14 Startup Internships for High School Students in California
Looking for internships? Check out these 14 startup opportunities in California for high school students. Gain hands-on experience and valuable insights!
What does it really feel like to work at a startup while you’re still in high school? If you’ve ever wondered, you’re not alone, and internships for high school students in California are a great way to find out. Startups move fast, solve practical problems, and expect every team member to contribute, creating a unique environment for learning by doing. Whether you're interested in tech, business, design, or marketing, working with a startup can give you hands-on experience that classroom lessons alone can’t provide. You’ll get to see how ideas turn into products, how teams tackle challenges, and how companies grow from the ground up.
To help you get an early start in your entrepreneurship journey, we’ve put together a list of internships for high school students in California that connect you with startups. These programs don’t just build your resume, they help you figure out what kind of work excites you, where your strengths lie, and how your skills apply outside of school. And since California is home to one of the most vibrant startup ecosystems in the world, you’ll be learning in a place where innovation happens every day.
Here are 14 startup internships for high school students in California:
Location: Remote. You can work from anywhere in the world.
Cost: Varies depending on program type (financial aid available)
Program 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: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
If you're looking to work directly with a fast-paced startup, the Ladder Internships program allows you to collaborate on projects across a range of industries. You’ll be placed with a high-growth company, many of which have raised over a million dollars in funding, and guided by both a startup manager and a dedicated Ladder Coach. The virtual internship typically runs for eight weeks and allows you to contribute meaningfully to business functions like AI, marketing, health tech, journalism, or consulting. You can explore all the options here on their application form. Throughout the experience, you’ll meet with your mentor regularly, complete deliverables tied to your role, and present your work to the company at the end. The program is selective, and applications are reviewed based on your academic interests and goals. This internship for high school students in California is entirely remote, which means you can participate from anywhere while building a portfolio and developing a deeper understanding of startup environments.
2. Young Founders Lab
Location: This program is 100% virtual, with live, interactive workshops
Cost: Varies depending on program type. There is need-based financial aid
Program Dates: Varies depending on cohort
Application deadline: There are 3 application deadlines that you can choose between: Early Decision Deadline: March | Regular Admission Deadline 1: April | Regular Admission Deadline 2: May.
Eligibility: The program is currently open to all high school students
For those interested in turning ideas into real products or services, the Young Founders Lab lets you experience the process of building a startup from the ground up. Over the course of several weeks, interns work in a team with peers under the mentorship of Harvard-affiliated entrepreneurs to solve real-world problems. The program includes virtual sessions on market research, product design, and pitching, as well as structured feedback to help you improve your startup ideas. You’ll build a minimum viable product (MVP), learn how to respond to user feedback, and ultimately present your project in a formal pitch session. Throughout the program, you’ll also have access to mentors from leading tech and business backgrounds. The remote internship for high school students in California is especially relevant if you want to gain early exposure to entrepreneurship and the startup ecosystem before college. You can check out the brochure for the program here.
3. KellynKai Summer High School Internship
Location: Silicon Valley and San Francisco, CA
Cost: $1,850
Program Dates: 6 weeks in the summer (exact dates vary)
Application deadline: May 31
Eligibility: Open to high school students that are graduating from grades 9–12
The KellynKai Summer High School Internship connects you with Silicon Valley startup founders and immerses you in roles like software engineering, marketing, project management, and digital strategy. You will start by rotating through different roles to understand the scope of each, before choosing one or two positions to focus on for the rest of the program. Daily one-on-one or small group meetings with a startup mentor help guide your progress and offer insight into the industry. You’ll contribute to ongoing startup projects rather than isolated assignments, which means the work you do may have a direct impact on the business. The internship for high school students in California also covers college and career readiness, with a strong mentorship component to help you develop both hard and soft skills. It also supports you in developing stronger college application materials.
4. iStart Valley High School Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: $700
Program Dates: January 24–May 8
Application deadline: November 28
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
The iStart Valley High School Internship is a five-month, remote program focused on nurturing entrepreneurial and technical skills through hands-on startup experiences. Rather than limiting you to a single role, the program immerses you in several areas, including design thinking, product-market fit analysis, and lean startup methodology. You’ll complete Stanford’s Design Thinking crash course, participate in a team of interns to lead real projects, and engage with mentors and guest speakers from across the startup ecosystem. You’ll be expected to dedicate 2 - 4 hours per week and attend web-based workshops and review sessions. The program also includes opportunities to earn the Presidential Service Award, recognizing your commitment and contribution. You’ll explore intersections of business and emerging technologies like AI and blockchain while developing skills in pitching, storytelling, and market research. Although it's rigorous, the program's remote format allows flexibility, making it a valuable internship for high school students in California who are eager to explore innovation.
5. SparkCampus Internship Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: No cost
Dates: July 6 - August 10
Application deadline: July 4
Eligibility: Open to students in grades 9–12
SparkCampus introduces you to the world of entrepreneurship through a five-week online internship with SparkPrintz, a student-led startup that creates custom merchandise. During the program, you’ll participate in weekly workshops to learn about sales, marketing, and business operations, all while contributing to a growing company. You’ll also hear from industry speakers and collaborate with other interns in live sessions designed to simulate real startup challenges. The experience includes opportunities to negotiate actual client deals and implement marketing strategies, giving you a taste of business decision-making in action. The program includes mentorship to help you strengthen your professional skills. Interns are also paid during the internship for high school students in California, making it a financially accessible way to explore business.
