15 Startup Networking Events for High School Students
As a high school student, networking activities can introduce you to founders, investors, mentors, industry professionals, and other young entrepreneurs who share similar interests.
What do startup networking events involve?
Many startup networking events for high school students expose you to startup ecosystems, pitch competitions, incubators, and innovation programs that can support your long-term goals. Depending on the event, you might attend workshops, hear from founders and investors, or participate in a live pitch competition alongside other student entrepreneurs.
Why pursue startup networking in high school?
It can also provide evidence of sustained engagement with entrepreneurship when applying to colleges, summer programs, or scholarships. Whether you are launching a venture or simply exploring the startup world, networking events can help you better understand how ideas become successful organizations.
For related opportunities, check out our guides on entrepreneurship internships for high school students in Silicon Valley and business competitions for high school students.
Quick Look
7 free events: Diamond Challenge, AI & Cyber Entrepreneurship Launchpad, Misericordia University Entrepreneurship Camp, Citizen Entrepreneurship Competition, Wharton Global High School Investment Competition, Jacobson Institute Innovator Competition, and JA Social Innovation Challenge.
2 events tied to a specific membership or organization: Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA membership) and JA Social Innovation Challenge (Junior Achievement program completion required).
3 in-person, city-specific events: Youth Mean Business Summit (Atlanta), Harvard Crimson Business Competition (Cambridge), and Techstars Startup Weekend (varies by city).
Ongoing mentorship option: Young Founders Lab connects you with entrepreneurs and a community of student founders year-round, rather than at a single event.
14 Startup Networking Events for High School Students
1. Conrad Challenge
Cost: Paid registration; fee varies by team size and competition stage. Financial assistance may be available.
Dates: August 28 – April 25
Application Deadline: October 30
Eligibility: Students ages 13–18 from anywhere in the world. Participants compete in teams and may return in future years if they continue to meet eligibility requirements.
The Conrad Challenge is a global innovation and entrepreneurship competition that brings together students interested in solving problems through startup-style thinking. Teams work through a multi-stage process that mirrors how entrepreneurs identify problems, develop solutions, and communicate their ideas to stakeholders. Participants choose from challenge areas such as health and nutrition, energy and environment, aerospace and aviation, water, and cybersecurity. As part of the program, you collaborate with teammates to research an issue, develop an innovative solution, and prepare submissions that explain both the problem and your proposed approach. Throughout the competition, you interact with a community of student innovators, educators, judges, and industry professionals. Teams that advance to later stages receive opportunities to present their ideas at the Innovation Summit, where they connect with peers and experts from around the world.
Examples of activities:
Forming a startup-style innovation team
Researching a challenge
Developing and refining a proposed solution
Presenting ideas to judges and industry professionals
Networking with finalists and student innovators from different countries
Difficulty Level: Moderate to High
Location: Virtual competition with an in-person Innovation Summit for finalists
Resources/Experience Required:
Ability to work collaboratively in a team
Interest in innovation, entrepreneurship, or STEM
Time for research, planning, and presentations
No prior startup experience required
2. Future Business Leaders of America
Cost: Membership and conference fees vary by chapter and event; travel and lodging costs may apply for national conferences.
Dates: June 29 – July 2 (National Leadership Conference)
Application Deadline: Varies by local chapter, state competition, and conference registration timeline.
Eligibility: Middle school and high school students who are members of an FBLA chapter.
FBLA is one of the largest business-focused student organizations in the United States, providing opportunities to participate in competitions, leadership conferences, workshops, and networking events throughout the year. Through local, state, and national chapters, you can connect with students who share interests in entrepreneurship, finance, marketing, management, and leadership. One of the organization's largest networking opportunities is the National Leadership Conference (NLC), which brings together thousands of students from across the country. During the conference, you can attend keynote presentations, visit exhibitor halls, participate in leadership sessions, and interact with business professionals, educators, and student leaders. The event creates opportunities to meet peers from different regions while learning about career paths, emerging industries, and business trends.
