15 Business Summer Programs for High School Students in Washington State
Explore 15 top summer business programs in Washington State designed for high school students. Gain valuable experience and insights for your career!
If you’re thinking about studying business in high school or college, joining a summer program is a great way to get started early. If that’s something you’re interested in, there are a few ways you can go about it.
One of the most effective ways is to apply to a business summer program designed for high school students. These programs are usually hosted by universities, local organizations, or companies, and they give you a chance to explore business topics through hands-on learning. You might work on startup ideas, manage a mock budget, learn how marketing strategies are built, or understand how businesses use data to make decisions.
Most of the programs in the list below run in the summer, so you can attend without interrupting your school year. As a participant, you’ll take part in group projects, improve your communication and leadership skills, and build experience that can help when applying to college or future internships. If you’re applying as a business major, showing that you’ve taken part in programs like these can help your application stand out.
To help you get started, here’s a list of 15 business summer programs for high school students in Washington State!
15 Business Summer Programs for High School Students in Washington State
1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program – Business & Entrepreneurship Track
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Full financial aid is available!
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a 12-week remote research experience where you work one-on-one with a PhD mentor from a top university like Harvard, Stanford, or Oxford. You’ll choose business or entrepreneurship and develop an independent research project. Topics include market design, behavioral economics, startup ecosystems, finance, and business strategy. Each week includes structured mentorship sessions to help you refine your research question, analyze data, and improve your academic writing. You’ll finish with a publication-ready paper that can be submitted to journals or used in college applications. Financial aid is available, and you can earn college credit through UC San Diego Extended Studies.
2. Summer Business Institute
Location: Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: Free; $50 registration deposit only
Dates: July 19 – July 25
Application Deadline: Applications typically open in winter and close by early spring
Eligibility: High school students currently in grades 9–11; students from historically marginalized backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply
The Summer Business Institute (SBI) is a one-week, residential program where high school students explore business and entrepreneurship on Seattle University’s campus. You’ll earn 2 college credits while working in teams, attending lectures, and visiting local companies. The program focuses on hands-on learning and leadership development, with activities like business simulations and career panels. You’ll stay in campus dorms, connect with faculty and peers, and get support with college planning and career exploration after the program ends.
3. Young Founders Lab
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Tuition required; limited need-based financial aid may be available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size varies by session
Dates: Varies depending on cohort
Application Deadline: Early: March | Regular 1: April | Regular 2: May
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
The Young Founders Lab is a virtual startup incubator where high school students build real, revenue-generating businesses. You’ll work in a team or one-on-one with a mentor to launch a startup that solves a real-world problem. The program includes live workshops, case studies, and pitch coaching, with guidance from founders and professionals from companies like Google and Microsoft. You’ll learn how to develop an MVP, test your idea, and present it to investors on Demo Day. The team-based program runs in fixed summer sessions, while the individual track offers flexible start dates.
4. Young Women’s Leadership Summit – University of Washington
Location: Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; rising senior girls across Washington State
Dates: 5 days in summer (exact dates vary annually)
Application Deadline: April 30
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors in Washington State; first-generation and/or economically disadvantaged students are strongly encouraged to apply
Lead Forward is a free, five-day summer summit for rising high school seniors in Washington State who want to explore leadership and business. You’ll take part in company visits, interactive workshops, roundtable discussions, and networking sessions with UW faculty, staff, and business professionals. The program focuses on leadership, teamwork, career exploration, and real-world business skills. Lead Forward is especially supportive of first-generation college-bound students and those from underrepresented backgrounds.
5. University of Washington Summer Sessions
Location: Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: Tuition-based; cost varies by course and number of credits
Dates: June 23 – August 22
Application Deadline: June 15
Eligibility: U.S. high school students who have completed 8th grade by June 30
The University of Washington’s Summer Sessions lets you take real classes on the University of Washington’s campus in Seattle. You’ll earn official UW credit while studying alongside college students and other high schoolers. With nearly 1,000 courses in over 100 subjects, including business, economics, public speaking, and foreign languages, you’ll get to explore topics that interest you and start building your college transcript. Most high school students take 100-level classes, and it’s a good idea to talk with your school counselor before choosing courses. If you’re under 18, you’ll need to submit a signed parental consent form to join.
6. UW Foster School of Business High School Program
Location: University of Washington, Foster School of Business, Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: Residential: $7,498 | Commuter: $4,498
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; first-year pilot program
Dates: July 13 – July 25
Application Deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors (grades 11–12); open to domestic and international students
The Youth Business and Leadership Program is a two-week summer experience for rising high school juniors and seniors, held on the University of Washington campus. Taught by UW Foster School of Business faculty, you’ll build leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills through classroom sessions, company visits, and a team-based case competition. You’ll tackle a real business challenge from a Seattle-based coffee company and present your solution to a panel of professionals—just like UW’s MBA students do. The program includes college prep workshops, excursions around Seattle, and access to campus life.
7. Washington Business Week Summer Programs
Location: Kirkland, Cheney, and Renton, WA
Cost/Stipend: Not publicly listed; scholarships and financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment with limited capacity
Dates: Northwest University (Overnight): July 13–18, Eastern Washington University (Overnight): July 27–August 1, Renton Technical College (Day): August 18–22,
Application Deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9–12)
Washington Business Week is a one-week summer program where high school students step into executive roles and run a simulated company with a team. You’ll launch a product, make business decisions, and pitch your ideas to investors - all while learning leadership, marketing, finance, and teamwork skills. Each team is guided by a mentor from the business community, and you’ll hear from guest speakers and professionals throughout the week. Programs are offered as overnight or day camps on college campuses across Washington.
