9 Remote Business Internships Hosted by Global Startups
For high school students serious about building a future in business, practical experience is very valuable. Business internships for high school students bridge the gap between theory and practice, giving you the chance to see how strategies, problem-solving, and teamwork play out in a professional environment. They help you explore different career paths while building your skills in communication, leadership, and adaptability.
Remote business internships are especially valuable because they’re accessible no matter where you live, removing geographical barriers while still offering meaningful experience. And when these internships are hosted by global startups, not just those based in the U.S., you gain exposure to diverse work cultures and the atmosphere of fast-growing companies.
In this blog, we’ve compiled a list of 9 remote business internships hosted by global startups for high schoolers.
1. Ladder Internship Program
Cost/Stipend: Varies according to program. Financial aid available
Application deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
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 where you work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. 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 on average raising over a million dollars. Past founders have included YCombinator alums, founders raising over 30 million dollars, or founders who previously worked at Microsoft, Google, and Facebook. In the program, interns work closely with their managers and a Ladder Coach on practical projects and present their work to the company. Here is the application form. As an intern, you are offered one-on-one training in communication, time management, and other such valuable skills and you will also have the opportunity to attend group training sessions with other interns in your cohort. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.
2. Young Founders Lab
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on program type
Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort. You can access the application link here
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer, fall, winter, and spring
Eligibility: The program is currently open to all high school students
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 practical 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 excellent opportunity to delve into the world of business in high school and have a space to explore multiple theoretical as well as practical frameworks that lead to a successful business. You can check out the brochure for the program here.
3. Future Founders – Be Your Own Boss Internship
Cost/Stipend: Free of cost. Paid internship (amount based on attendance and participation)
Application Deadline: Closed for current cycle; future deadlines announced on program site
Program Dates: Multiple cycles throughout the year
Eligibility: Open to high school students in public or charter schools in Chicago and nationwide; no prior entrepreneurship experience required
Future Founders’ Be Your Own Boss Internship immerses you in the startup ecosystem while guiding you to create, prototype, and pitch your own business idea. Over several weeks, you’ll work in teams on real entrepreneurial projects, receive mentorship from seasoned business leaders, and participate in virtual showcases to present your startup concept. The program blends STEM integration, app prototyping, and career exposure with networking opportunities that connect you to peers and tech leaders across the country. With its focus on hands-on learning, professional networking, and practical business skill-building, this internship is both a paid opportunity and a launchpad for aspiring young entrepreneurs.
4. Interns 4-Good Virtual Internships
Cost/Stipend: Free of cost. Unpaid (volunteer-based)
Application deadline: No fixed deadline; applications accepted year-round
Program dates: Year-round (projects assigned on a rolling basis)
Eligibility: Open to high school students globally with a strong interest in service, business-related skills, or nonprofit work.
Interns 4-Good offers high school students the opportunity to build professional skills while contributing to nonprofit organizations remotely. Internships are service-oriented and may include roles in social media management, marketing, fundraising, event planning, and administrative support, all relevant for students exploring business careers. The platform connects volunteers with over 190 nonprofit partners, giving you practical exposure to project-based work, collaboration, and community impact. Because all roles are virtual and flexible, you can participate from anywhere in the world alongside your academic commitments.
Bonus
Although the following remote business internships aren’t offered by global startups, they allow you to build the kinds of practical skills you’d develop at a startup.
5. EnergyMag – Virtual Internship
Cost/Stipend: Free of cost. Unpaid
Application Deadline: Rolling
Program Dates: Half-time (2–8 weeks, 20 hrs/week, summer) or quarter-time (1–9 months, 8 hrs/week, year-round)
Eligibility: Open to high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors with at least one honors science or English class (exceptions possible); GPA 3.25+
EnergyMag’s virtual internship gives you the chance to research and analyze the fast-growing renewable energy storage industry from a business and technology perspective. Depending on your background, you might investigate a company, market niche, or technology, contacting industry experts, gathering data, and producing a publishable analysis report under the guidance of a mentor. The program blends scientific and business research, developing your analytical, professional communication, and market evaluation skills. With flexible hours and a global scope, this internship offers a deep dive into an industry critical to the world’s energy future while building transferable research and business analysis expertise.
6. Harvard Undergraduate Ventures–TECH Summer Program (HUVTSP)
Cost/Stipend: $4,750; financial aid available (scholarships up to 100% tuition). Unpaid internship
Application Deadline: Invite-Only Round: Dec 31, 2024 | Early Admissions: Feb 28 | Regular Admissions: Apr 14
Program Dates: Session I: June 9 – July 18; Session II: July 7 – August 15
Eligibility: Open to all high school grades internationally; gap-year students before undergrad may also apply; no prior entrepreneurship experience required
HUVTSP immerses you in technology and entrepreneurship through a 6-week internship with a venture capital-backed startup. You’ll work directly with founders and C-suite executives on projects tailored to your career interests, gaining experience in strategy, innovation management, and product development. Daily seminars and workshops are led by world-class entrepreneurs, investors, and Harvard faculty, covering MBA-level case studies, innovation strategy, and decision-making. With access to VC-backed companies, one-on-one mentorship, and a global peer network, HUVTSP offers a rare opportunity to contribute to real startup growth while learning from leaders who have raised millions and scaled products worldwide.
7. NASA OSTEM High School Internship Program
Cost/Stipend: Paid (amount varies by role and location)
Application Deadline: February 27 (Summer); September 12 (Spring); May 22 (Fall)
Program Dates: Summer Session: June–August
Eligibility: U.S. citizens; high school students age 16+ with 3.0 GPA or higher
NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) internships offer high school students a rare chance to work alongside some of the brightest minds in science, engineering, and business. While many associate NASA with aerospace engineering, numerous internships are available in non-STEM fields such as procurement, accounting, budgeting, program management, and IT, making it a strong choice if you’re interested in business careers. As an intern, you can participate in hands-on projects, gain career-ready skills, and explore potential career paths in a globally recognized organization.
8. UNC Nutrition Research Institute (NRI) High School Virtual Internship Program – Business Track
Cost/Stipend: Free of cost. Unpaid
Application deadline: Not specified; check website for updates
Program dates: June 3 to June 26
Eligibility: Open to rising freshmen through seniors in high school; students should have an interest in business administration, nonprofit operations, or science-related business functions.
The UNC Nutrition Research Institute’s High School Virtual Internship Program gives you insight into both the scientific and business operations of a $20 million research organization. In the business track, you will gain experience in areas such as project coordination, marketing, and administrative processes that support large-scale research efforts. Over six weeks, you will attend weekly lectures and group mentoring sessions via Zoom, and complete an independent capstone project, building skills in communication, research, and professional collaboration.
9. Organizational Leadership 5-Week Virtual Summer Research Experience – Stevens Institute of Technology
Cost/Stipend: $1,500. Unpaid
Application deadline: March 1
Program dates: July 7 – August 11
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors entering fall 2025
This immersive five-week virtual program, hosted by the Stevens School of Business, focuses on key management principles such as organizational leadership, corporate culture, ethics and social responsibility, and strategic communication. Through asynchronous weekly modules and live office hours with faculty and mentors, you’ll deepen your understanding of leadership dynamics while refining research and communication skills. The program also fosters critical thinking and ethical decision-making, preparing you for success in higher education and future business careers.