Examples of activities:
Attending leadership conferences and workshops
Participating in entrepreneurship and business competitions
Networking with students from across the United States
Meeting recruiters, professionals, and business leaders at conference expos
Listening to keynote speakers from industry and entrepreneurship backgrounds
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Location: Local chapters nationwide; major conferences held in various U.S. cities
Resources/Experience Required:
Membership in an FBLA chapter
Interest in business, entrepreneurship, or leadership
Willingness to participate in conferences and competitions
No prior entrepreneurial experience required
3. Techstars Startup Weekend
Cost: Varies by location; some events charge a registration fee, while others are sponsored or subsidized
Dates: Multiple events held throughout the year; dates vary by city
Application Deadline: Registration typically remains open until event capacity is reached
Eligibility: Open to aspiring entrepreneurs; age requirements vary by local organizer
Techstars Startup Weekend is a three-day entrepreneurship event that introduces you to the process of building a startup alongside other aspiring founders and innovators. The experience begins with idea pitches, after which participants form teams around the most promising concepts. Over the course of the weekend, you work on validating a problem, researching potential customers, developing a solution, and preparing a business presentation. Mentors from local startup ecosystems provide feedback and guidance throughout the event, helping teams refine their ideas. You also interact with entrepreneurs, investors, and professionals who share insights about launching and growing new ventures. Because participants come from different backgrounds, the event creates opportunities to meet potential collaborators and expand your professional network. The program concludes with final presentations, where teams showcase their progress and receive feedback from judges and industry experts.
Examples of activities:
Pitching a startup idea to fellow participants
Joining a team to develop a business concept
Conducting customer discovery and market validation
Building a prototype or minimum viable product
Presenting a final pitch to judges and mentors
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Location: In-person events held in cities worldwide
Resources/Experience Required:
Interest in entrepreneurship and innovation
Willingness to collaborate in teams
No prior startup experience required
Ability to participate in an intensive multi-day event
4. The Diamond Challenge
Cost: Free to participate
Dates: Competition runs throughout the academic year and culminates in the Diamond Challenge Summit
Application Deadline: Varies by competition round
Eligibility: High school students worldwide
The Diamond Challenge is a global entrepreneurship competition that encourages high school students to develop innovative solutions to problems they care about. Participants can enter individually or as part of a team and work on transforming an idea into a structured venture or social impact initiative. Throughout the competition, you refine your concept, develop supporting materials, and prepare submissions that explain the problem, solution, and potential impact of your idea. Students who advance through the competition gain access to the Diamond Challenge Summit, a multi-day event focused on entrepreneurship, innovation, and networking. The Summit brings together student founders, educators, judges, and industry professionals from around the world, creating opportunities to exchange ideas and receive feedback. You can also attend workshops, speaker sessions, and community-building activities designed to expose participants to different aspects of entrepreneurship.
Examples of activities:
Developing a startup or social innovation concept
Preparing business or impact-focused submissions
Attending entrepreneurship workshops and speaker sessions
Receiving feedback from judges and industry professionals
Networking with student innovators from different countries
Difficulty Level: Moderate to High
Location: Virtual competition with an in-person Summit for finalists
Resources/Experience Required:
Interest in entrepreneurship, innovation, or social impact
Ability to work independently or in a team
Time for research and venture development
No prior startup experience required
6. Wharton Global High School Investment Competition
Cost: Free
Dates: Registration opens August 10; competition runs for approximately 10 weeks
Application Deadline: Varies by competition cycle
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12 competing in teams of 4–6 students with a teacher advisor
The Wharton Global High School Investment Competition is a team-based investment challenge that combines finance, strategy, and business analysis in a competitive setting. Working with a teacher advisor, you and your teammates use an online stock market simulator to develop an investment portfolio for a fictional client based on a case study. In the competition, you get to research industries, evaluate companies, assess risk, and build a long-term investment strategy that aligns with the client's goals. As part of the process, you prepare written deliverables and explain the reasoning behind your investment choices. Teams that advance to later rounds present their strategies to panels of judges, creating opportunities to engage with finance professionals and experienced evaluators. The competition also connects you with peers who share an interest in business, investing, and entrepreneurship, making it a valuable networking opportunity for students exploring these fields.
