14 Free Entrepreneurship Summer Programs for High School Students
MD: This guide lists 14 free entrepreneurship summer programs for high school students.
If you're a high school student interested in entrepreneurship, joining a structured program can be a great way to get started. These programs help you understand the basics of starting and running a business — from developing an idea and building a product to creating a business plan and learning how to pitch. You’ll gain experience working in teams, solving complex problems, and sometimes even presenting to investors or entrepreneurs.
Entrepreneurship programs, especially free ones, make it possible to apply to these opportunities for students from all backgrounds.
Participating in an entrepreneurship program also adds practical experience to your resume. It shows colleges that you're taking initiative and applying your interests in a meaningful way, whether you're focused on tech, marketing, finance, or social impact.
How did we identify the best free entrepreneurship programs for high school students?
We focused on programs that deliver real impact, like the Young Founders Lab, where you develop a business of your own, or the Babson Summer Study, which explores a theoretical approach to entrepreneurial thinking. Some work-learn programs, like the Bank of America Student Leaders Program, are super selective, accepting only a few hundred students, making them stand out on college applications.
Every program on this list is either free or offers full financial aid, ensuring as much accessibility as possible
With that, here are 14 free entrepreneurship summer programs for high school students!
14 Free Entrepreneurship Summer Programs for High School Students:
Bank of America’s Student Leaders Program
Cost: None. A stipend is provided.
Location: Various nonprofit organizations across the US; the summit is in Washington, D.C.
Dates: 8 weeks during the summer, including the summit from July 21 - 26
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors with U.S. work authorization and permanent residence in one of the eligible locations
The Bank of America Student Leaders Program is an eight-week paid internship where you get to work with a local nonprofit in your community. You will learn how to solve problems, manage projects, and lead with a clear purpose. These are all useful skills if you want to make a difference or even start your venture someday.
You will also take part in a national leadership summit in Washington DC where you will meet other students and hear from professionals in business, government, and the nonprofit world. Past partner organizations include the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and Habitat for Humanity. The program is very selective with around 300 students chosen each year.
Cost: Starting at $2,490 (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 offers a competitive program for ambitious high school students like you. In this program, you'll work with high-growth start-ups in industries such as tech, AI/ML, health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. These start-ups are typically raising over a million dollars, giving you a chance to dive into fast-paced, innovative environments.
You'll work closely with your manager and a Ladder Coach on projects and even present your work to the company. The program is virtual, usually lasting 8 weeks, and you can explore all the available start-up opportunities through the application form.
Cost: $2900. Need-based financial aid is available.
Location: Remote
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. The deadline for the summer cohort is May 11.
Program Dates: Individual Program: June 2; Group Program Summer 1: June 9-29; Group Program Summer 2: August 4-24.
Eligibility: All high school students can apply!
The Young Founder’s Lab is a start-up boot camp founded and run by Harvard entrepreneurs. In this program, you will work towards building a revenue-generating start-up that addresses a real-world problem. You will also have the opportunity to be mentored by established entrepreneurs and professionals from Google, Microsoft, and X.
Apart from building the start-up itself, you will also participate in interactive classes on business fundamentals and business ideations, workshops and skill-building sessions, case studies, panel discussions, and more. Apply here!
Ladders for Leaders Summer Internship Program
Cost: Fully funded. A stipend is offered.
Location: New York City
Program Dates: Usually take place in the summer (specific dates will vary by internship)
Application Deadline: February 3
Eligibility: Must be between the ages of 16–24, and must be a resident of one of New York City's five boroughs.
Ladders for Leaders offers high school and college students in New York City the chance to do paid internships with top companies, nonprofits, and government offices. The program includes 30 hours of training, where you'll develop important skills like resume writing, interview preparation, and communication.
These skills are essential for anyone thinking about entrepreneurship, as they help you effectively pitch ideas, manage projects, and build a strong personal brand. Throughout the internship, you'll get hands-on experience in industries that match your interests.
Business Opportunities Summer Session (BOSS)
Cost: None. $250 registration fee required (scholarships available to cover the registration fee)
Location: State College, Pennsylvania
Program Dates: June 15 – June 27
Application Deadlines: March 19
Eligibility: High school students in the U.S. or Puerto Rico entering grade 12
The Business Opportunities Summer Session at Penn State is a two-week program where you live on campus and get a real feel for college life. If you're a high school junior interested in business, this is a chance to learn directly from Penn State professors.
You will explore topics like management, supply chain, business ethics, and communication. You’ll also spend time learning how new ideas become businesses, picking up practical skills like solving problems in teams and pitching your own ideas.
Young Entrepreneurs Program (YEP)
Cost: None. Fully funded with pay depending on the company.
Location: Kansas City, Missouri
Program Dates: Varies
Application Deadline: February 17
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are available for in-person work in Kansas City.
The Young Entrepreneurs Program is for high school juniors and seniors who want to build business and entrepreneurship skills. You’ll get matched with a Kansas City company for an internship and gain hands-on experience. While some placements are remote, most require you to be there in person, especially for Friday visits to local companies.
You’ll learn from professionals across different industries and develop skills like leadership, communication, and problem-solving. The program is designed to help you grow professionally, explore careers, and start building a network that can support your path in business or college.
