9 Online Startup Incubators for High School Students

If you are a high school student with an entrepreneurial mindset, the idea of launching a startup, as challenging as it may seem, can also be pretty exciting! In this case, a startup incubator program can be a great starting point. Online startup incubator programs, specifically, are more accessible options if you can’t commit to an in-person incubator program.

An incubator program can provide you with a structured environment where you can pick up key skills like market research, business planning, and pitching while also developing a real business idea. Such a program also offers hands-on experience that not only equips you with the tools to bring your ideas to life but also enhances your profile for your college applications and/or internships!. Additionally, by participating in an online incubator program, you will get access to mentorship, networking opportunities, and early exposure to real-world challenges that are crucial for turning ideas into successful ventures. 

To help you get started, here we have listed 9 online startup incubator programs for high school students:

1. Young Founders Lab

   Cost: $2,900 for the team-based program and $3,500 for the individual program | Financial aid is available.
   Program dates: June 9–29 (Summer Session 1); August 4–24 (Summer Session 2) | The individual program follows a flexible schedule!
   Application deadline: Varies according to the cohort. Applications close on May 11 for the upcoming summer cohort
   Eligibility: High school students

   Young Founders Lab is a startup incubator that allows high school students to collaborate in teams or individually and launch real, revenue-generating businesses. At the Young Founders Lab, you will spend four weeks coming up with a startup, either on your own or as part of a team. You will take your idea through every stage of development, from initial brainstorming to creating a minimum viable product (MVP). Throughout the process, you will learn key concepts and develop essential skills, including entrepreneurship, product development, marketing, and pitching, under the guidance of startup founders and industry mentors. The program ends with a Demo Day, where you will pitch your business to investors and professionals. You will fully own the business you create during the session and have the opportunity to continue growing the venture beyond the program.

2. Harvard Undergraduate Ventures-TECH Summer Program (HUVTSP)

   Cost: $4,750 for the six-week program + $35 non-refundable application fee | Financial aid is available.
   Program dates: Session I: June 9 – July 18; Session II: July 7 – August 15
   Application deadlines: The invite-only round ends on December 31, early admissions are due on February 28, and the regular deadline is April 14
   Eligibility: High school students and those on a gap year before college | No prior entrepreneurial experience required; however, an interest in startups, tech, or business is preferred.

   At HUVTSP, you will spend six weeks working with a venture-capital-backed startup while attending online classes and workshops led by Harvard faculty, entrepreneurs, and investors. You will join a team to design and execute a real-world project under the mentorship of startup founders and industry professionals. The program also includes daily interactive classes and fireside chats covering topics such as innovation management, business strategy, and technology trends. You will also engage in an internship during the program to get some early exposure to startup operations, decision-making, and fundraising. You will also receive individual career mentorship for your future goals in entrepreneurship or technology.

3. HEX High Accelerator

   Cost: AUD 990 ($634.3)
   Program dates: Term 1: February 10 – March 23; Term 2: May 12 – June 22; Term 3: July 28 – September 7; Term 4: October 14 – November 22
   Application deadline: Varies as per the term | The upcoming term’s applications will close in mid-July
   Eligibility: Students in grades 10 to 12 between the ages of 15 and 18

   At HEX High Accelerator, you will spend six weeks exploring startup fundamentals through mini-video lessons, live masterclasses, and mentorship. Throughout the program, you will develop a startup concept and build an entrepreneurial portfolio that can support future college or career goals. You also have the option to earn academic credit from the University of Sydney. You will engage in design thinking, rapid prototyping, branding, pitching, and innovation funding models. The program concludes with a Pitch Day, during which you will present your venture idea to mentors, judges, and peers.

4. H&C Incubator Program

   Cost: Information available upon inquiry
   Program dates: Multiple cohorts, typically lasting two to four months
   Application deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis
   Eligibility: Middle and high school students who are 13 to 17 years old

   At the H&C Incubator Program, you will work one-on-one with experienced mentors to design and launch a project or venture of your own. Over two to four months, you will move through key stages of venture creation, including brainstorming ideas, testing concepts, researching your market, and positioning your project for success. During the program, you will also develop a personal website, create a strong LinkedIn profile, and draft a professional essay that highlights your work. By the end of the session, you will be ready to launch your project publicly, with the skills and resources needed to continue growing it beyond the incubator. 

