13 Internships at VC Firms for High School Students Interested in Business
Explore 13 unique internship opportunities at VC firms designed for high school students passionate about business and eager to gain real-world experience.
If you’re a high school student aiming for a career in finance or venture capital, internships at VC firms can be one of the best (and most practical) ways to explore this path. These internships give you the chance to understand how startup funding works, how investment decisions are made, and how firms manage portfolios over time.
You might be asked to research companies, look into markets, help organize data, or support due diligence. That means digging into a company’s model, figuring out what problems it’s solving, and helping assess whether it’s worth investing in. You’ll begin to see how early-stage companies pitch ideas, how investors decide which ones to back, and how financial models are used to judge risk and growth potential.
For high school students, this kind of exposure can help make future decisions clearer. You’ll learn how venture capital connects to business, economics, and public impact. You’ll also begin to build a foundation in research, analysis, and communication, all useful whether you go into finance, economics, policy, or startup work later on.
With that, here are 13 internships at VC firms for high school students interested in business! (Disclaimer: Some internships may not be at VC firms directly, but they involve work related to venture capital, finance, or startups.)
13 Internships at VC Firms for High School Students Interested in Business
1. Ladder Internships
Cost: Varies according to program (financial aid available)
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Ladder Internships is a selective internship matching high schoolers to remote projects at startups, some of which are VC-backed. You get matched with a company based on your interests in AI, health tech, marketing, journalism, and more. Many of them have raised serious funding and are led by people who’ve worked at places like Google, Microsoft, or gone through Y Combinator. During the 8-week internship, you’ll work on actual projects with guidance from both your startup manager and a Ladder Coach. You’ll learn how to manage tasks, communicate well, and take ownership of your work. At the end, you present your project to the company.
2. Junior VC Program – Women Founders Network
Location: Online and in-person events in Los Angeles, CA
Cost: $800 for in-person events; $100 for online-only; need-based scholarships available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Dates: June through October
Application Deadline: May 31
Eligibility: Young women in grades 9–12 as of October
The Junior VC Program, offered by the Women Founders Network, introduces high school girls to the fundamentals of venture capital through workshops, mentorship, and real-world pitch analysis. You’ll explore topics such as funding rounds, startup evaluation, and investment strategies while learning directly from experienced women in the VC and startup ecosystem. The program offers both virtual and in-person components, including pitch events and speaker panels. You'll also connect with a supportive network of peers and mentors committed to increasing diversity in finance and entrepreneurship.
3. Young Founders Lab
Location: Virtual
Cost: Tuition required; limited need-based financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; cohort size varies by session
Dates: Varies by cohort
Application Deadline: Early: March | Regular 1: April | Regular 2: May
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
The Young Founders Lab is an online startup program for high school students. You work with mentors, some of whom are Harvard grads or have experience at places like Google and Microsoft, to build your own business from scratch. Throughout the program, you come up with an idea, develop a product, and learn how to market and grow it. You’ll join live workshops, get feedback, and pitch your startup at the end. It’s open to both for-profit and nonprofit ideas.
4. 1435 Capital Management LLC – Venture Analyst Internship
Location: Princeton, New Jersey (Hybrid)
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly competitive; 3–4 students selected per year
Dates: 10 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: First week of April
Eligibility: Rising juniors or seniors (16+); must be able to commute to Princeton, NJ.
The Venture Analyst Internship at 1435 Capital Management is a paid, 10-week summer program for high school juniors and seniors who are serious about finance and startups. You’ll work with real companies that are either growing fast or preparing to go public. Your tasks include researching investments, analyzing markets, finding new deals, and tracking portfolio performance. You’ll also help with due diligence and learn how venture capital firms make decisions. The internship is hybrid, so you’ll work remotely and also travel to Princeton, New Jersey, for some in-person sessions.
5. Michigan Ross Summer Business Academy
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan (University of Michigan, Ross School of Business)
Cost: $5,500
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Dates: June 13 - 27
Application Deadline: January 21
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors with a GPA of 3.0 or higher
Hosted by the Ross School of Business, the Michigan Ross Summer Business Academy is a pre-college program that introduces students to core business fields, including marketing, finance, entrepreneurship, and leadership. You'll participate in workshops, group projects, and sessions led by Ross faculty and alumni, gaining a strong foundation in business theory and its practical applications. The program emphasizes critical thinking, collaboration, and communication, while offering a glimpse into life at a top business school. You'll also live on campus and engage in networking activities with business professionals and current students.
6. Harvard Ventures–TECH Summer Program (HVTSP)
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: $4,750 plus a US$35 application fee; need-based scholarships available
Dates: Session I: June 9 to July 18; Session II: July 7 to August 15
Application Deadline: Early: February 28; Regular: April 14
Eligibility: Open to high school students with a strong interest in entrepreneurship, innovation, and venture creation
The Harvard Ventures–TECH Summer Program is an opportunity for high school students to gain startup and VC experience through a six-week internship at a venture-backed startup. You’ll be matched directly with a founder or CEO and contribute to business development, marketing, strategy, or product roles. Alongside this internship, you’ll attend virtual sessions with Harvard faculty, serial entrepreneurs, and investors to explore startup theory, VC funding, and tech innovation. HVTSP’s guaranteed internship model sets it apart, allowing you to build your resume with industry exposure while building a robust network.
