15 Prestigious Entrepreneurship Summer Programs for High School Students
If you are interested in building companies, launching initiatives, or leading innovation in business, enrolling in prestigious entrepreneurship summer programs for high school students can give you a decisive early advantage.
What do prestigious entrepreneurship summer programs for high school students include?
By participating in selective entrepreneurship programs, you gain hands-on exposure to ideation, market research, business modelling, and leadership while learning how entrepreneurial thinking applies across industries. They can involve guidance on how to build your business, network, and mentorship from industry experts.
Why participate in prestigious entrepreneurship summer programs for high school students?
Entrepreneurship summer programs go beyond theory, allowing you to explore how real ventures are built, funded, and scaled, often with mentorship from experienced founders, investors, and faculty at top universities. Whether you are drawn to startups, social impact, finance, or technology, these experiences help you test potential career paths and apply classroom concepts in real-world settings.
If you’re also looking for entrepreneurship summer programs abroad, check here, or go here for entrepreneurship innovation challenges.
Below is a list of 15 prestigious entrepreneurship summer programs for high school students, selected for their competitiveness, institutional credibility, small cohorts, and focus on applied learning.
15 Prestigious Entrepreneurship Summer Programs for High School Students
1. Young Entrepreneurs Program (YEP)
Location: Kansas City, MO (primarily in-person; limited remote options available)
Cost: Free; paid hourly with a scholarship awarded upon completion
Program Dates: Session 1: June 2 – June 27, Session 2: July 7 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
The Young Entrepreneurs Program (YEP) is a highly selective, entrepreneurship-focused summer internship designed to immerse you in Kansas City’s startup ecosystem. You are matched with one of approximately 15 high-growth local startups based on your interests and strengths, where you work 30 hours per week on real business and operational projects. Throughout the program, you visit a different company every Friday, giving you exposure to a wide range of industries, business models, and entrepreneurial support structures. You receive close mentorship, become part of a tight-knit cohort, and gain access to an active alumni network that continues well beyond the summer.
2. Young Founders Lab
Location: 100% virtual, with live, interactive workshops
Cost: Varies by program; need-based financial aid is available
Program Dates: Vary by cohort
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
Young Founders Lab is a real-world startup boot camp where you work toward building a revenue-generating venture that addresses a real-world problem. Throughout the program, you take your idea from concept to execution while applying core principles of entrepreneurship, economics, and business strategy. You receive mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs and professionals with backgrounds at organizations such as Google, Microsoft, and X, gaining insight into how successful startups operate in practice. In addition to venture-building, you participate in live classes focused on business fundamentals, ideation frameworks, and market validation. You also engage in workshops, case studies, panel discussions, and skill-building sessions that strengthen your analytical thinking, communication, and leadership skills.
3. Business Opportunities Summer Session (BOSS)
Location: Penn State University Park, PA (Residential)
Cost: Free to apply; $350 program fee due only after acceptance
Program Dates: June 14 – June 26
Application Deadline: March 20 (application opens October 20)
Eligibility: High school juniors from the U.S. and Puerto Rico interested in pursuing a business degree
The Business Opportunities Summer Session (BOSS) is a highly selective, two-week residential program hosted by Penn State’s Smeal College of Business that gives you an immersive introduction to college-level business education. During the program, you take business fundamentals and college preparation courses taught by Penn State faculty while gaining firsthand exposure to how real organizations operate. You participate in hands-on learning experiences such as team-based business pitch presentations and site visits to corporations and operational venues. You also experience college life by living in residence halls, dining on campus, and engaging with a diverse cohort of academically motivated peers. Explicitly designed for students serious about business careers, BOSS helps you clarify your academic and professional goals while building connections.
4. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote (you can work from anywhere in the world)
Cost: Paid internship (varies by startup)
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can commit 10–20 hours per week for 8–12 weeks
Ladder Internships is a selective startup internship program that places you with a high-growth company to work on real-world entrepreneurial projects. You are matched with startups across industries such as technology, AI/ML, health tech, marketing, journalism, and consulting, allowing you to explore how early-stage businesses operate. Many participating startups are led by founders who are Y Combinator alumni or former professionals at companies such as Google, Microsoft, and Meta, offering exposure to experienced entrepreneurial leadership. You contribute to meaningful projects involving strategy, operations, research, or growth initiatives and conclude the program by presenting your work directly to the company, gaining practical experience and professional confidence in a fast-paced startup environment.