8. Washington Business Week – Eastern Washington University
Location: Cheney, WA (Spokane Area)
Cost/Stipend: $1,100; scholarships available
Dates: July 27–August 1
Application Deadline: Rolling (first-come, first-served)
Eligibility: Rising high school freshmen through recent graduates
Washington Business Week at Eastern Washington University is a six-day overnight program where high school students run a simulated company with a team, earn 2 college credits, and live on a college campus. You’ll take on leadership roles, make financial decisions, and pitch your ideas to judges in a final business presentation. The program includes hands-on workshops, public speaking practice, and signature challenges like the “Hunk of Junk” innovation activity and Business Week Olympics. You’ll stay in modern dorms, eat at the student center, and explore campus life while building skills in entrepreneurship, teamwork, and critical thinking.
9. Washington Business Week – Northwest University
Location: Kirkland, WA (Seattle Area)
Cost/Stipend: $1,250; scholarships available
Dates: July 13–18
Application Deadline: Spring
Eligibility: Rising high school freshmen through recent graduates
Hosted at the scenic Northwest University campus, this six-day overnight program offers you the chance to earn two college credits while running a simulated business in a competitive, team-based environment. You’ll learn core business skills, including marketing, finance, public speaking, and entrepreneurship, through immersive workshops and real-world challenges, such as the “Hunk of Junk” innovation pitch. Beyond academics, the program includes talent shows, dorm living, and friendly competitions, such as the Business Week Olympics, providing a fun and authentic college experience.
10. Washington Business Week – Renton Technical College
Location: Renton, WA (Seattle Area)
Cost/Stipend: $650; scholarships available
Dates: August 18–22
Application Deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: Rising high school freshmen through recent graduates
This five-day commuter program is ideal for those seeking a lower-cost, intensive business experience without the need for an overnight stay. Hosted at Renton Technical College, you’ll earn two college credits while learning leadership, marketing, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy through hands-on business simulations and expert-led workshops. You'll team up with peers to build and pitch business ideas in activities like the “Hunk of Junk” challenge, sharpening your real-world problem-solving skills. The program includes access to campus facilities, lunch, and participation in the Business Week Olympics. As WBW’s only day program, this is the last chance of the summer to join their dynamic, career-focused community.
11. Advanced Business – Washington Business Week
Location: Washington State (overnight campus location varies by year)
Cost/Stipend: $1,250; scholarships available
Dates: Summer. Specific dates are not mentioned
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students who have completed any prior WBW program
This overnight program is designed for returning Washington Business Week students who want to deepen their business and leadership experience. You’ll tackle advanced topics in entrepreneurship, risk-taking, business communications, and product development while participating in new workshops, simulations, and speaker sessions. The curriculum emphasizes real-world application, encouraging you to build on your previous WBW project and take your business acumen to the next level. You’ll also earn two college credits through Renton Technical College and expand your professional network by reconnecting with WBW peers and mentors.
12. Georgetown Business Academy
Location: Washington, DC
Cost/Stipend: $7,700 (residential); $5,800 (commuter)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: July–August
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum 2.0 GPA
The Georgetown Business Academy is a three-week immersive program that equips you with a global understanding of business operations and leadership. Hosted by the McDonough School of Business, the curriculum combines academic rigor with real-world applications through lectures by Georgetown faculty, off-site corporate visits, and engaging guest speakers. A highlight is the business simulation project, where you’ll work in teams to manage a startup, practicing financial decision-making, advertising strategy, and investment planning. You’ll also strengthen your leadership and communication skills through daily activities designed to simulate the fast-paced world of global business.
13. TiE Young Entrepreneurs (TYE) Seattle Program
Location: Seattle, WA (hybrid: in-person and virtual components)
Cost/Stipend: $400 (covers curriculum, mentorship, and pitch event); need-based scholarships available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; up to 50 students per cohort
Dates: Academic year, October – April (includes summer activities and final showcase)
Application Deadline: September (admissions on a rolling basis until full)
Eligibility: Washington State high school students (grades 9–12)
TiE Young Entrepreneurs (TYE) is a yearlong entrepreneurship program for high school students who want to launch real startups and build practical business skills. Run by TiE Seattle, the program combines hands-on workshops, mentorship from local founders, and team-based projects grounded in lean startup methods from Stanford d.school and IDEO.
You’ll explore topics like customer research, design thinking, business models, marketing, and startup finance, all through structured sessions that focus on real-world application. Throughout the year, you’ll work in teams to build a venture from scratch, supported by experienced mentors who guide you through each step. The program ends with a pitch competition where you present your startup to a panel of entrepreneurs and investors.
14. Organizational Leadership 5-Week Virtual Summer Research Experience
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $1,500
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Dates: July 7 – August 11
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors entering grades 10–12 in Fall
Offered by the Stevens Institute of Technology, this five-week asynchronous research program focuses on core management topics, including leadership theory, corporate ethics, strategic communication, and organizational culture. You will complete self-paced learning modules each week and attend optional live office hours with faculty and mentors. The program culminates in a research project aligned with your interests in business leadership and social impact.
15. Babson Summer Study for High School Students
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $6,295 + $95 application fee; limited need-based full and partial scholarships available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Dates: July 10–30
Application Deadline: March
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Babson College’s Summer Study program is a three-week virtual experience designed to help you develop an entrepreneurial mindset while addressing global challenges. You’ll engage with topics like business fundamentals, social entrepreneurship, and the UN Global Goals through interactive lectures, team-based projects, and personal reflection. The program focuses on applying entrepreneurial thinking to real-world problems, culminating in a final project where you present an innovative solution to a specific challenge. Whether you’re new to business or already building ventures, you’ll gain tools for leadership, collaboration, and strategic thinking in a global context.