Examples of activities:
Analyzing companies and industry trends
Building a diversified investment portfolio
Using a stock market simulation platform
Preparing investment reports and presentations
Presenting recommendations to expert judges
Difficulty Level: Moderate to High
Location: Virtual, with the Global Finale held at the University of Pennsylvania
Resources/Experience Required:
Team of 4–6 students
Teacher advisor
Interest in finance, investing, or business
No prior investing experience required, though basic financial knowledge can be helpful
7. AI & Cyber Entrepreneurship Launchpad - Summer Program
Cost: Free; fully scholarship-supported through the Thrive Catalyst Grant
Dates: July 9 – July 30
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Open to students, innovators, and aspiring founders interested in entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence, or cybersecurity
The AI & Cyber Entrepreneurship Launchpad is a multi-session summer program hosted by California State University, San Bernardino, that explores how emerging technologies can be transformed into startup ventures. Over four weekly sessions, you examine topics such as AI-driven business opportunities, cybersecurity innovation, customer discovery, and startup development. You also learn how concepts such as minimum viable products (MVPs), business models, and go-to-market strategies are used in early-stage startups. Faculty members, entrepreneurship educators, and industry professionals guide participants through workshops and startup-focused activities.
Examples of activities:
Exploring AI and cybersecurity startup concepts
Conducting customer discovery exercises
Developing an MVP framework
Learning startup business model design
Networking with entrepreneurs and innovation professionals
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Location: California State University, San Bernardino, CA
Resources/Experience Required:
Interest in entrepreneurship, AI, or cybersecurity
No prior startup experience required
Willingness to participate in workshops and group discussions
Basic familiarity with technology concepts can be helpful, but is not required
8. Misericordia University Entrepreneurship Camp
Cost: Free
Dates: June 28–30
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
Misericordia University’s Entrepreneurship Camp is a three-day residential program that introduces you to the fundamentals of launching and presenting a business idea. The camp is designed for high school students who are interested in entrepreneurship, whether they already have a startup concept or are just beginning to explore the field. Through guided workshops, you learn how to identify opportunities, evaluate ideas, and develop a business model using entrepreneurial frameworks. Throughout the experience, you work alongside peers who share an interest in business and innovation while receiving feedback from entrepreneurs and industry professionals. The residential format creates additional opportunities to build connections and discuss ideas outside formal sessions. The camp concludes with live pitch presentations where you showcase your venture concept and receive feedback from mentors and judges.
Examples of activities:
Generating and refining startup ideas
Building a Business Model Canvas
Participating in entrepreneurship workshops
Receiving mentorship from business professionals
Delivering a final startup pitch
Difficulty Level: Beginner to Moderate
Location: Misericordia University, Dallas, PA
Resources/Experience Required:
Interest in entrepreneurship or business
No prior startup experience required
Willingness to collaborate and present ideas
Ability to attend the full three-day residential program
9. Tower Heritage Center Young Entrepreneurs Teen Summer Program
Cost: Paid program
Dates: Five-day summer program
Application Deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: Teen students; specific age requirements may vary
The Tower Heritage Center Young Entrepreneurs Teen Summer Program is a short entrepreneurship experience designed to introduce you to the fundamentals of starting and operating a business. Over five days, you learn directly from entrepreneurs who share insights about their career paths, business challenges, and decision-making processes. The program includes guest speaker sessions where you can ask questions and gain perspective on different industries and startup journeys. Through workshops and guided activities, you explore topics such as business planning, marketing, and funding strategies. The curriculum focuses on helping you understand how an idea develops into a viable business concept. Along the way, you can connect with business owners, mentors, and fellow students who share an interest in entrepreneurship, making the program both a learning and networking opportunity.
Examples of activities:
Meeting local entrepreneurs through guest speaker sessions
Visiting businesses and learning about their operations
Creating a basic business plan
Exploring marketing and branding strategies
Discussing funding options for new ventures
Difficulty Level: Beginner
Location: West Bend, WI
Resources/Experience Required:
Interest in entrepreneurship or business
No prior experience required
Willingness to participate in discussions and group activities
Ability to attend the full five-day program
10. Youth Mean Business (YMB) Summit
Cost: Paid registration; pricing varies by ticket type
Dates: September 12
Application Deadline: Registration closes before event capacity is reached
Eligibility: Youth entrepreneurs ages 11–17, aspiring founders, and their families
The Youth Mean Business (YMB) Summit is a one-day entrepreneurship conference designed specifically for middle and high school students who are interested in building businesses or exploring entrepreneurship. The event brings together young founders, aspiring entrepreneurs, parents, mentors, and business professionals for a full day of learning and networking. Throughout the summit, you can attend workshops focused on topics such as business fundamentals, leadership, innovation, and venture growth. One of the event's central features is a live pitch competition, where selected participants present their ideas and compete for funding and other resources. Dedicated tracks for both current business owners and students who are still exploring entrepreneurship allow attendees to engage with content that matches their experience level.