5. Ladders for Leaders
Location: New York City (in-person; placements across the five boroughs)
Cost: Free; paid internship
Program Dates: Summer (exact dates vary by placement)
Application Deadline: January 16
Eligibility: Youth ages 16–24 enrolled in high school or college who reside in New York City and are legally authorized to work
Ladders for Leaders is a nationally recognized summer internship program that allows you to gain paid professional experience with leading corporations, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies across New York City. Once placed, you work in a real professional setting aligned with your interests, gaining exposure to fields such as business, public service, nonprofit management, and corporate operations. The program is highly selective, matching employers with vetted, job-ready students who have demonstrated commitment and prior experience. After completing the internship, you gain access to an alumni network that offers continued networking opportunities, post-internship roles, and career development events, making this program a strong foundation for long-term professional growth.
6. Kelley Women’s Leadership Institute (KWLI)
Location: Indiana University, Bloomington, IN (in-person) or virtual
Cost: Free (no registration fee; breakfast and lunch provided for in-person sessions; travel and housing not included)
Program Dates: Virtual: April 22 & April 29 (evenings), In-person: June 12, June 26, July 10, or July 24 (one-day programs)
Application Deadline: March 20 (application opens January 5)
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5
The Kelley Women’s Leadership Institute (KWLI) is a selective leadership and business program that allows you to explore what inclusive leadership looks like in real-world business contexts. Through faculty-led lectures at the Kelley School of Business, you engage with core leadership concepts and examine how women drive innovation and impact across industries. You work through real business case projects, strengthening your analytical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills alongside peers who share an interest in business and leadership. The program also helps you identify areas of business aligned with your long-term academic, career, and personal goals.
7. Business Leadership Program (BLP)
Location: University of Colorado Boulder, CO (Residential)
Cost: Free (fully funded by Leeds School of Business and corporate partners)
Program Dates: June 21 – June 27
Application Deadline: March 13
Eligibility: Colorado residents or students attending a Colorado high school; current high school juniors or incoming Leeds School of Business first-year students (Fall 2026)
The Business Leadership Program (BLP) at the University of Colorado Boulder is a selective, one-week residential experience designed to immerse you in business problem-solving at the Leeds School of Business. During the program, you work in diverse teams on a competitive case challenge, developing and presenting a marketing campaign for real corporate partners such as EY, Deloitte, and KeyBank. You gain hands-on exposure to business strategy, teamwork, and leadership while receiving guidance from Leeds faculty, staff, and industry professionals. You also live on campus, network with peers from across Colorado, and compete for a $1,000 scholarship awarded to the top-performing team, making this program both academically and professionally rewarding.
8. Summer Venture in Business (SVB)
Location: University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS (Residential)
Cost: Free; all accepted students receive a scholarship covering housing, dining, and program materials
Program Dates: Session 1: June 15 – June 20, Session 2: July 13 – July 18
Application Deadline: Typically spring (exact deadline varies by year)
Eligibility: High school students interested in business and pre-college preparation
The Summer Venture in Business (SVB) is a pre-college summer academy that allows you to explore business studies while experiencing life at a major public university. The program introduces you to core business topics alongside college-readiness skills such as navigating academic resources, preparing for university applications, and planning for long-term career success. You participate in interactive workshops, classroom-style learning, and group activities designed to mirror the college experience both inside and outside the classroom. The program also serves as a pipeline to academic and professional opportunities at KU, helping you understand how business education connects to real careers. With program costs fully covered through a scholarship, SVB offers an accessible and immersive introduction to studying business at the collegiate level.
9. Chicago Summer Business Institute (CSBI)
Location: Chicago, IL
Cost: Free; paid summer internship
Program Dates: Summer (exact dates vary by placement)
Application Deadline: February 1 - March 31
Eligibility: Chicago residents who are high school sophomores or juniors, maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA, have a household income below $80,000, and can commit to full program requirements
The Chicago Summer Business Institute (CSBI) is a long-standing, highly regarded program that places you in a paid summer internship while introducing you to careers in business and financial services. During the program, you work in real professional environments while developing competencies such as communication, workplace professionalism, and career planning. The program also emphasizes long-term impact, connecting you to a network of alumni who have gone on to leadership roles across industries. By combining paid work experience with structured support and high expectations, CSBI provides a strong foundation if you are interested in business, finance, or leadership pathways.
10. Michigan Ross Summer Business Academy
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (Residential)
Cost: $5,500; need-based full and partial scholarships available
Program Dates: Session 1: June 7 – June 17, Session 2: June 21 – July 1
Application Deadline: January 8
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors
The Michigan Ross Summer Business Academy is a selective, two-week pre-college program that allows you to explore business from the inside out at one of the world’s top undergraduate business schools. You engage in rigorous, college-level classes and workshops led by Michigan Ross faculty across multiple functional areas of business, gaining insight into how high-performing companies operate and how leaders solve complex problems. You participate in collaborative, action-based learning through group projects, case discussions, and applied exercises that reflect the Ross BBA classroom experience. The program also includes guest speakers, field trips, and networking opportunities with faculty and industry experts. By living and learning alongside a small cohort of high-achieving peers, you gain an authentic preview of college life while building confidence, business acumen, and leadership skills.
