answers, and a pitch you’ve delivered to people who judge ventures for a living. What most programs won’t give you is a funded company by the end of the summer, and that’s fine.
A tested idea instead of a hunch: Most programs make you interview customers or build a rough product before you pitch, so you find out early whether people actually want what you’re making.
Skills that show up in research: Research has found that entrepreneurship programs help raise students’ confidence in their own entrepreneurial ability, along with their skills in financing and handling uncertainty.
Feedback from people who invest: Many programs end with a pitch to judges or investors who give you valuable feedback. At UC San Diego’s Startup Bootcamp, you pitch your idea to a venture capitalist after 15 hours of instruction.
An honest read on whether you like this: A short program is a low-risk way to find out whether building a company suits you before you commit a whole school year to it.
How to choose the right startup incubator
Pick the program that matches where your idea is right now, then narrow by format, schedule, and cost. Stage matters most, since an accelerator that expects traction is the wrong fit if you’re still searching for an idea.
Match the program to your stage: If you don’t have an idea yet, look for programs that form teams and start from scratch. If you already have users or sales, an accelerator track will push you further. UC Berkeley’s Business Academy for Youth lays this out as a pathway, with a team-based residency for beginners, a two-semester virtual Launchpad, and a Founder Bootcamp for students with traction.
Decide between solo and team: Some programs place you on a team, while others let you build on your own with a mentor. Think about whether you want co-founders to share the work or full control over every decision.
Check the format against your calendar: Campus programs run as short summer blocks, while online and year-round programs fit around school. A program that clashes with your sport, job, or time zone isn’t the right one, however good it looks.
Look at what you finish with: Some programs end with a pitch, others with a prototype, a certificate, college credit, or a launched product with first customers. Choose the output you’d be proudest to show someone.
How much do startup incubators for high school students cost?
Startup incubators for high schoolers range from free to several thousand dollars, and residential programs on college campuses sit at the top of that range. Short courses can cost far less, and a few programs even pay you to take part.
Free options exist, but they come with limits: Future Founders’ Be Your Own Boss program is free and pays accepted students a stipend, but its Chicago cohorts are open only to students at Chicago public and charter schools. Free programs often restrict eligibility by location, income, or grade, so read the fine print first.
Short courses keep costs low: UC San Diego Extended Studies charges $495 for its five-day Startup Bootcamp, which runs 15 hours and carries 1.5 units.
Housing is the biggest jump: Residential programs charge for dorms and meals on top of tuition, so a commuter or online version of the same program usually costs less.
Ask about aid before ruling anything out: Many paid programs offer need-based scholarships or fee waivers. Check each program’s cost page before deciding a program is out of reach.
How we selected these incubator programs
We chose these 20 programs by checking each one against its official page and asking one question: will you leave with something you built?
What you build: We prioritized programs where you test and pitch a venture of your own, not just sit through lectures.
Who guides you: We looked at whether faculty, founders, or investors work with you directly, and how much time you get with them.
Clear stage fit: We favored programs that say plainly whether they’re built for beginners or for founders with traction.
Transparent details: Costs, dates, and deadlines were checked against official pages.
| Section | Top programs | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer startup incubators on college campuses | B-BAY Summer Entrepreneurship Residency (UC Berkeley Haas), Wharton Global Youth: Essentials of Entrepreneurship, Babson Startup Sprint, Tufts Entrepreneurship and Innovation Bootcamp, UC San Diego Startup Bootcamp | $495 to $8,959 | Students who want the fastest route from idea to pitch, with one to four weeks on or near a college campus |
| Year-round and online startup incubators | Young Founders Lab, INCubatoredu, Future Founders Be Your Own Boss, HEX High Accelerator, B-BAY Startup Launchpad | Free to $6,450 | Students who would rather build steadily alongside school, with online, evening, or in-class formats |
| Social impact startup incubators | Athena Summer Innovation Institute (Barnard), Rowan University Think Like an Entrepreneur, Seeds of Fortune Venture Fellowship, Babson Academy Summer Study | Free to $12,995 | Students who want to build a nonprofit, advocacy campaign, or mission-driven business, with a few low-cost or free options |
Summer Startup Incubators on College Campuses
These programs run for one to four weeks on or near a college campus. They're the fastest way to go from idea to pitch, and most include a taste of college life along the way.
