15 Entrepreneurship Summer Programs in California for High School Students
If you want a future in business, finance, or entrepreneurship, summer programs can be a powerful place to begin.
What do entrepreneurship programs cover?
Entrepreneurship programs let you test ideas, build skills, and see how businesses really work. These programs cover idea validation, business models, marketing, pitching, and basic finance. You will learn by doing, not watching.
Why consider entrepreneurship programs in California?
Entrepreneurship summer programs in California are especially hands-on, giving you the chance to apply classroom concepts to actual problems, markets, and teams. The experience can strengthen college applications, build confidence, and help you figure out whether entrepreneurship is right for you. You will also gain access to mentors and tap into professional networks that can guide you beyond the program.
If you’re also interested in entrepreneurship programs abroad, check here, or go here for entrepreneurship extracurricular ideas for high school students.
After careful research, we have narrowed this guide to the best 15 entrepreneurship summer programs in California for high school students, so you can find the one that fits your interests and goals.
15 Entrepreneurship Summer Programs in California for High School Students
1. Babson Summer Study for High School Students
Location: Fully online or in-person at NEIA
Cost: Fully Online Format: $6,295
Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: July 8 - 28
Application Deadline: March 13
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
In the Babson Summer Study for High School Students, you will spend the summer taking college-level courses focused on business, entrepreneurship, and related fields. You will learn through lectures, discussions, and project-based coursework taught by Babson faculty, experiencing what academic study in these areas is really like. You will work both independently and in groups to analyze problems, complete assignments, and apply entrepreneurial thinking to real scenarios. Some courses include team projects and presentations that help strengthen your communication and analytical skills. As part of this entrepreneurship summer program in California for high school students, you will also experience life on a college campus and engage with students from diverse backgrounds. The program gives you the opportunity to earn college credit while exploring academic interests connected to business and innovation.
2. Young Founders Lab
Location: 100% virtual
Cost: Applies; financial aid available
Cohort Size: Selective
Dates: Various cohorts throughout the year, including winter, spring, summer, and fall
Application Deadline: Based on your cohort
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
In Young Founders Lab, you will work online with peers to build a real startup or nonprofit from the ground up. You will learn business fundamentals through live workshops, case discussions, and interactive sessions. You will dive into idea generation, market research, and early-stage product development, gaining a clear picture of what it takes to turn a concept into a real product. Along the way, mentors with backgrounds at companies such as Google and Microsoft will provide guidance and feedback. You will also take part in structured activities such as panel talks and team activities that strengthen your practical skills in entrepreneurship and teamwork.
3. Summer Entrepreneurship by Berkeley Haas
Location: University of California, Berkeley
Cost: In-state: $7,450 & out-of-state: $7,950
Cohort Size: 50 students
Dates: July 5 - 18 and July 19 - August 1
Application Deadline: February 8
Eligibility: Rising 10th-12th-grade students
In this two-week entrepreneurship summer program in California for high school students, you will build a strong foundation in business through a structured, college-level curriculum. You will work in teams to research and write a complete business plan from start to finish. Berkeley Haas professors and industry guest speakers teach core concepts such as marketing, finance, and entrepreneurship, giving you insights into how these ideas work in the real world. You will balance independent research with computer lab tasks, and group projects that sharpen your communication and presentation skills. Beyond the classroom, you'll get a taste of life at UC Berkeley through social activities and campus events. At the end of the program, you will present your business plan to peers and mentors.
4. Ladder Internships
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort
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 start-up internship program for ambitious high school students! In the program, you work with a high-growth start-up, taking on an internship role and contributing to meaningful projects. The start-ups that offer internships range across a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech, and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies that have raised over a million dollars on average. Past founders have included YCombinator alums, founders who have raised over 30 million dollars, or founders who previously worked at Microsoft, Google, and Facebook. In the program, you'll work closely with your startup manager and a dedicated Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present your work to the company.