7. Wharton Global High School Investment Competition
Location: Virtual, with finals at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Open enrollment; competitive advancement to finals
Dates: September – April annually
Application Deadline: September 12
Eligibility: Open to high school student teams (usually teacher-sponsored) worldwide
The Wharton Global High School Investment Competition is a virtual simulation that allows high school students to act as investment analysts, managing a $250,000 virtual portfolio. You’ll build a long-term investment strategy based on a client profile and justify your decisions using financial analysis and market trends. Over several months, your team will write reports, adjust your portfolio, and present the findings to a panel of judges comprising Wharton faculty and finance professionals. Top teams are invited to pitch live at Wharton.
8. The Knowledge Society (TKS) – Innovate Program
Location: Major global cities and virtual
Cost: Financial aid available
Dates: Year-round, with an intensive summer option
Application Deadline: July 31
Eligibility: High school students aged 13–17, passionate about innovation and venture capital
The TKS Innovate Program is a 10-month experience for students aged 13 to 17 who want to explore advanced fields like artificial intelligence, gene editing, robotics, and quantum computing. You’ll build projects like robots, biotech tools, or apps and get personal feedback from mentors at places like Microsoft, SpaceX, and Stanford. The program runs both online and in-person in cities like New York, Toronto, and Dubai. You’ll join weekly sessions, learn how to speak confidently, solve problems, and lead teams.
9. Suffolk University Summer Entrepreneurship Program
Location: Suffolk University campus, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; priority to rising seniors
Dates: July 8–25
Application Deadline: April 12
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors; rising juniors considered if space allows
The Suffolk University Summer Entrepreneurship Program is a free, in-person experience for high school students, held at the Sawyer Business School in Boston. Over three weeks, you’ll learn how to build a startup from scratch, starting with brainstorming and market research, and ending with a pitch to real business leaders. You’ll work in teams, visit top entrepreneurship hubs around Boston, and hear directly from founders. You also earn three college credits and get help with your college applications. It’s designed for rising seniors, but juniors can apply if space is available.
10. Warner Bros Reach Honorship Program – Business Track
Location: Warner Bros. Discovery Studios, Burbank, California
Cost/Stipend: Free; $5,000 scholarship stipend toward college tuition
Dates: Varies by year
Application Deadline: Early February (exact date varies annually)
Eligibility: High school seniors in Burbank or Los Angeles County with a minimum 3.0 GPA, planning to attend an accredited college or university
The Warner Bros. Reach Honorship Program – Business Track is for high school seniors in Burbank or Los Angeles County who want to explore the business side of media. If you’re accepted, you’ll intern at Warner Bros. Studios in California each summer during college, working in departments like marketing, finance, communications, and operations. You’ll get paired with mentors, attend networking events, and see how the entertainment industry runs behind the scenes. The program also gives you a $5,000 scholarship, paid in $1,250 chunks over four years, as long as you keep a 2.8 GPA in college.
11. High School Internship – Port of Seattle
Location: Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: Free; Paid at $18/hour
Dates: 8-week program (summer and winter sessions available)
Application Deadline: May (for summer); November (for winter)
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+ and currently enrolled in school
The Port of Seattle’s High School Internship Program is a paid summer opportunity for students at least 16 years old who are enrolled in or recently graduated from high school. You’ll work on projects in areas like aviation, maritime, governance, and community engagement. The program teaches you business skills like public speaking, project management, and process improvement, and you’ll also learn how to use workplace tech and follow the Port’s Code of Conduct. Interns get mentorship, go on facility tours, and join resume and LinkedIn workshops.
12. Jimerson Birr High School Internship Program
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Cost/Stipend: Free
Dates: 4–6 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Typically in the spring
Eligibility: High school students, strong communication skills and an interest in business law
The Jimerson Birr High School Internship Program is a 4 to 6-week summer experience at a business law firm in Jacksonville, Florida. You’ll rotate through departments like legal services, accounting, marketing, and IT, helping with real tasks such as drafting documents, researching cases, and supporting attorneys. You’ll also get to sit in on client meetings and watch court proceedings. The program focuses on building skills like communication, critical thinking, and teamwork - useful in law, business, and beyond.
13. Futures and Options Internship Program
Location: 111 Broadway, Manhattan, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; Paid internships available
Dates: 6 weeks in July and August
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Juniors and seniors enrolled in a New York City high school
The Futures and Options Internship Program is a paid summer opportunity for New York City high school juniors and seniors. You get matched with a company based on your interests, whether it’s business, media, finance, tech, or something else, and work there while building real-world experience. Alongside your internship, you’ll join workshops that teach you how to write resumes, manage money, and speak professionally. You’ll also go on field trips to places like BlackRock and Infor, and visit colleges to explore career paths.