1. B-BAY Summer Entrepreneurship Residency (UC Berkeley Haas)
Location: UC Berkeley Haas School of Business, Berkeley, CA (residential)
Cost/Stipend: About $7,450 for California residents and $7,950 for out-of-state students, plus a non-refundable application fee (estimate: third-party listings for the 2026 cycle; B-BAY's fee details sit behind its Dates & Fees page)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: About 10% across B-BAY's 2026 high school sessions, per B-BAY; around 50 students attend the residency each year
Dates: Two 2-week residential sessions each July; in 2026 they ran July 5 to 18 and July 19 to August 1
Application deadline: 2026 applications are closed; 2027 dates haven't been posted yet, so join B-BAY's contact list for the announcement (estimate based on the closed 2026 cycle)
Eligibility: Academically motivated high school students; B-BAY's high school programs generally serve rising 10th to 12th graders (estimate based on B-BAY's other high school program pages)
You arrive without a business idea and leave with a full team business plan. Over two weeks, Haas professors and corporate guest speakers teach the core business subjects, and teams spend lab time researching their market before presenting the plan on the final day. There's also a strong college-life layer, with an undergrad panel, campus activities, and a session with Berkeley admissions staff.
Who it's best for: A student who is curious about business but doesn't have a venture yet, and wants a structured, selective residential program to build a first business plan with a team.
2. B-BAY High School Founder Bootcamp (UC Berkeley Haas)
Location: UC Berkeley campus, Berkeley, CA (residential, hacker-house style)
Cost/Stipend: About $7,450 per team member or $7,950 for a solo founder, plus a $100 non-refundable application fee (estimate: third-party listings and the official application page's search listing; fee details are collapsed on the live page)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; shortlisted teams and solo founders are interviewed before acceptance, and B-BAY reports about a 10% acceptance rate across its 2026 high school sessions
Dates: Two weeks in mid-June; the 2026 program ran June 14 to 27
Application deadline: 2026 applications are closed; the 2026 deadline fell in February, so expect a similar winter window for 2027 (estimate based on the official page's 2026 listing)
Eligibility: High school teams or solo founders with a validated product that already has traction, ideally 250+ active users or $1,000+ in revenue; earlier-stage, high-potential founders are encouraged to apply anyway
This is B-BAY's accelerator track, built for founders who are past the idea stage. You bring a product that already has users or revenue, then spend two weeks in Growth Labs learning growth tactics, testing changes on real users, and measuring the results. It wraps up with a demo for funding opportunities.
Who it's best for: A founder who already has real users or sales and wants two weeks of focused help scaling, rather than starting from a blank page.
3. Wharton Global Youth: Essentials of Entrepreneurship
Location: Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA (residential)
Cost/Stipend: The 2027 fee isn't posted yet; the program charged $7,599 in 2024 (estimate; check Wharton Global Youth's Costs & Aid page once 2027 pricing goes live)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective, based on academic record and interest; no acceptance rate published
Dates: Four 2-week sessions in 2027: June 6 to 19, June 20 to July 3, July 11 to 24, and July 25 to August 7
Application deadline: Applications open in November; the priority deadline is January 27, 2027, and the final deadline is March 19, 2027
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 to 11; international students are welcome and no business background is needed
Taught by Wharton faculty, this program walks you through finding an idea you actually care about and then testing it. You build a minimum viable product, run A/B tests, and interview real customers, then pitch your venture to judges at the end. It's a strong introduction for younger students who want a well-structured first startup experience.
Who it's best for: A 9th or 10th grader who wants a name-brand residential program with a clear, step-by-step method for testing an idea before building it.
4. Wharton Global Youth: Innovation and Startup Culture
Location: Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA (residential); the program has moved from San Francisco, though parts of its page still mention San Francisco logistics
Cost/Stipend: The 2027 fee isn't posted yet; the 2026 San Francisco edition was listed at about $8,959 plus a $100 application fee (estimate based on third-party listings)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective, based on academic record and interest; no acceptance rate published
Dates: Two 2-week sessions in 2027: June 20 to July 3 and July 11 to 24
Application deadline: The priority deadline is January 27, 2027, and the final deadline is March 17, 2027
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 to 11; international students are welcome
This program focuses on ventures that aim to make money and do good at the same time. Students use AI tools for ideation and research, visit startups in the local ecosystem, and develop a hybrid venture that balances commercial and social goals before pitching it. Check the program page closely for logistics, since it recently relocated to Philadelphia.
Who it's best for: A student who wants to build a venture with a social mission baked in and is excited to use AI tools in the process.
