15 Entrepreneurship Summer Programs for Girls in High School
Entrepreneurship summer programs allow you to move beyond theory and learn how ideas turn into real businesses, nonprofits, and impact-driven projects.
What do entrepreneurship programs involve?
In these programs, you will explore how entrepreneurs identify problems, test solutions, conduct market research, manage finances, and communicate ideas effectively. These programs help you develop transferable skills such as critical thinking, leadership, collaboration, and resilience, skills you can apply whether you plan to start your own venture or pursue a career in business, finance, or innovation.
Why participate in entrepreneurship programs as a girl in high school?
For girls in high school, entrepreneurship summer programs can be valuable spaces for growth and confidence-building. Many programs are designed to support female leadership by providing mentorship from women founders, business professionals, and industry leaders. Whether you are interested in launching a startup, exploring social impact, or developing leadership skills for the future, entrepreneurship summer programs can give you practical experience, guidance, and momentum at a formative stage of your journey.
For adjacent opportunities, you might be interested in participating in business programs for girls in high school.
To help you explore your options, here is a list of 15 entrepreneurship summer programs for high school girls.
15 Entrepreneurship Summer Programs for Girls in High School
1. Athena Summer Innovation Institute (ASII)
Location: New York City, New York
Cost: Residential: $10,771; Commuter: $8,160
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Monday, June 29 – Friday, July 17
Application Deadline: Varies by year
Eligibility: High school girls
The Athena Summer Innovation Institute (ASII) is a three-week summer program that allows you to explore entrepreneurship through hands-on creation and leadership development. You will collaborate with other students to develop an original venture concept, ranging from a business idea to a mission-driven initiative. The program emphasizes practical learning, giving you exposure to how ideas move from early brainstorming to structured plans. During the institute, you will build skills in areas such as customer discovery, branding, financial planning, and persuasive communication through interactive sessions and guided project work. The experience concludes with a final presentation, helping you strengthen your leadership presence and gain confidence in pursuing entrepreneurship and innovation in the future.
2. Young Founders Lab
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid available
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer, fall, winter, and spring
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students
Young Founders Lab is a virtual entrepreneurship program that allows you to design and build your own startup idea in a structured, mentor-supported environment. Throughout the program, you will explore how to identify meaningful problems, test potential solutions, and shape those ideas into a viable venture. The experience is designed to walk you through each stage of the startup process, helping you understand how early ideas evolve into real businesses. As part of the program, you will engage in live workshops focused on business fundamentals such as market validation, product development, and strategic decision-making. You will also learn directly from experienced founders and professionals who share practical insights into entrepreneurship and leadership. The program invites young, female entrepreneurs looking to develop business & entrepreneurial skills to build their ventures.
3. Invest in Her: Financial Literacy and Leadership for Women
Location: Rose Hill Campus, Bronx, New York
Cost: Paid ($1,300 total; $100 non-refundable deposit)
Acceptance Rate: Not specified
Dates: July 13 – July 17
Application Deadline: Priority registration before April 1
Eligibility: Female high school students; international students are not eligible
Invest in Her: Financial Literacy and Leadership for Women is a week-long, in-person program that introduces you to core concepts in business, finance, and professional leadership. Over the course of the program, you will learn how financial systems work, gain exposure to reading and interpreting financial information, and practice applying these ideas through group-based activities. During the program, you will learn from faculty at Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business and interact with guest speakers who share real-world perspectives on careers in finance and leadership. You will also focus on developing professional presence, communication skills, and leadership habits that are valuable in academic and workplace environments
4. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Paid (stipend provided)
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students; 10–20 hours per week commitment for 8–12 weeks
The Ladder Internship Program allows you to gain hands-on startup experience by working with an early-stage or fast-growing company on meaningful projects. You will be placed with a startup aligned to your interests, where you can contribute to areas such as product development, research, marketing, strategy, or operations. The program is designed to immerse you in the pace and expectations of startup work while allowing you to build practical, career-relevant skills. Throughout the internship, you will receive structured support from both your startup supervisor and a dedicated Ladder Coach who helps guide your learning and professional growth. As a female student, you’ll get access to professional opportunities in supportive environments and build connections that could be useful for the rest of your professional life.