Kelley Women's Leadership Institute
Cost: Free
Location: Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana
Dates: April 1 to July 25; a day program that is spread between these dates, with a few virtual sessions.
Application Deadline: March 18 | May 11 | May 27 | June 11 | June 25
Eligibility: Rising junior and senior high school students with a minimum 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
The Kelley Women's Leadership Institute at Indiana University is for high school students who want to explore business and grow as leaders. You’ll join workshops led by Kelley faculty, team up with alumni and current students, and work on a business project that helps you apply what you learn.
You’ll practice strategic thinking, pitching ideas, and analyzing case studies to strengthen your business knowledge. The program focuses on leadership and communication skills in a business setting. You’ll also build skills in teamwork, public speaking, time management, and decision-making.
KeyBank Business Leadership Program
Cost: Free!
Location: Leeds School of Business, University of Colorado Boulder, Colorado
Program Dates: June 22 - 28
Application Deadline: March 30
Eligibility: Current high school juniors entering their senior year. Priority consideration for Colorado Residents and students enrolled in a Colorado High School.
The KeyBank Business Leadership Program is a free, week-long program at the University of Colorado Boulder. You’ll live on campus and get a real feel for college life while learning about business.
You’ll team up with other students to create a marketing campaign for a real company like KeyBank, EY, or Enterprise. You’ll attend lectures by business professors, take part in workshops on networking, social media, and diversity, and get support from college mentors.
Cost: Free!
Location: University of Kansas, Kansas
Program Dates: First session: June 15–20; Second session: July 13–18
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: 11th and 12th grade underrepresented or first-generation college students, with preference for those from Kansas and the Greater Kansas City area.
The Summer Venture in Business is a free, one-week pre-college program at the University of Kansas (KU) School of Business for rising 11th and 12th graders. If you're interested in business, this program gives you an early look at college-level topics like finance, marketing, entrepreneurship, and leadership.
You'll take part in interactive workshops, case studies, and group projects. Along the way, you’ll also build soft skills like teamwork, communication, and problem-solving, skills that matter in any career.
Chicago Summer Business Institute
Cost: None. A stipend is provided.
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Program Dates: Specific dates not specified, typically June to August
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Must be a high school sophomore or junior residing in Chicago.
The Chicago Summer Business Institute is a paid summer internship program that helps high school students build leadership and business skills through practical experience. You’ll be placed at one of the program’s corporate, government, or nonprofit partners, where you'll spend the summer working on office-based tasks and learning how businesses operate. Alongside your internship, you'll attend weekly professional development sessions that cover communication, teamwork, goal-setting, and financial literacy.
MITx: Becoming an Entrepreneur
Cost: Free! $65 for certification
Location: Virtual
Deadline: Rolling
Program Dates: Six six-week courses start from April 26; self-paced
Eligibility: All high school students can apply!
In this course, you will learn how to take the first steps to start your own business. You’ll explore how to come up with new business ideas and do market research to understand what people need. You’ll also learn how to design and test your product or service, and how to improve it based on feedback.
The course will guide you on how to pitch your business idea clearly and confidently. The lessons are based on MIT’s approach to entrepreneurship and include short videos and fun activities. These activities will encourage you to go out into your community and try out what you’ve learned.
Cost: $6295 + $95 application fee (Full and partial need-based scholarships available)
Location: Babson College, Wellesley, MA; Virtual options available
Program Dates: July 7 - 28
Application Deadline: Rolling applications
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors. All applicants must be age 16 or older by the start of the program.
Babson Summer Study is a three-week online program for high school students who want to learn how to think like an entrepreneur. You will explore leadership, marketing, finance, and business communication while working on problems based on the United Nations Global Goals.
You can earn 4 college credits from Babson, which adds strong value to your college and career path. You will connect with students from around the world who are also interested in business and innovation. The program includes live and recorded sessions, talks by Babson professors and business leaders, and hands-on activities.
Michigan Ross Summer Business Academy at the University of Michigan
Cost: $5,500 + $75 (application fee); full and partial need-based scholarships available
Location: Stephen M. Ross School of Business, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Application Deadline: January 21
Dates: June 13 – 27
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0; preference will be given to U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Michigan Ross Summer Business Academy is a two-week program for high school students from different backgrounds who are curious about business careers. You will learn how businesses run, explore different roles in the business world, and see what it’s like to be a student at Michigan Ross. You will attend classes and workshops, team up with other students on real college-level projects, and meet professors, business leaders, and professionals.
Becoming an Entrepreneur: An Inside Look at Innovation
Cost: $1,795; full aid available
Location: Virtual
Deadline: April 27
Program Dates: May 4 — June 1 | May 18 — June 15 | May 18 — June 1
Eligibility: For students ages 13 and up
In the "Becoming an Entrepreneur: An Inside Look at Innovation" course, you'll learn the essentials of starting a business. You'll begin by defining your target audience and crafting a compelling story for your product. The course will also help you develop important leadership skills, from guiding a team to testing ideas and shaping your brand.
You'll also get hands-on experience in writing a business pitch, which is crucial for any entrepreneur. This course is designed to take you through the process of launching a business, giving you a practical understanding of what it takes to succeed in entrepreneurship.