5. Babson Startup Sprint: Two Weeks to Launch!
Location: Babson College, Wellesley, MA, with residential, commuter, and online options
Cost/Stipend: Varies by format (residential, commuter, or online) and by how many weeks you enroll (estimate; Babson lists pricing on its Apply & Cost page)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No published acceptance rate; this is a non-credit summer program rather than a competitive cohort (estimate based on Babson's program description)
Dates: A two-week course inside Babson's July summer program; the 2026 program window ran July 6 to 31
Application deadline: Rolling; in 2026, applications were accepted through May 1 (estimate based on the 2026 cycle)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors (estimate based on Babson's 2026 summer program listing)
Babson is one of the best-known entrepreneurship schools in the country, and this course compresses its approach into a two-week build. You go from an idea to a launch-ready concept in two weeks, using Babson's Entrepreneurial Thought and Action method. The online option makes it one of the few campus-backed sprints you can do from home.
Who it's best for: A student who wants a short, intense startup sprint from a top entrepreneurship school and needs the flexibility of an online or commuter option.
6. Allsup Entrepreneurship Academy (Saint Louis University)
Location: Chaifetz School of Business, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO (in-person day program)
Cost/Stipend: $695, which includes lunch each day; scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No published acceptance rate; spots are filled through registration (estimate based on SLU's registration process)
Dates: One week each summer, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily; the 2026 academy ran July 20 to 24
Application deadline: Registration runs through SLU's summer camps portal until spots fill; the 2027 window hasn't been posted yet (estimate)
Eligibility: High school students (estimate; SLU's past listings describe the academy as a high school program)
This is a compact, hands-on week where local founders come in to share how they actually built their companies. Students work through innovation challenges with mentors and finish with a pitch competition. It's one of the most affordable campus options on this list.
Who it's best for: A student in the St. Louis area who wants an affordable, low-pressure week to test whether entrepreneurship is for them.
7. Howard University Summer Enrichment Entrepreneurship Program (SEEP)
Location: Howard University School of Business, Washington, DC (residential)
Cost/Stipend: $2,000, which covers housing and meals; fee waivers are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Capped at 50 students per session
Dates: One week in late July; Howard's 2026 page lists SEEP under both its July 18 to 24 session and its July 25 to 31 session, so confirm your week directly with the program
Application deadline: For 2026, early decision closed March 16 and regular decision closed April 3; expect a similar spring window for 2027 (estimate based on the 2026 cycle)
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors
Howard's program pairs entrepreneurship training with a real taste of college life at one of the country's leading HBCUs. Students develop and pitch a business concept while also getting college-readiness sessions on the side. The small cohort keeps the week personal.
Who it's best for: A sophomore or junior interested in studying business at an HBCU who wants a short residential week to build and pitch an idea.
8. UW Foster Business Startup Bootcamp (University of Washington)
Location: Foster School of Business, University of Washington, Seattle, WA (commuter or residential)
Cost/Stipend: $2,998 for commuters; residential students pay about $1,300 more for housing
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited spaces; no acceptance rate published (estimate)
Dates: One week each July; the 2026 bootcamp ran July 19 to 25
Application deadline: Rolling until spots fill; 2027 dates and deadlines haven't been posted yet (estimate based on the 2026 cycle)
Eligibility: Rising 10th to 12th graders and graduating seniors
This bootcamp leans toward physical products. Students prototype in a university makerspace, work in teams with Foster faculty and mentors, and pitch their startup at the end of the week. It's a good fit if you like building something you can hold.
Who it's best for: A student in the Pacific Northwest who wants to build and prototype a physical product rather than an app or service.
9. UC San Diego Extended Studies Startup Bootcamp
Location: UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA (in person)
Cost/Stipend: $495 for the course, which carries 1.5 units
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment with no application; seats are limited (estimate based on UCSD's course registration)
Dates: One week each July, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily; the 2026 session ran July 20 to 24
Application deadline: Pre-enrollment is required, and refunds closed June 29 in 2026; 2027 registration hasn't opened yet (estimate based on the 2026 cycle)
Eligibility: High school students
This is a short, practical crash course in startup basics, taught by an instructor with a venture capital background. At under $500, it's the lowest-cost campus option in this section, and you earn course units for it. It works well as a first step before committing to a longer program.
Who it's best for: A student near San Diego on a tight budget who wants a one-week, low-risk introduction before trying a bigger incubator.
