15 Social Entrepreneurship Programs for High School Students
If you’re a high school student thinking about combining business skills with community impact, consider joining a social entrepreneurship program to understand how social ventures grow. These programs teach you how to identify community needs, design practical solutions, and measure the social or environmental outcomes of your projects.
As a participant, you will learn the basics of entrepreneurship while focusing on issues like sustainability, inequality, public health, or education. Many of the social entrepreneurship programs below include workshops, mentorship, and team-based projects. Some programs will even guide you through pitching your plan or launching small-scale initiatives in your school or community.
Why should I participate in a social entrepreneurship program in high school?
Participating in a social entrepreneurship program helps you understand how business can be used for social good. It also builds your skills in research, leadership, and problem-solving. These can support your college goals or future career in business, policy, or development.
With that, here’s a list of 15 social entrepreneurship programs for high school students!
If you’re also interested in general entrepreneurship programs, check out this piece.
(Note: Not all programs on this list focus solely on social entrepreneurship. Some cover general entrepreneurship or leadership but include elements like social impact or community service.)
15 Social Entrepreneurship Programs for High School Students
1. Brown’s Leadership in Changing Business: Social Entrepreneurship
Location: Providence, RI (in-person and remote options available)
Cost: $5,534 (residential), $4,286 (commuter), or $5,314 (virtual)
Dates: June 23 – July 18 (virtual) or June 30 – July 11 (on-campus)
Application deadline: May 9
Eligibility: Students completing grades 9 – 12 who will be 14 to 18 years of age by June 15
Brown University’s two-week Leadership in Changing Business: Social Entrepreneurship course helps high school students understand how businesses can address challenges in healthcare, education, and sustainability. You’ll study different types of business models, including nonprofit, for-profit, and hybrid structures, and learn how they can create social impact. The course includes lectures, discussions, and sessions with guest speakers who share their experiences in social innovation. You’ll also develop a business plan and pitch for a venture that solves a real community or global problem. Other topics include leadership ethics, social justice, and the idea of combining profit with purpose.
2. Startup UCLA: Social Entrepreneurship Summer Institute
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Cost: $3,921 (on-campus) or $1,850 (virtual)
Dates: June 23 – July 4 (Session A: Virtual), July 6 – 19 (Session B: Residential), July 20 – August 2 (Session C: Residential), or August 4 – 15 (Session D: Virtual)
Application deadline: June 13 (Session A), June 6 (Sessions B and C), or July 25 (Session D)
Eligibility: 10th – 12th grade students in Spring
Hosted by UCLA, the Social Entrepreneurship Summer Institute provides high school students with the tools to design and launch mission-driven ventures that address real-world issues. During the program, you’ll learn how to identify social problems, research effective solutions, and develop a business model for a nonprofit or social enterprise. The experience begins with foundational lessons in venture creation and transitions into a hands-on phase where teams design and pitch their own startup ideas. Each team prepares a five-minute presentation to a panel of entrepreneurs and investors, gaining valuable feedback and exposure to professional evaluation.
3. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies by program type | Financial aid available
Application deadline: Cohorts throughout the year, including summer
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10–20 hours/week, for 8–12 weeks | Open to high schoolers, undergraduates, and gap-year students
The Ladder Internship Program is an eight-week online internship for high school students. It connects you with nonprofits working in areas like technology, media, healthcare, and consulting. You’ll be placed with a company and work on a project that supports real business goals. Throughout the program, you’ll work with company managers and receive guidance from a Ladder Coach who mentors you through your tasks and career development. The program also includes sessions on communication, time management, and leadership. At the end, you’ll present your final project to your host organization. You can explore all the options here.
4. Young Founders Lab
Location: This program is 100% virtual, with live, interactive workshops
Cost: Varies depending on program type. There is need-based financial aid
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer, fall, winter, and spring
Application deadline: Varies according to cohort. You can access the application link here!
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
The Young Founders Lab is a virtual program where high school students learn how to build a startup from idea to launch under the guidance of Harvard-affiliated mentors. You’ll identify real-world problems and create business solutions that can be either for-profit or nonprofit. The program includes workshops, case studies, and sessions on business planning and ideation. You’ll work in teams to design prototypes, develop a minimum viable product, and refine your ideas with mentor feedback. By the end, you’ll prepare and present a pitch that clearly explains your startup concept and goals. You can check out the brochure for the program here.