5. Innovation and Startup Culture by Wharton Global Youth Program
Location: San Francisco
Cost: $8,959
Cohort Size: Selective
Dates: July 5 - 17 and July 19 - 31
Application Deadline: March 18
Eligibility: High school students currently enrolled in grades 9-11; international applicants are welcome
In the Innovation and Startup Culture program, you will explore how new ventures are created and grow within the San Francisco startup ecosystem. You will attend Wharton-led lectures and work in teams to generate business ideas, research markets, and build venture models from the ground up. You will use practical tools, including AI for collaboration and product development, gaining exposure to how modern startups operate. Site visits to local startups let you look at company culture and meet entrepreneurs in action. At the end of the program, you will refine and pitch your startup concept to peers and mentors, which strengthens your communication and teamwork skills. Evening and weekend social activities connect you with other participants and broaden your experience outside the classroom.
6. Entrepreneurship Summer Program
Location: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: $85 application fee
Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: June 22 - July 17
Application Deadline: May 8 (Domestic) & May 13 (International)
Eligibility: Applicants must have completed ninth grade by the start of the program and should be pursuing a high school curriculum; international students are welcome to apply
In this Exploring Entrepreneurship program, you will explore how businesses are started and scaled, blending classroom lessons with practical work. You will cover key areas such as accounting, marketing, human resources, ethics, and innovation, gaining a well-rounded view of how companies operate. You will actively research and test ideas, develop business plans, and work with classmates on projects that mirror real-world challenges. You will also get opportunities to interact with industry leaders and practice presenting your ideas to others. The course focuses on understanding market needs, problem-solving, and developing communication skills.
7. Essentials of Leadership by Wharton Global Youth Program
Location: Online
Cost: $4,099
Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: June 15 - 26 and July 6 - 17
Application Deadline: January 28
Eligibility: High school students currently enrolled in grades 9-12; international students are welcome
In the Essentials of Leadership program, you will explore what makes leaders effective in business and beyond. You will take online classes with Wharton faculty that focus on key skills such as teamwork, communication, decision-making, and emotional intelligence. You will apply what you learn through business simulations and interactive case studies that let you practice leading groups and solving challenges. You will also work on a final industry leadership project with peers, which you present to your instructors. Live lectures and TA-led discussions help you build confidence and public speaking skills.
8. Business & Entrepreneurship
Location: UCLA, CA
Cost: $6,298 (residential) & $3,298 (commuter)
Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Session 1: June 21 – July 3; Session 2: July 5 – 17; Session 3: July 19 – 31
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: Must have completed 8th grade of middle school by the program start date with a 3.0 Grade Point Average; international students must demonstrate proficiency in English via a telephone interview
In the Business & Entrepreneurship program at UCLA, you will learn essential business skills beyond how companies start and grow. You will study key topics such as idea generation, marketing, finance, and cost accounting, building a strong foundation in how businesses operate. You will work with peers to build a business concept and develop a plan, then pitch it in a Shark-Tank style experience to a panel of judges. Beyond the classroom, the program includes visits to real companies in Los Angeles and conversations with entrepreneurs and business experts, giving you a firsthand look at business in action. Through this entrepreneurship summer program, you'll gain practical experience in teamwork, communication, and planning, all in a college setting.
9. Economics for Leaders
Location: Multiple U.S. locations, including California (on-campus summer programs)
Cost: $2,800 (residential) & $900 (virtual)
Cohort Size: 25-40 students are accepted at each site
Dates: Summer sessions; dates vary by location
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Current sophomores and juniors in high school
In the Economics for Leaders program, you will spend the summer exploring how economic ideas shape public policy and leadership decisions. You will take part in classroom sessions that cover core economic concepts alongside ethical reasoning, helping you understand how leaders weigh choices and consequences. You will analyze real policy issues, discuss trade-offs, and practice structured decision-making with other students. The program emphasizes discussion, case studies, and collaborative problem solving. Taught by faculty and guest speakers with backgrounds in economics, law, and public service, the program helps you strengthen critical thinking, communication, and leadership skills, while exploring how economics connects to real-world challenges.