10. Tufts Entrepreneurship and Innovation Bootcamp
Location: Tufts University, Medford/Somerville campus, near Boston, MA (residential or commuter)
Cost/Stipend: $5,750 residential or $4,225 commuter, with a $550 deposit applied toward the fee; limited need-based aid for domestic students
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Rolling admission; no acceptance rate published (estimate based on Tufts' rolling review process)
Dates: Two weeks in summer; Tufts hasn't posted 2027 dates yet, and the 2026 session ran in July (estimate)
Application deadline: Summer 2027 applications open December 14, 2026, and close May 1, 2027; payment is due May 15
Eligibility: Students entering grades 10 to 12 or graduating in 2027; residential students must be 15 to 19
Run with Tufts' Derby Entrepreneurship Center, this bootcamp lets your team build a startup, a small business, or a nonprofit, whichever fits your idea. Week one covers frameworks and pitching practice, and week two focuses on the team venture and business case. It ends with a Demo Day pitch to a panel of judges.
Who it's best for: A student who isn't sure whether their idea is a company or a nonprofit and wants a program flexible enough to build either.
Year-Round and Online Startup Incubators
If you'd rather build steadily than sprint, these programs run during the school year or fully online, so you can keep your venture going alongside classes.
11. Young Founders Lab
Location: 100% virtual, with live interactive workshops and one-on-one mentorship
Cost/Stipend: $2,900 for the core program; full financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No published rate or cohort size; selective via online application, an admissions review, and an interview process (estimate)
Dates: Cohorts run at scheduled points across the year; team track lasts about 4 weeks, individual track about 12 weeks; the most recently confirmed cohort started in June
Application deadline: Rolling within the cycle; the most recently confirmed cycle's deadlines fell in March, April, and May
Eligibility: Open to all high school students; students can build individually or as part of a team
Founded and run by Harvard entrepreneurs, Young Founders Lab is a real-world startup bootcamp modeled on incubators like Y Combinator. Students spend the program building an actual revenue-generating startup, moving through business fundamentals and ideation, a market-research and MVP-building phase, and a growth and go-to-market phase that ends in a demo day. Mentorship comes from entrepreneurs who've worked at companies including Google, Microsoft, and Meta.
Who it's best for: A student who wants to build and launch a real, revenue-generating company rather than study business theoretically.
12. INCubatoredu (Uncharted Learning)
Location: Taught in person at partner high schools across the US
Cost/Stipend: Usually no direct cost to students; the school pays to license the program (estimate based on Uncharted Learning's school-partnership model)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open to students at participating schools through regular course selection; there's no separate admissions process
Dates: A full academic year; schools that continue can offer ACCELeratoredu as a second year
Application deadline: Set by your school's course registration deadlines
Eligibility: High school students at member schools, with the year-long course typically taken in grades 10 to 12
INCubatoredu turns entrepreneurship into a real class. Students form teams, develop a product or service, and work with volunteer coaches and mentors from the local business community across the year. It finishes with a pitch to a panel of local investors, often with real funding on the line.
Who it's best for: A student whose high school already offers it, or who's willing to ask their school to sign on, and wants a full year of startup work built into the school day.
13. Future Founders Be Your Own Boss Internship
Location: Virtual, on Zoom; some cohorts include in-person events in Chicago
Cost/Stipend: Free, and participants can earn a stipend of up to $250
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited spots; no acceptance rate published
Dates: The next cohort runs January 12 to February 4, 2027, on Tuesday to Thursday evenings from 5 to 7:15 p.m. Central
Application deadline: Applications for the next cohort are currently closed, with a waitlist open
Eligibility: Current high school students living in the US
This is a short, after-school internship where you start a business idea and learn by doing. It's free and actually pays you a small stipend, which makes it one of the most accessible options on this list. Sessions are in the evening, so it fits around school.
Who it's best for: A student who needs a free, low-commitment option that fits around a school schedule and wants to test entrepreneurship without paying tuition.
14. HEX High Accelerator
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: AUD 1,190, roughly US$780 at current exchange rates (estimate for the US dollar conversion); need-based scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment; no acceptance rate published (estimate based on HEX's enrollment model)
Dates: Runs each school term; for 2027, Term 1 runs February 8 to March 19 and Term 2 runs May 3 to June 11
Application deadline: Term 1 enrollment closes January 12, 2027
Eligibility: Students in grades 10 to 12
HEX is built to run alongside school, with about four hours of self-paced video each week plus one live masterclass. Students who complete it earn a certificate issued with the University of Sydney. The schedule is set around Australian school terms, so check how the live sessions line up with your time zone.