5. Columbia’s Entrepreneurship & Innovation: Changing the World via Venture Creation
Location: New York, NY
Cost: $12,764 (residential) or $6,310 (commuter)
Dates: June 30 – July 18 (Summer A) or July 22 – August 8 (Summer B)
Application deadline: April 20
Eligibility: High school students enrolled in grades 9–12 in the fall and students currently enrolled in grade 12. The NYC Residential Summer program is open to students who are 15 years of age or above
Columbia University’s Entrepreneurship & Innovation program walks you through the process of developing a new business or social enterprise from concept to launch-readiness. Through interactive lectures, team projects, and peer review, you’ll explore all major elements of venture creation. You will study business model design, product-market validation, branding, financing, and legal considerations. Teams refine their ideas through assignments, learning how to assess markets, manage resources, and align social goals with business sustainability. The program also covers practical skill-building in negotiation, communication, and project management. By the end of the course, you’ll produce a complete venture plan supported by investor pitches and digital materials such as websites or crowdfunding videos.
6. Snider Enterprise and Leadership Fellows (SELF) Experience
Location: University of Maryland (in-person or remote)
Cost: $1,365
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: July 14 – August 1
Application deadline: June 1
Eligibility: Open to rising students in grade 10 to graduating from grade 12
Hosted by the University of Maryland, the Snider Enterprise and Leadership Fellows (SELF) Experience combines entrepreneurship education with leadership development. Over three weeks, students explore topics such as marketing, strategy, and personal finance while learning how to approach leadership with an entrepreneurial mindset. The program is centered on self-reliance and creativity, positioning each participant as the “CEO of ME, Inc.” Working in teams, students design and pitch ventures that address real-world problems, applying lessons from faculty-led workshops and mentorship sessions with business professionals.
7. CU Boulder Business Leadership Program
Location: University of Colorado Boulder
Cost: Free
Dates: June 21–27
Application deadline: March 13
Eligibility: Open to current high school juniors and incoming Leeds School of Business first-year students (starting the Fall semester)
The University of Colorado Boulder’s Business Leadership Program provides high school students with a one-week, hands-on experience that combines leadership training with business problem-solving. Hosted by the Leeds School of Business, the program challenges you to work in teams to design and implement a marketing campaign for a corporate partner, culminating in a competitive case presentation. Throughout the week, you’ll learn directly from faculty members and corporate professionals through interactive workshops and discussions. The top-performing team earns a $1,000 scholarship to the Leeds School of Business. The program will equip you with leadership and teamwork skills that are essential for social entrepreneurship.
8. Wharton Global Youth Program: Essentials of Entrepreneurship
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $8,299 plus $100 as an application fee; financial aid available
Dates: June 7 – 20 (session 1), June 21 – July 3 (session 2), July 12 – 25 (session 3), or July 26 – August 8 (session 4)
Application deadline: March 18
Eligibility: High school students currently enrolled in grades 9 to 11
The Wharton Essentials of Entrepreneurship program at the University of Pennsylvania introduces students to the process of transforming innovative ideas into viable startups. Over two weeks, you’ll explore core entrepreneurial principles such as customer discovery, market research, product design, and early-stage funding. The curriculum combines lectures, workshops, and team-based projects where participants develop and pitch their startup concepts to a panel of judges. Wharton faculty and guest speakers will teach you Social Entrepreneurship, Idea Generation, Business Model Generation, and more. Upon completion, participants earn a Wharton Global Youth Certificate of Completion.
9. NFTE Pathway Program: BizCamp™
Location: Nationwide at local sites
Cost: Varies by camp location; stipends may be available
Dates: Varies by location; typically summer
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–12
NFTE’s BizCamp™ is a 40–60-hour entrepreneurship program for high school students that teaches you how to think and work like an entrepreneur. You’ll use the Lean Business Model Canvas to develop a business idea, research customers, and define your value proposition. The program guides you through creating a business plan and marketing strategy before presenting your final pitch for local recognition or competition. You’ll also learn about financial planning, branding, customer segmentation, and measuring impact. NFTE-trained instructors, digital resources, and mentors provide support throughout the program to help you build and refine your venture.