10. UCLA Introduction to Investments
Location: UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, or Virtual
Cost: $3,156
Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: July 13 – 31
Application Deadline: June 12
Eligibility: High school students in the 9th – 12th grade in Spring; must be at least 15 years of age by the first day of Summer Sessions; international students are welcome to apply
In UCLA's Introduction to Investments program, you will spend the summer learning how financial markets work and how investment decisions are made. You will study core ideas such as stocks, bonds, risk, return, and portfolio basics through structured lectures and guided discussions. You won't just learn the theory, but work through real examples to apply concepts and build practical financial knowledge. The program is taught by UCLA instructors and is designed for high school students, so no prior experience in economics or finance is required. Along the way, you'll learn alongside other high school students and gain exposure to careers in investing and finance.
11. UpStarters Discovery Camp
Location: California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB)
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: June 9 - 12
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students
In the UpStarters Discovery Camp, you will take part in an on-campus experience focused on entrepreneurship and innovation. You will explore how ideas turn into real products or services through guided activities and structured lessons. You will work in teams to think through problems, develop concepts, and practice basic business planning skills. The program emphasizes hands-on learning and group collaboration in a university environment, with support from instructors and mentors connected with CSUSB’s Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship. Through workshops and interactive sessions, you will build communication, teamwork, and creative thinking skills while gaining early exposure to entrepreneurial pathways.
12. Leadership Institute by Brown Pre-College Programs
Location: Online & on-campus
Cost: $5,778
Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: June 22 - July 17
Application Deadline: May 22
Eligibility: Students completing grades 9 - 12, ages 14 - 18 by June 14
In this entrepreneurship summer program in California for high school students, you will explore complex social issues and learn leadership in academic settings. You will choose a course that focuses on topics such as social entrepreneurship, law and social movements, or intercultural communication, depending on your interests. You will participate in discussions, collaborative projects, and problem-solving with peers from around the world and approach challenges from multiple perspectives. Instructors will guide you through the program and help you build communication, public speaking, and teamwork skills. You will also develop a personalized Action Plan that applies what you’ve learned to real issues in your community.
13. Finance Institute: Wall Street in the Classroom
Location: Remote or in-person at the Rose Hill Campus, Bronx, NY
Cost: $1300
Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: June 15-19, June 22-26, July 20-24, July 27-31
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Any high school student; international students are eligible to apply to attend virtually
In this Finance Institute: Wall Street in the Classroom, you will spend the summer learning how financial markets work through real-world examples and current events. You will study core topics such as stocks, bonds, valuation, and portfolio concepts through structured classes. You will go beyond theory to analyze market events and apply financial tools to practical case scenarios. The program is taught by faculty from Fordham’s Gabelli School of Business and emphasizes classroom discussion and applied learning. You will work with other high school students to build a strong foundation in finance and strengthen your analytical thinking.
14. UCLA Anderson Summer Discovery
Location: UCLA Anderson School of Management, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: $4,194 - $14,099
Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Various sessions in June, July & August
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-12
In UCLA Anderson Summer Discovery, you will explore how business works in entertainment, media, and sports through structured courses on campus. You will study frameworks in finance, marketing, strategy, and economics, and see how they apply to fast-moving global industries. You will analyze real case studies and meet industry professionals who share insights into their careers. The program includes site visits to Los Angeles organizations such as YouTube Studios, Dodger Stadium, and Paramount Studios, giving you a firsthand look at business in action. Along the way, you will work on team projects that build communication and critical thinking. Outside class, you will join activities and excursions that help you experience campus life while gaining exposure to business concepts and career paths.
15. NSLC Business & Entrepreneurship High School Summer Program
Location: Various college campuses, including the University of California, Berkeley
Cost: Starts at $4,295
Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Summer. Exact dates vary based on the college
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students must be between the ages of 14 and 18 and have completed at least one year of high school
In the NSLC Business & Entrepreneurship program, you will explore what it takes to build and run a company from idea to execution. You will engage in hands-on business simulations that let you manage operations, marketing, finance, and strategy with your peers. You will also practice pitching your business ideas and get feedback from industry professionals, including guest speakers from Inc. Magazine’s fastest-growing companies. Field trips and tours offer a behind-the-scenes look at how real businesses operate. As part of this entrepreneurship summer program in California for high school students, you will live on a college campus, attend group activities, and gain practical insights into a wide range of business and entrepreneurship careers.
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