11. Babson Summer Study for High School Students
Location: Online or New England Innovation Academy (NEIA), Marlborough, MA (in-person day or residential options)
Cost: Online: $6,295, In-person (Day): $9,295, In-person (Residential): $12,995. Need-based financial aid available; $95 application fee
Program Dates: July 8 – July 28
Application Deadline: Typically early January (info session January 8)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
Babson Summer Study is a highly selective, three-week pre-college program that immerses you in entrepreneurial thinking at Babson College, the nation’s top-ranked institution for entrepreneurship. You’ll develop an entrepreneurial mindset using Babson’s Entrepreneurial Thought & Action® framework while working on real challenges aligned with the United Nations Global Goals. You collaborate with a global cohort of peers, build and pitch venture ideas, and strengthen skills in innovation, leadership, and problem-solving. You earn 4 Babson College credits upon completion, making this program especially valuable if you are considering entrepreneurship or business in college. In the in-person format hosted at NEIA, you also participate in an integrated AI-for-business program, gaining exposure to how emerging technologies intersect with startup creation and business strategy.
12. Summer Entrepreneurship Program for High School Students
Location: Suffolk University, Boston, MA (in-person; commuter only)
Cost: Free (lunch and local subway/bus pass provided)
Program Dates: July 7 – July 24
Application Deadline: March 13
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors with a minimum 2.7 GPA; rising juniors considered on a space-available basis
The Summer Entrepreneurship Program at Suffolk University allows you to develop an entrepreneurial mindset while gaining hands-on exposure to how new ventures are launched and scaled. During this three-week, in-person program, you learn core entrepreneurial frameworks, problem-solving strategies, and value-creation concepts through lectures, team-based projects, and interactive workshops. You collaborate with peers on developing a new business concept and present your idea at a culminating pitch-style event. The program also includes visits and guest sessions with Boston-area entrepreneurs and business executives. In addition, you earn 3 Suffolk University college credits and gain exposure to campus resources and college application guidance, making this program especially valuable if you are considering studying business or entrepreneurship in college.
13. Essentials of Entrepreneurship – Wharton Global Youth
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA (on campus)
Cost: $8,299; need-based financial aid available
Program Dates: June 7 – June 19, June 21 – July 3, July 12 – July 25, July 26 – August 8
Application Deadline: Priority deadline January 28; final deadline March 18
Eligibility: High school students currently enrolled in grades 9–11
Essentials of Entrepreneurship is a selective, two-week immersive program that introduces you to the foundations of launching a startup through Wharton’s globally recognised entrepreneurship curriculum. Throughout the program, you engage in interactive lectures, hands-on activities, and team-based collaboration to develop skills in innovation, marketing, venture creation, and strategic decision-making. You work with peers to identify real-world problems, conduct market research using credible data sources, and design and test a minimum viable product through customer interviews and experimentation. The experience culminates in a formal pitch presentation, in which you present your startup concept and receive feedback from instructors and judges.
14. Academic Immersion at Boston University’s Business Track
Location: Boston University, Boston, MA
Cost: $5,640
Program Dates: Three-week program during the summer
Application Deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors enrolled in a college-preparatory curriculum.
AIM: Business is a three-week summer program offered by Boston University in partnership with the Questrom School of Business. The program is designed to give you practical exposure to entrepreneurship and core business concepts in a college-style setting. In the mornings, you attend classes that cover marketing, finance, operations management, organisational behaviour, and quantitative methods used in business decision-making. These sessions focus on how businesses think through problems rather than memorising terminology. Afternoons are application-focused. You work in teams on case studies and build a New Product Development business plan, moving from idea generation to validation and execution.
15. Entrepreneurship Academy
Location: Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. (Residential or commuter options)
Cost: $6,465 (residential) | $5,075 (commuter)
Program Dates: June 7 – June 19
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort (early application recommended)
Eligibility: High school students interested in entrepreneurship and business
The Georgetown University Entrepreneurship Academy is a two-week immersive summer program that allows you to explore what it takes to build, manage, and scale a venture in a real business environment. Throughout the program, you study core entrepreneurial concepts, including startup ideation, market research, prototype testing, risk management, and global business strategy, while applying design thinking frameworks to refine your ideas. You work in small teams to develop a business plan and pitch your concept in a final presentation, strengthening both analytical and communication skills. Through guest lectures, case studies, and off-site visits with experienced entrepreneurs across industries, you gain insight into entrepreneurship as a career path while experiencing college-level academics and campus life at Georgetown.
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