10. Babson Summer Study
Location: New England Innovation Academy (NEIA) in Marlborough, MA(in-person or remote)
Cost: $6,295 (online), $9,295 (commuter), $12,995 (residential)
Dates: July 8-28
Application deadline: Early Bird: February 13; Standard: March 13
Eligibility: Open to rising high school juniors and seniors
Babson College’s Summer Study is a three-week pre-college program that introduces rising juniors and seniors to entrepreneurship through Babson’s Entrepreneurial Thought & Action® framework. You’ll earn four college credits while learning how to connect business innovation with social and environmental problem-solving aligned with the United Nations Global Goals. The program combines classroom sessions, team-based projects, and mentorship to help you develop a social impact venture from idea to execution. You’ll gain exposure to key business disciplines such as marketing, finance, and leadership while working closely with faculty and student mentors.
11. Business Research for Innovation, Design, Growth, and Entrepreneurship (BRIDGE) at UCSD
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,500
Dates: July 6 - July 23
Application deadline: June 26
Eligibility: Open to high school students (9th- 12th) with a minimum 3.3 GPA.
The BRIDGE program at the University of California, San Diego, introduces high school students to business innovation and entrepreneurship through a blend of academic theory and practical application. You’ll engage in live sessions, case studies, and simulations that mirror the challenges faced by real startups. The curriculum covers essential topics such as innovation strategy, venture financing, business design, and scalable growth. You’ll learn skills that can be applied to social entrepreneurship ventures, such as identifying unmet market needs and designing effective business models. The program also highlights how economic and financial principles underpin successful ventures.
12. 21st Century Leaders Summer Youth Leadership Institute (SYLI)
Location: Emory University, GA
Cost: $395 (financial aid is available)
Dates: June 1 – 6
Application deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Open to rising sophomores, juniors, or seniors in high school who live in the state of Georgia
Held at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, the Summer Youth Leadership Institute (SYLI) immerses high school students from Georgia in the world of business and leadership. Over one week, you’ll explore various industries–ranging from marketing to entrepreneurship, through interactive workshops, networking events, and corporate site visits. The residential experience allows you to live on campus, collaborate with peers, and engage directly with professionals and alumni who provide mentorship and career insights. A preparatory orientation in the spring helps participants build connections before the program begins.
13. Georgetown University: Entrepreneur Academy
Location: Georgetown University campus, Washington, D.C
Cost: $5,950 (Approx); Limited number of scholarships
Dates: June 15 – June 27
Application deadline: April 15; Rolling
Eligibility: Students in grades 8-12 during the academic year before the summer program with a GPA of 2.0
Georgetown University’s Entrepreneur Academy is a two-week intensive program that introduces students to the fundamentals of launching and managing a business, from ideation to execution. You’ll explore topics such as design thinking, prototyping, market research, and global entrepreneurship. You will also examine the ethical and social dimensions of running a venture. The curriculum integrates lectures, case studies, and hands-on projects, allowing you to develop a business plan in teams and present it in a final pitch competition. Throughout the program, you’ll engage directly with entrepreneurs and industry experts, gaining real-world insights into startup challenges and opportunities.
14. Northeastern University – Experiential Entrepreneurship
Location: Boston, MA (Northeastern University campus)
Cost: $7,095
Dates: July 12 – 24
Application deadline: February 28
Eligibility: High school students
Northeastern University’s Experiential Entrepreneurship program enables high school students to experience what it’s like to launch a startup from scratch. Over the course of the program, you’ll form teams, develop a business idea, and pitch your venture to a panel of entrepreneurs. The program content focuses on creativity, innovation, and systems thinking—helpful skills if you’re interested in designing impactful social entrepreneurship business models. You’ll receive mentorship from industry professionals and learn practical skills in negotiation, communication, and leadership.
15. Economics for Leaders (EFL) by the Foundation for Teaching Economics (FTE)
Location: One week in the summer. Check out the location-based program schedule here.
Cost: Varies based on location and format; scholarships available
Dates: Varies by location; See here for information on the site and dates
Application deadline: April 9
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors
EFL by the Foundation for Teaching Economics combines economics and leadership training to help high school students understand how economic thinking supports better decision-making. You’ll learn core concepts such as scarcity, opportunity cost, and market dynamics, and see how they apply to leadership in business and policy. The program includes lectures, discussions, and simulations that connect theory with real-world examples. The core economics concepts covered in this program provide a solid foundation for engaging in social entrepreneurship. Each session includes case studies and activities that strengthen your collaboration, communication, and analytical skills.