Examples of activities:
Attending entrepreneurship workshops and keynote talks
Networking with youth founders and business professionals
Participating in mentoring sessions
Watching or competing in a startup pitch competition
Connecting with organizations that support young entrepreneurs
Difficulty Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Location: Atlanta, GA
Resources/Experience Required:
Interest in entrepreneurship or business
No prior startup experience required
Willingness to engage in discussions and networking
Existing business idea helpful but not required
11. Citizen Entrepreneurship Competition
Cost: Free
Dates: Annual competition; submission and voting periods vary by cycle
Application Deadline: Varies by competition year
Eligibility: Open to entrepreneurs and aspiring innovators aged 13 and older worldwide
The Citizen Entrepreneurship Competition (CEC) is a global entrepreneurship initiative that encourages young people to develop ideas that address social, environmental, economic, and community challenges. The competition focuses on projects aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), making it particularly relevant for students interested in social entrepreneurship and impact-driven innovation. You begin by submitting a short description of your idea and completing entrepreneurship-focused learning activities designed to strengthen your proposal. Participants also use tools such as the Entrepreneurial Design Canvas to refine their business or social impact model. Throughout the process, you become part of an international online community where members share feedback, discuss ideas, and connect with innovators from around the world. During the voting phase, participants promote their projects while engaging with other submissions and building visibility for their ideas. Finalists receive additional recognition through evaluation by an expert jury, creating opportunities to gain exposure within a global entrepreneurship network.
Examples of activities:
Submitting a social impact or business idea
Completing entrepreneurship learning modules
Developing an Entrepreneurial Design Canvas
Networking with participants from different countries
Gathering feedback and participating in community discussions
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Location: Virtual
Resources/Experience Required:
An idea related to a social, environmental, or economic challenge
Interest in entrepreneurship or innovation
Ability to prepare a written pitch
No prior business experience required
12. Harvard Crimson Business Competition
Cost: Registration fees apply; travel and accommodation costs may apply for Global Championship finalists
Dates: Preliminary Round (December – June), Global Championship (June 25 – 28)
Application Deadline: June 1
Eligibility: High school students worldwide; individual and team participation options may vary by year
The Harvard Crimson Business Competition (HCBC) is an international entrepreneurship and business competition that challenges students to develop innovative solutions to actual problems. Participants begin in a preliminary round, where they submit and refine their ideas before competing for a place in the Global Championship. Students who advance to the final stage travel to Cambridge, Massachusetts, to participate in a multi-day conference hosted alongside Harvard-affiliated student organizations. During the championship, you present your business concept, receive feedback from judges, and engage with students from around the world who share an interest in entrepreneurship. The event also includes mentorship opportunities with Harvard students who help participants strengthen their ideas and presentations.
Examples of activities:
Developing a solution to a global challenge
Preparing a business proposal or presentation
Receiving feedback from mentors and judges
Networking with students from different countries
Participating in workshops and championship events
Difficulty Level: Moderate to High
Location: Preliminary rounds online; Global Championship in Cambridge, MA
Resources/Experience Required:
Interest in business, entrepreneurship, or innovation
Ability to research and present ideas
Teamwork and communication skills
No prior startup experience required, though helpful
13. Jacobson Institute Innovator Competition
Cost: Free to enter; winners receive seed funding prizes totaling $3,000
Dates: Fall and Spring competitions offered annually
Application Deadline: April 17 (Spring competition)
Eligibility: U.S. citizens in grades 9–12 residing in the United States or its territories; adult or teacher support required
The Jacobson Institute Innovator Competition is a virtual entrepreneurship pitch competition that allows high school students to present business ideas, products, or early-stage ventures to experienced entrepreneurs. To apply, you submit a one-page executive summary outlining your business concept, target market, competitive advantage, revenue model, and future plans. Finalists advance to a live virtual pitching round, where they deliver a three-minute elevator pitch followed by a question-and-answer session with judges. Since judging is conducted by experienced entrepreneurs, participants receive feedback that can help strengthen both their business concept and presentation skills. The event also serves as a networking opportunity, connecting students with business professionals who evaluate innovative ideas and emerging ventures.