6. Leangap
Location: Virtual or UC Berkeley
Cost: Online: $6,450 | San Francisco: $9,950
Program Dates: Online: June 17–July 12 | San Francisco: July 15–August 9
Application deadline: Rolling deadlines
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
At Leangap, you won’t just talk about startups, you’ll actually build one. This intensive summer program is designed to walk you through every phase of launching a product, from coming up with an idea and testing it with real customers, to refining it and pitching it to investors. You’ll work in a team, supported by experienced mentors and entrepreneurs, and follow a structured four-phase curriculum: ideation, product creation, user feedback, and investor pitching. The program is available both in-person in Silicon Valley and remotely for students worldwide, with live instruction, team collaboration, and access to industry leaders. You’ll be expected to take on leadership roles within your team and to meet real-world expectations under tight timelines. By the end of the program, you’ll have launched a functioning startup and gained experience that’s difficult to replicate in a classroom setting.
7. VenturEd High School Fellowship
Location: Virtual
Cost: No cost
Program Dates: 8 weeks (exact dates vary)
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
The VenturEd High School Fellowship connects you with early-stage startups in Silicon Valley through an eight-week, fully remote internship experience. As a Fellow, you’ll be matched with a startup based on your interests, and you’ll take on meaningful responsibilities in areas like data analysis, digital marketing, design, or product management. Training and mentorship are key features of the program, which includes technical prep and support from professionals working in the industry. This internship for high school students in California focuses on accessibility and aims to include students from all backgrounds, with a particular focus on underrepresented groups in entrepreneurship. You’ll also engage in weekly sessions to build workplace skills and receive guidance on college and career planning. Rather than assisting with administrative tasks, you’ll be expected to make a tangible contribution to your host company’s goals.
8. Genesys Works
Location: Various locations
Cost: No cost
Program Dates: 8 weeks of summer training between the junior and senior year
Application deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Open to juniors in high school who are on track to graduate, are able to work in the U.S., and can have an adjusted school schedule their senior year
Genesys Works is a year-long program that begins with an eight-week summer training in both professional and technical skills, followed by a paid internship during your senior year of high school. After completing the summer component, you’ll work 20 hours per week in an entry-level role at a partner company while continuing your studies. The program is aimed at helping you build workplace confidence, expand your network, and prepare for college and future employment. You’ll learn how to deliver professional introductions, collaborate with a team, and use technical tools relevant to your internship role, whether that’s IT, data management, or project coordination. As an intern, you will receive ongoing mentorship and access to college application and financial aid resources through Genesys Works’ support programs. The internship for high school students in California is paid, and also contributes to your broader career development by including alumni support after high school graduation.
9. SFUSD’s Summer Internships
Location: San Francisco
Cost: Paid (minimum 20 hours/week)
Program Dates: Varies by industry sector
Application deadline: Applications will open in February
Eligibility: Open to rising juniors and seniors, with priority given to 11th grade students
The San Francisco Unified School District runs a summer internship program that places high school students in a variety of industries across the Bay Area. As a participant, you’ll work a minimum of 20 hours per week for six weeks, earn a paycheck, and attend weekly seminars focused on workplace learning. Industries range from engineering and architecture to public leadership, culinary arts, and urban agriculture. You’ll be placed in a role based on your interests and have the opportunity to work directly with mentors in that field. The internship for high school students in California helps you develop essential skills like communication, problem-solving, and time management, while also giving you insight into the day-to-day realities of different careers. It’s a way to connect academic learning with real-world applications, especially for students who want to explore career paths before entering college.
10. Home Run Internship Program by the City of West Sacramento
Location: Local businesses and institutions in and around Sacramento
Cost: Interns are paid the California Minimum Wage
Program Dates: 8 weeks between June and August
Application deadline: April (tentative)
Eligibility: Open to students who are 16 years old by the first day of the internship
Through the Home Run Internship Program, students from the Washington Unified School District can spend eight weeks gaining full-time, paid work experience with businesses in West Sacramento. You’ll work up to 40 hours per week at California's minimum wage while also completing comprehensive training sessions that are built into your schedule. These training modules focus on essential skills like communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving, skills that apply no matter what field you pursue. As an intern, you’ll also have the opportunity to earn college credit through Sacramento City College, adding an academic dimension to your work experience. Interns are selected based on availability and alignment with participating employers, and each placement is structured to ensure meaningful engagement in day-to-day operations. The city provides training and oversight to ensure that the experience is not just about completing tasks but about learning how actual workplaces function.
11. Met Sacramento High School’s Internship Program
Location: Met Sacramento High School, Sacramento
Cost: No cost
Program Dates: Year-round
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Applicants must be enrolled at the Met Sacramento High School and available to participate in shadow days
At The Met Sacramento High School, internships are integrated directly into the academic year, offering you the chance to explore your interests in a hands-on setting every Tuesday and Thursday. Starting in 9th grade, you’ll participate in shadow days where you visit local professionals to observe their work and ask questions. If the shadow experience aligns with your interests and the mentor’s expectations, you can convert it into a regular internship that lasts for an academic year. Your time at the internship counts for elective credit toward graduation, and each placement is designed to be as practical and personalized as possible. You’ll gain direct insight into the work involved in your chosen field and have the opportunity to take on real responsibilities, depending on the project and the level of commitment from both you and your mentor. The internship for high school students in California focuses on experiential learning, aiming to bridge classroom concepts with real-world application.