Who it's best for: A student who wants a part-time online accelerator they can do during the school year and values a university-issued certificate.
15. B-BAY High School Startup Launchpad (UC Berkeley Haas)
Location: Virtual, with live sessions twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays
Cost/Stipend: About $5,450 for California residents and $6,450 for out-of-state students (estimate based on third-party listings; B-BAY's fee details sit behind its Dates & Fees page)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Described as highly selective; B-BAY reports about a 10% acceptance rate across its 2026 high school sessions
Dates: Two semesters across the academic year
Application deadline: Applications are open; B-BAY hasn't posted a firm deadline, so apply early (estimate)
Eligibility: Rising 10th to 12th graders and gap year students
Launchpad is B-BAY's year-long, online track for students who want to keep building after summer ends. Teams pressure-test a business idea over two semesters, starting with the Business Model Canvas in the fall and moving into implementation. Students finish with a UC Berkeley certificate and a personalized evaluation letter.
Who it's best for: A student who wants steady, two-semester structure from a top business school rather than a single summer sprint.
16. TiE Young Entrepreneurs (TYE)
Location: In person through local TiE chapters; the TiE DC chapter meets at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA
Cost/Stipend: Varies by chapter; TiE DC charged $600 for its 2026 program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Application-based; no acceptance rate published (estimate)
Dates: Varies by chapter; TiE DC's 2026 program ran on Saturdays from February 28 to April 25, with a global competition each June
Application deadline: Set by each chapter; TiE DC's 2026 applications ran November 21 to December 22, 2025
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 to 12
TYE puts students into teams that build a startup over a semester with mentors from TiE's network of founders and executives. Top teams from local chapters advance to a global pitch competition. Since every chapter runs its own version, check your nearest chapter for dates and costs.
Who it's best for: A student who wants a team-based weekend program with strong mentor access and a path to a global pitch competition, and lives near a TiE chapter.
Social Impact Startup Incubators
These incubators put a social mission at the center, whether that means a nonprofit, an advocacy campaign, or a business designed to help a community.
17. Athena Summer Innovation Institute (Barnard College)
Location: Barnard College, New York, NY (residential)
Cost/Stipend: About $10,771 for the 2026 residential program (estimate based on third-party listings; Barnard's page doesn't list a fee)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No published acceptance rate; the course is capped at around 45 students (estimate based on a Columbia program directory)
Dates: Three weeks each summer; the 2026 institute ran June 29 to July 17
Application deadline: Rolling; 2027 dates and deadlines haven't been posted yet (estimate)
Eligibility: High school students ages 15 to 18 (estimate based on third-party listings)
Athena is built around women's leadership and mission-driven ventures. Teams can create a startup, a nonprofit, or an advocacy campaign, with help from Barnard's Speaking Fellows on pitching and site visits to women-owned businesses in New York. It all comes together at a final Pitchfest.
Who it's best for: A student drawn to women-led, mission-driven work who wants the freedom to build a nonprofit or advocacy campaign, not only a company.
18. Rowan University Think Like an Entrepreneur (TLAE)
Location: Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ (in person)
Cost/Stipend: Free, funded by the TD Charitable Foundation
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No published acceptance rate; recent cohorts have had around 90 students (estimate based on Rowan news coverage)
Dates: Four days in late June; the 2025 program ran June 23 to 26, and Rowan hasn't posted newer dates (estimate)
Application deadline: Applications usually open each March; the 2025 deadline was May 18 (estimate based on the 2025 cycle)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors living in the US (based on the 2025 cycle)
TLAE is a short, free program with an unusual perk: students can earn 3 college credits. Over four days, students work through entrepreneurial problem-solving focused on real community needs and pitch their ideas at the end. Because the official page still shows 2025 details, confirm the current cycle before applying.
Who it's best for: A student near South Jersey or Philadelphia who wants a free, few-day program that also earns college credit.
