10 Online Entrepreneurship Programs for High School Students
MD: A list of 10 online programs for high school students who want to pursue entrepreneurship as a career
Are you a high schooler interested in entrepreneurship and can’t find a way to explore the field outside of school? If so, there’s multiple options for you to pick from - one option being an entrepreneurship program.
What is an entrepreneurship program for high school students?
Entrepreneurship programs, like the ones in the list below, are short, focused, and mentored opportunities that let you explore the field in depth and work on real-world problems.
Most of these programs are super competitive, and encourage you to think creatively, identify real-world challenges, and design innovative solutions across industries. As a participant, you can expect to engage in hands-on projects, business simulations, and mentorship sessions, while gaining exposure to the fundamentals of starting and managing a business from scratch.
Online entrepreneurship programs, specifically, are an accessible way to engage with the field without having to move cities or states - a move which can be financially and logistically demanding for many.
Such programs also help you in your future academic and career goals after high school without committing to an in-person program. Whether it’s launching a small business, working on social impact initiatives, or exploring technology-driven solutions in an industry of your choice, online programs can give you an accessible headstart.
Location: 100% virtual, with live, interactive workshops
Dates: The most recent edition of the program starts on June 5th and spans over 4 weeks.
Application Deadline: 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
Cost: The total cost to attend the 4-week program is $2900.
The Young Founder’s Lab is a real-world start-up boot camp founded and run by Harvard entrepreneurs. While this isn't a camp in the traditional sense, it follows a similar structure with work-learn components. 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. The program is an opportunity to delve into the world of business in high school and have a space to explore multiple theoretical and practical frameworks that lead to a successful business. You can check out the brochure for the program here.
Location: Remote. You can work from anywhere in the world.
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 student
Cost: Starting at $2,490 (financial aid available)
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for high school students. In the program, you work with innovative start-up companies. 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. You can explore all the options here on their application form.
Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average raising over a million dollars. In the program, you will work closely with their managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present their work to the company. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.
Babson College Introduction to the Entrepreneurial Experience
Location: Virtual
Dates: July 7 – 28
Application Deadline: March 14
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors aged 16 or older by the program's start.
Cost: $6,295 + $95 application fee; financial aid available
The Babson Summer Study teaches students how to think and act like entrepreneurs while tackling global social, economic, and environmental challenges especially when it comes to UN National Global Goals. The core of the program is EPS 1110: Introduction to the Entrepreneurial Experience, a 4-credit college course.
You learn key concepts in entrepreneurship, leadership, marketing, finance, and communication, with guidance from academic mentors to develop meaningful social ventures. This course is available only at Babson College, so if understanding entrepreneurial skills in the not-for-profit space interests you, you can explore this program. Both in-person and fully online options are available.
Harvard Secondary School Program
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, or virtual
Dates: Multiple sessions spanning from July 13 to August 8
Application Deadline: Early: February 12; Late: April 9
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 to 19 who will start college within the next three years.
Cost: 7-week online/commuting: $4,050 (4 credits) or $7,900 (8 credits)
Harvard’s Secondary School Program is a credit-based program allowing high school students to explore college-level academics in entrepreneurship. This summer program includes courses in various related fields, including ‘Economics and Entrepreneurship” which teaches the cohort Personal Finance & Financial Well-Being, Introduction to Entrepreneurship, Global Business and Technology Trends, and Leadership and Impact: Applying Design Thinking. The program can help you understand the nuances of scaling a business and financial well-being from a theoretical standpoint.
You will also learn how leadership and innovative thinking go hand in hand. Moreover, you work in teams, develop ventures step-by-step, and pitch to angel investors and venture capitalists.
Location: Virtual
Dates: Minimum commitment of 3 months, with internships available year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: All high school students can apply
Cost: Free
The Building-U High School Internship is a virtual program designed to engage high school students in entrepreneurial roles in not-for-profit organizations. During the program, you'll join teams focused on areas such as Resource Research and Development, Student Ambassadorship, Multimedia, Marketing, and Blogging. These teams address real business challenges, strategizing, and decision-making – key qualities for an entrepreneur.
This internship program enables you to develop research, marketing, and multimedia production skills. This experience can enhance your college applications and provide insights into various professional fields. This is a moderately competitive program that allows you to have an introduction to entrepreneurial roles.