5. Kelley Women’s Leadership Institute (KWLI)
Location: Bloomington, Indiana, or Virtual
Cost: Free (participants cover travel, housing, and personal expenses for in-person sessions)
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: One-day in-person sessions in June and July; virtual sessions held across two evenings in April
Application Deadline: March 20
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a minimum 3.5 GPA
The Kelley Women’s Leadership Institute (KWLI) is a short-term leadership and business immersion program that gives you a firsthand look at how business education works at the collegiate level. During the program, you will engage in faculty-led sessions and hands-on case discussions that introduce you to real business challenges and decision-making processes. The experience is designed to help you explore how different business disciplines connect to your personal interests and long-term goals. Throughout the program, you will collaborate with other students who are exploring leadership and business pathways, allowing you to practice communication and teamwork in an academic setting. You will also focus on leadership development through discussions and activities that highlight the role of women in business and the value of inclusive leadership.
6. Sadie Nash Summer Institute
Location: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Newark
Cost: Free; stipend available ($450 upon completion)
Acceptance Rate: Not specified
Dates: July 6 – August 13
Application Deadline: March 13
Eligibility: High school students who identify as young women or gender-expansive youth living in New York City or Newark; prior participants are not eligible
The Sadie Nash Summer Institute is a six-week summer program that focuses on leadership development, self-expression, and community engagement. During the program, you will take part in small-group sessions and hands-on activities that explore topics such as identity, leadership, and social responsibility. The experience is designed to help you think critically about the world around you while building meaningful relationships with peers. Throughout the institute, you will participate in experiential learning opportunities, including site visits and group projects that connect discussions to real-life issues. You will also hear directly from women and gender-expansive leaders across fields such as business, public service, and the arts, gaining insight into different leadership paths
7. Journey to Leadership Program (BALI)
Location: Hunter College Main Campus, New York City
Cost: Free; stipend provided
Acceptance Rate: Not specified
Dates: Cohort 1: June 29 – July 10, Cohort 2: July 13 – July 24, Cohort 3: July 27 – August 7
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Youth ages 13–21 from the NYC metropolitan area; open to female-identifying and gender-expansive students, with priority given to those from underserved communities
The Journey to Leadership Program is a summer initiative that introduces you to leadership development through hands-on training and structured debate practice. During the program, you will take part in interactive workshops, facilitated discussions, and debate labs that focus on communication, public speaking, and civic awareness. The curriculum is designed to help you strengthen your voice and think critically about leadership in real-world contexts. Throughout the experience, you will engage in social-emotional learning activities that support confidence-building and personal growth. You will collaborate with peers who are interested in advocacy, leadership, and community impact while gaining exposure to networking opportunities and guest speakers.
8. Millie King Entrepreneurship Program (MKEP)
Location: In-person (Hunter College, New York City)
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate: Selective; open only to BALI alumni
Dates: Three-day program held annually in late July or early August
Application Deadline: Typically opens in March (applications currently closed)
Eligibility: BALI alumni who are high school seniors or current college students
The Millie King Entrepreneurship Program (MKEP) is a short, immersive program that allows you to focus intensively on developing an entrepreneurial idea or strengthening an existing venture. Over the course of three days, you will take part in interactive sessions that introduce key elements of business planning, branding, financial structure, and socially responsible entrepreneurship. The program is designed to help you move from concept to clearer direction in a focused timeframe. During the experience, you will learn from experienced entrepreneurs and professionals who share practical insights into building and sustaining organizations across different sectors. You will receive guidance on refining your business model and understanding how values-driven ventures can balance impact with sustainability.
9. Get Girls Going – Teen Program
Location: New York City
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate: Not specified
Dates: Varies by cohort
Application Deadline: Rolling; varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school girls and gender-expansive students
The Get Girls Going – Teen Program is designed to help you explore leadership and entrepreneurship through guided, hands-on learning experiences. Throughout the program, you will take part in interactive sessions that focus on building confidence, understanding career options, and developing practical life and leadership skills. The experience encourages you to reflect on your interests while learning how to set goals and take initiative. During the program, you will work alongside peers in collaborative activities that strengthen communication, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities. You will also connect with mentors who offer guidance and share perspectives on leadership and professional growth.