19. Seeds of Fortune Innovation Career and Venture Fellowship (Venture Track)
Location: Virtual classes, with an in-person final pitch in Miami (travel covered) and an orientation in New York
Cost/Stipend: A $25 membership fee; finalists can win up to $3,000 for their business or as a scholarship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No published acceptance rate
Dates: A year-long cohort; the 2026 to 2027 cohort runs virtual classes from May to July, a Miami pitch-off in July, and monthly college-prep sessions through May 2027
Application deadline: The 2026 to 2027 cohort is closed; applications usually open in spring for high school juniors (estimate based on past cycles)
Eligibility: High school juniors at public or parochial schools with a household income of $125,000 or less; open to all genders, nationwide
This fellowship, run by a nonprofit focused on underserved students, combines venture building with a full year of college support. In the Venture Track, you turn a business idea into an investor-ready pitch and compete in Miami for funding. Senior year continues with one-on-one support, scholarship guidance, and admissions speakers.
Who it's best for: A junior from a lower-income household who wants a nearly free, year-long program that pairs building a venture with hands-on college support.
20. Babson Academy Summer Study
Location: Online or in person at Babson's New England campus, MA
Cost/Stipend: About $12,995 for the in-person program in 2026 (estimate based on third-party listings; Babson lists pricing on its Program Cost page)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No published acceptance rate; sections typically have around 30 students (estimate based on a Babson staffing listing)
Dates: Three weeks in July; the 2026 program ran July 8 to 28
Application deadline: The 2026 registration deadline was February 13, so expect a similar winter deadline for 2027 (estimate based on the 2026 cycle)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
Summer Study frames entrepreneurship around big global problems, using the UN Sustainable Development Goals as a starting point. Students earn 4 college credits while working in teams to design solutions with Babson's Entrepreneurial Thought and Action method. It's the most academic option in this section.
Who it's best for: A student who wants college credit and prefers to start from a global challenge rather than a product idea.
Frequently asked questions: startup incubator programs for high school students
1. Do you need a business idea to join a startup incubator?
No, most beginner-friendly incubators don’t expect you to show up with an idea. Programs like B-BAY’s Summer Entrepreneurship Residency and Wharton’s Essentials of Entrepreneurship walk you through finding and testing one as part of the curriculum. Accelerator-style programs are the exception, since B-BAY’s Founder Bootcamp looks for 250+ active users or $1,000+ in revenue, though it still encourages earlier-stage founders to apply. If you’re starting from zero, our guide to coming up with a startup idea in high school can give you a head start.
2. How do you apply to a startup incubator as a high school student?
You usually apply online, and the more selective programs add essays, a recommendation, or an interview. B-BAY’s Founder Bootcamp, for example, asks for a recommender and a dashboard showing your users or revenue. Deadlines for summer programs mostly fall between January and May, with Wharton Global Youth’s priority deadline set for January 27, 2027. Shorter courses like UC San Diego’s Startup Bootcamp skip the application and fill through registration, so enrolling early matters there too. For a step-by-step walkthrough, see our guide on how to apply to teen startup incubators.
3. Are there online startup incubators for high school students?
Yes, several incubators run fully online, so you can build a venture from anywhere and fit it around school. B-BAY’s Startup Launchpad meets virtually twice a week across two semesters, HEX runs its accelerator part-time each school term, and Future Founders’ Be Your Own Boss meets on Zoom in the evenings. Young Founders Lab is also fully virtual, pairing live workshops with one-on-one mentorship while you build a revenue-generating startup on your own or with a team. For more options, see our list of online startup incubators for high school students.
4. Can you win funding through a high school startup incubator?
Some programs offer prize money or stipends, but most won’t invest in your company the way adult accelerators do. Seeds of Fortune finalists can win up to $3,000 for their business or as a scholarship, and B-BAY’s Founder Bootcamp ends with a demo for funding opportunities. A few programs even pay you to take part, like Future Founders, which pays accepted students a stipend. Treat any money as a bonus and pick a program for the mentorship and what you’ll build.
5. Is a startup incubator better than an entrepreneurship club?
Neither is better, since they do different jobs and plenty of students do both. A club gives you a year-round, student-run space to explore ideas with friends at little or no cost. An incubator adds outside mentors, a fixed timeline, and a pitch at the end, so you’re pushed to make decisions on a deadline. If your school doesn’t have a club yet, our guide to entrepreneurship clubs you can start walks you through launching one.
6. What do you do in a high school entrepreneurship class?
In an incubator-style class, you spend the year building a business with a team instead of studying business from a textbook. INCubatoredu, which runs as a course at partner high schools, has teams develop a product or service with volunteer coaches and mentors from the local business community. The year ends with a pitch to a panel of local investors, often with funding at stake. Ask your school counselor whether your school offers it, or whether it could sign on.