5. Startup UCLA: Social Entrepreneurship Summer Institute

   Cost: $1,850 | Scholarships are available.
   Program dates: The program offers two virtual sessions—Session A: June 23 – July 4; Session D: August 4–15
   Application deadline: Session A: June 13; Session D: July 25
   Eligibility: Students in grades 10 to 12 who are at least 15 years old

   At the Startup UCLA: Social Entrepreneurship Summer Institute, you will learn how to design and launch a social impact organization or nonprofit. Through live sessions, mentorship, and project-based work, you will come up with a business model designed to address real-world challenges and contribute to the greater good. Here, you will explore topics such as organizational design, startup development, and social entrepreneurship fundamentals under the guidance of experienced entrepreneurs and instructors. Throughout the program, you will work toward building a fully conceptualized organization that you can present by the end of the session.

6. USC Pre-College Online Program—Entrepreneurship: Exploring What It Takes to Create Your Own Business

   Cost: $1,990 USD + $35 application fee
   Program dates: Multiple sessions in April, May, June, July, and August
   Application deadline: Rolling admissions, with application deadlines 1 week before the program start date | You can find all the details here
   Eligibility: High school students who are 14 or older

   While not a traditional incubator, the USC Pre-College Online Program offers a virtual course that can help you explore the essentials of creating and growing a business. Here, you will explore critical topics such as market sizing, competition analysis, small business finance, and pitching a business idea to potential investors. You will also understand how to differentiate business models, analyze market opportunities, and navigate the complexities of launching and managing a new venture. The course is structured around recorded lectures, business case studies, and interactive assignments, enabling you to work at your own pace. Upon completion, you will receive a Certificate of Completion from USC.

7. Knowledge Matters Virtual Business: Entrepreneurship

   Cost: You can inquire about pricing at info@knowledgematters.com
   Program dates: Available year-round
   Eligibility: High school students
   Application deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

   The Virtual Business: Entrepreneurship program offers an interactive online experience for high school students passionate about starting their own venture. This gamified simulation program allows you to step into the shoes of an entrepreneur and learn key business skills in a fun, risk-free environment. Students engage in three distinct projects: the Shark Project, Business Plan Project, and Mega-Mogul Project, each designed to build crucial entrepreneurial competencies such as market research, financial management, and pitching ideas.

   In the Shark Project, you will pitch your business concepts to virtual investors, simulating the experience of raising funds. The Business Plan Project will challenge you to develop and present a comprehensive business plan, while the Mega-Mogul Project lets you scale your business from a single location to a multi-location empire, honing your skills in growth strategy and operations.

8. Virtual Business Academies by Harvard Student Agencies

   Cost: Information available upon request
   Program dates: Various week-long and weekend sessions offered each year | You can check the options here.
   Application deadline: No deadline mentioned on the program page. You can check here to see if the program is still accepting applications for your session of choice.
   Eligibility: High school students

   Harvard Student Agencies offers multiple brief programs to high school students, of which the Entrepreneurship Academy is a hands-on experience for students interested in launching their own businesses. During the program, you will gain practical knowledge of startup dynamics, learn how to create and refine business ideas, develop comprehensive business plans, and pitch your ideas to mock investors. The program focuses on market research, financial literacy, and understanding product-market fit. By the end of the session, you will have the tools to start your own venture.

9. BETA Camp: Summer Startup Accelerator

   Cost: $3,950 | Financial aid is available.
   Program dates: June 16 – August 16
   Application deadline: None. The program accepts applications on a rolling basis
   Eligibility: High school students, recent graduates, and gap year students in the U.S., UK, and Canada

   At BETA Camp, you will spend four weeks working in a virtual environment to build and launch a real startup. You will participate in live workshops, team projects, and mentorship sessions that focus on ideation, validation, and business development. Throughout the program, you will collaborate with peers and receive guidance from industry leaders as you move your idea toward launch. The experience ends with a Demo Day, where you will pitch your startup to venture capitalists to get feedback and a chance to win equity-free funding. The program is designed to offer you practical experience in building a venture and opportunities to hone your entrepreneurial skills.