10. Bossgirls – Zahn Innovation Center, City College of New York (CCNY)
Location: New York City, New York
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate: Selective; limited seats available
Dates: June 30 – July 31
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: High school girls and nonbinary students in grades 9–12 who live in the tri-state area and can commute to CCNY
Bossgirls is a five-week entrepreneurship program that allows you to learn how new ventures are built through guided, project-based work. During the program, you will collaborate with a team to explore a practical challenge, study potential users, and shape a solution from concept to early prototype. You will also develop branding and messaging for your idea, gaining a clearer understanding of how businesses communicate value. Throughout the experience, you will take part in workshops that emphasize customer-focused thinking and design-driven problem solving. You will receive support and feedback from mentors and professionals connected to the Zahn Innovation Center, helping you refine both your idea and your presentation skills. The program concludes with a pitch event, where you present your venture and gain experience sharing ideas in a professional setting.
11. Fidelity Boundless
Location: Boston, Massachusetts; Merrimack, New Hampshire; Westlake, Texas; Durham, North Carolina
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Varies by program, including career discovery events, job shadow experiences, and internships
Application Deadline: Varies by program; applications typically open in spring or early winter
Eligibility: Female high school students
Fidelity Boundless is a collection of career exploration opportunities that allows you to learn about business and financial services within a large, established organization. Through a mix of short-term events and longer structured experiences, you will gain exposure to how teams operate across areas such as finance, technology, and corporate functions. The program is designed to help you explore different career options and understand how professional roles connect within a major financial institution. Depending on the experience you participate in, you may attend a one-day discovery event, spend time observing professionals in an office environment, or take part in a multi-week internship. Throughout the program, you will develop a clearer sense of workplace expectations, build confidence in professional settings, and learn how large organizations function from the inside.
12. Girls For Business – Mentorship Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Varies by cohort
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school girls interested in business, entrepreneurship, and leadership
The Girls For Business Mentorship Program is a virtual program that connects you with experienced mentors to support your growth in business and leadership. During the program, you will be matched with a mentor who helps you explore career interests, set personal and academic goals, and develop professional skills. The structure of the program is designed to give you individualized guidance while helping you better understand potential pathways in business-related fields. Throughout the experience, you will take part in virtual meetings, guided discussions, and skill-building activities that focus on leadership development, confidence, and professional communication. You will also gain insight into real business environments through mentor conversations and shared experiences.
13. Girls Inc. of Metro Denver – Collegiate & Leadership Programs
Location: Denver, Colorado (hybrid; in-person and virtual components)
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Program timelines vary by track
Application Deadline: Varies by program
Eligibility: High school girls and young women in the Denver metro area (specific eligibility depends on program track)
The Girls Inc. of Metro Denver Collegiate & Leadership Programs are designed to support you as you explore leadership, career readiness, and long-term academic pathways. Through structured programming, you will build skills related to goal-setting, professional development, and personal growth while learning how leadership shows up in educational and workplace settings. The programs emphasize preparation for college and future careers, including exposure to professional environments and decision-making frameworks. Throughout the experience, you will participate in workshops, mentoring opportunities, and community-based learning activities that help you strengthen confidence and leadership identity. You will also connect with peers and role models who provide guidance on navigating academic transitions and career exploration.
14. Girls Who Start Impact Internship – University Startups
Location: Remote
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate: Not specified
Dates: February 24 – April 30
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students interested in entrepreneurship and social impact
The Girls Who Start Impact Internship is a virtual work-learn program that introduces you to entrepreneurship through socially driven projects. During the internship, you will collaborate with other students in team-based activities that mirror how early-stage ventures operate. The program focuses on helping you explore how business ideas can address practical challenges while developing practical skills related to leadership and collaboration. Throughout the experience, you will participate in live sessions led by university faculty and professionals working in innovation and startup ecosystems. You will engage in workshops, idea-building exercises, and presentation activities that encourage active participation and skill development.
15. Women in Business Case – University of Colorado Boulder
Location: Leeds School of Business, University of Colorado Boulder
Cost: Free; winning teams receive a $1,000 scholarship to the Leeds School of Business
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: June 11 – June 13
Application Deadline: March 30
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors; priority given to underrepresented, low-income, first-generation, or Colorado-based students
The Women in Business Case program is a three-day, immersive experience that introduces you to business problem-solving through a structured case competition. During the program, you will work in small teams to analyze a real business challenge focused on gender equity in the workplace. You will practice evaluating information, forming strategic recommendations, and presenting your ideas clearly and persuasively. Throughout the experience, you will participate in leadership-focused sessions, receive guidance from mentors, and connect with faculty and professionals from the Leeds School of Business. The program emphasizes collaboration, analytical thinking, and communication, giving you exposure to how business decisions are made in real contexts.