Wharton Global Youth Program — Online
Location: Online
Dates: 1–4 weeks, depending on the course selected. Multiple sessions typically between June and July. 5.5 weeks for the pre-baccalaureate program available from MayApplication Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: High school students
Cost: $329 – $4,799, depending on the course selected. Find the cost of each online course here. There is also a $100 non-refundable application fee. Scholarships are available
The Wharton Global Youth Business Program provides a foundation for an entrepreneurial mindset. ‘Essentials of Leadership’, one of the courses prepares high school students for leadership roles in the global economy by developing skills in emotional intelligence, problem-solving, communication, and teamwork.
The program includes daily live lectures on leadership fundamentals, TA-led sessions to build business skills, interactive business simulations, and peer discussions on leadership theories. You will engage in hands-on learning to strengthen communication and collaboration, culminating in group projects that test your leadership potential. This is a highly competitive course.
Cornell SCE Pre-College Online Business Courses
Location: Online
Application Deadline: May 5, for summer courses (tentative, based on the previous year)
Program Dates: Multiple three-week sessions in June, July, and August
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors over the age of 15
Cost: $1,840 per credit
Cornell’s School of Continuing Education (SCE) offers online business courses for high school students, providing a foundation in entrepreneurship while earning credits and an official Cornell transcript. You will find courses like Introduction to Business Management, Financial Accounting, Marketing, and Global Business Strategy that can help you develop key skills for launching and managing businesses.
Delivered through the Canvas platform, classes are available in both live and on-demand formats. This allows you to engage with Cornell instructors and peers through discussions, video sessions, and interactive activities that foster entrepreneurial thinking and problem-solving.
Columbia SPS Academic Year Weekend Program
Location: Online
Application Deadline: December 5
Program Dates: January 18 – March 23,
Eligibility: Students must be in grades 9–12 while the program is running
Cost: $2,810 per session (single course registration); each additional course costs $2,700
Columbia’s SPS Academic Year Weekend Program offers a solid online learning experience for high school students interested in business. You will learn entrepreneurial concepts, economics, and finance in small, interactive classes led by Columbia faculty, and engage in discussions with your peers on a daily basis.
Courses include Entrepreneurial Innovation and Human Behavior, where you will explore psychological drivers in business, and Entrepreneurship & Innovation: Changing the World via Venture Creation, which teaches startup strategies and social impact. In Game Theory: A Course in Mathematical Economics, you will learn decision-making models, while Introduction to Finance & Investment Management covers investment and financial planning.
This program is ideal for students looking for a beginner-friendly introduction to the world of entrepreneurship and business, as well as college-level academics. The program focuses on business theory, so if you’re looking for a more hands-on program, consider startup incubators or work-learn programs such as internships!
Harvard Student Agencies Business Academy
Location: Virtual format available
Dates: Five-day sessions during August
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: 9th-12th grade high school students. Students must be 14+ at the time of the program to attend.
Cost: $1,800
Harvard Student Agencies Business Academy, helps you explore both entrepreneurship and business management through two programs. In the Business Entrepreneurship Academy, you will learn how to start and scale a business. You’ll develop a business idea, refine it based on market research, and present it in a startup pitch.
The Business Management and Strategy Academy helps you tackle real-world business challenges, from boosting profits to launching new products. You'll analyze data, develop strategies, and explore topics like mergers, acquisitions, pricing, and financial statements. This program enhances problem-solving skills and offers insights into business operations and finances in established companies.
Entrepreneurship at Georgetown University
Location: Georgetown University, Washington D.C. (a portion of the program will be conducted virtually)
Dates: Session I: March 17 to 31 | Session II: April 7 to May 5 | Session III: May 5 to June 2
Application deadline: Session I: March 10 | Session II: March 31 | Session III: April 28
Eligibility: Current high school students
Cost: $1,795
Georgetown University’s Entrepreneurship program helps you with theoretical and practical knowledge. You will explore fundamental questions regarding the nature of entrepreneurship, its history, and its foundations. This will help you identify market needs and build support networks. During the program, you will participate in workshops, lectures, and group projects, gaining insights into the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship. You also understand the various business models.
One of the key aspects of the program is developing a business idea and pitching it to real entrepreneurs and venture capitalists. In the end, you'll receive guidance from mentors and visit startups and innovation hubs in Washington, D.C..