Examples of activities:
Writing a startup executive summary
Developing an elevator pitch
Presenting a business idea via Zoom
Answering questions from entrepreneur judges
Refining a venture based on professional feedback
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Location: Virtual
Resources/Experience Required:
A business idea, product, or startup concept
Adult or teacher support during the competition process
Ability to prepare a written application and a short presentation
No prior business coursework required
14. Robert H. Rines Young Inventors' Program
Cost: Typically free or low-cost through participating schools and community organizations
Dates: Available throughout the academic year; regional invention fairs are generally held in the spring
Application Deadline: Varies by local program or invention fair
Eligibility: Open to K–12 students; independent participation is available for students without a local YIP program
The Robert H. Rines Young Inventors' Program is an invention-focused initiative that helps students transform original ideas into working prototypes and presentations. The program encourages you to identify a problem that matters to you and develop your own solution using the invention process. You research the problem, test different approaches, build prototypes, and document your progress in an inventor’s journal. Students can participate through schools, community organizations, clubs, or as independent inventors working from home. Along the way, you may connect with educators, STEM professionals, and fellow young inventors through workshops, invention fairs, and virtual events. Local invention fairs provide opportunities to showcase projects and meet students working on a wide range of innovations.
Examples of activities:
Identifying a problem to solve
Designing and testing a prototype
Maintaining an inventor's journal
Presenting inventions at local or regional fairs
Participating in STEMinars and innovation events
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Location: Schools, community organizations, independent participation, and regional invention fairs
Resources/Experience Required:
Interest in invention, engineering, or problem-solving
Ability to develop and test an original idea
Basic materials for prototyping (varies by project)
No prior invention experience required
15. JA Social Innovation Challenge
Cost: Free for eligible Junior Achievement participants
Dates: June 7 – 11
Application Deadline: April 24 (nominations due)
Eligibility: High school students enrolled during the school year; teams of 2–4 students. Participants must have completed an eligible Junior Achievement entrepreneurship program and be 18 years old or younger throughout the event.
The JA Social Innovation Challenge is a national entrepreneurship competition that focuses on developing solutions to challenges facing local communities. Teams create and refine an idea that addresses a social, environmental, or economic issue and then submit written materials and a presentation explaining their concept. The competition ends at Future Bound by Junior Achievement, where selected finalist teams present their projects and connect with students, educators, and industry professionals from across the country. Throughout the process, you work collaboratively with teammates to research a problem, evaluate potential solutions, and communicate your ideas effectively. Judges evaluate projects based on established competition criteria, and top-performing teams receive recognition and awards.
Examples of activities:
Identifying a community problem and proposing a solution
Creating a team report and presentation materials
Producing a promotional or pitch video
Presenting ideas to judges and event attendees
Networking with students, educators, and business professionals
Difficulty Level: Moderate to High
Location: Boston, MA (finalist event)
Resources/Experience Required:
Participation in an eligible Junior Achievement entrepreneurship program
Team of 2–4 students
Research, presentation, and collaboration skills
Interest in entrepreneurship and social impact initiatives
If you’re looking for an incubator program that helps you build startup & networking skills, consider the Young Founders Lab!
If you want mentorship from successful entrepreneurs in building your business and learning startup skills, the Young Founders Lab is one of the strongest programs you can join in high school. It’s a 100% virtual start-up boot camp run by Harvard entrepreneurs, designed specifically for students who want to launch a company or non-profit.
In this program, you’ll get hands-on mentorship from founders and professionals from Google, Microsoft, McKinsey, and YC-backed companies, while building a venture that solves a real-world problem. You will gain hands-on experience with concepts such as pricing, market research, unit economics, and financial decision-making, skills that directly connect economics to entrepreneurship.
Multiple cohorts run throughout the year, including summer, fall, winter, and spring, so you can join whenever it fits your schedule. Financial aid is available, and the program is open to all high school students, with no prior experience required.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which startup networking event will help me interact with startup founders?
Techstars Startup Weekend puts you directly in a room with local founders and mentors over an intensive three-day event. If you want ongoing access to founders rather than a single event, Young Founders Lab connects you with mentors from Google, Microsoft, and X while you build your own startup.
2. Are there free startup networking events for high school students?
Yes. The Diamond Challenge, Citizen Entrepreneurship Competition, Wharton Global High School Investment Competition, and JA Social Innovation Challenge are all free, combining competition with genuine networking opportunities.
3. Which events require membership in a specific organization first?
Future Business Leaders of America requires FBLA membership, and the JA Social Innovation Challenge requires completing an eligible Junior Achievement entrepreneurship program before you can participate.