13 Venture Capital Internships for High School Students in California
Breaking into venture capital can seem difficult when you are still in high school, but internships and early-career programs can provide a valuable introduction to how investors evaluate startups, emerging technologies, and market opportunities.
What venture capital internships are available for high school students in California?
California is home to some of the world's most active startup and investment communities, particularly in regions such as Silicon Valley, Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco. Students can find opportunities ranging from venture capital internships and startup scouting programs to entrepreneurship fellowships and innovation-focused research experiences.
Why pursue a venture capital internship in high school?
By participating in one of these programs, you can learn how investors assess business models, conduct market research, analyze industries, and identify promising startups. This exposure gives you a meaningful head start if you're considering finance, venture capital, or entrepreneurship as a future career path.
For related opportunities, check out our guides on entrepreneurship internships for high school students in Silicon Valley and business internships for high school students in California.
Quick Look
3 free programs: Venture Institute by VC Lab, the Emma Bowen Foundation Summer Internship, and Meta Summer Academy.
1 fully remote program open beyond California: Young Founders Lab, which pairs you with mentors as you build a real revenue-generating startup.
2 programs restricted to specific California regions: Meta Summer Academy (East Palo Alto, Belle Haven, or Redwood City) and Kaiser Permanente LAUNCH (Northern California only).
1 girls-only program: Superscout Junior Venture Capitalist Program, open to high school girls in grades 9-12.
Most programs on this list function as educational fellowships or startup placements rather than internships at traditional venture capital funds, since VC firms rarely hire high schoolers directly.
13 Venture Capital Internships for High School Students in California
1. Superscout Junior Venture Capitalist Program
Location: Virtual nationwide with optional in-person events in Los Angeles, California)
Cost: $800 (in-person track) | $100 (online track) | Need-based scholarships available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Approximately 35–40 students; recent acceptance rates around 40%
Program Dates: June – October
Application Deadline: Applications typically open April 1 and close May 31
Eligibility: High school girls in grades 9–12 across the United States
The Junior Venture Capitalist Program is part of the Women Founders Network’s Next Generation Investors initiative, designed to introduce high school students to the fundamentals of early-stage investing. Over four months, you participate in weekly virtual sessions covering topics such as market analysis, business models, competitive positioning, startup evaluation, and venture capital decision-making. The curriculum is supplemented by talks from venture capital professionals, founders, and entrepreneurs who share insights into the startup funding landscape. Throughout the program, you review real startup pitch materials from finalists in the Women Founders Network Fast Pitch competition and learn how investors assess potential investments. While structured as an educational fellowship rather than a traditional work internship, this program covers foundational topics relevant to early-stage investing.
2. Young Founders Lab
Location: 100% virtual, with live interactive workshops
Cost: Varies depending on program type; need-based financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Program Dates: 4-week program (summer cohort begins tentatively in June)
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
The Young Founders Lab is a real-world startup bootcamp founded and run by Harvard entrepreneurs. You will work towards building a revenue-generating startup that addresses a real-world problem, mentored by established entrepreneurs and professionals from Google, Microsoft, and X. Alongside building your startup, you'll participate in interactive classes on business fundamentals and ideation, workshops, skill-building sessions, case studies, and panel discussions. The program gives you a structured space to explore both theoretical and practical frameworks for building a successful business. You can check out the brochure here and access the application here.
3. Venture & Tech Summer Program (VTSP)
Location: Virtual
Cost: $4,750 tuition + $35 application fee; financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; exact acceptance rate not published
Program Dates: Session I: June 8 – July 17 | Session II: July 6 – August 14
Application Deadline: Varies by application round
Eligibility: High school students worldwide
The Venture & Tech Summer Program (VTSP) is a selective entrepreneurship and startup internship program that places high school students on project teams at venture-backed companies. During the six-week experience, you work directly with founders, executives, and startup teams on projects connected to real business challenges. Internship placements span industries such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, fintech, engineering, media, and social impact, allowing you to explore sectors aligned with your interests. Alongside the internship component, you attend workshops and seminars led by entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, and university faculty that cover innovation, technology, strategy, and venture capital. Instead of working directly at a venture fund, interns are placed at venture-backed startups, gaining exposure to the types of companies that secure early-stage investment.
4. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; cohort size not specified
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts offered throughout the year
Application Deadline: January (Spring), May (Summer), September (Fall), and November (Winter)
Eligibility: High school students, gap year students, and undergraduates who can commit 10–20 hours per week for 8–12 weeks
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students! In the program, 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. You can explore all the options here on their application form. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average raising over a million dollars. In the program, interns work closely with their managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present their work to the company. Here is the application form. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.
5. Wharton’s Innovation and Startup Culture Program
Location: San Francisco, CA
Cost: $8,959
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective admissions
Program Dates: July 5 – 17 | July 19 – 31
Application Deadline: Priority Deadline: January 28 | Final Deadline: March 18
Eligibility: High school students currently in grades 9–11; international students are eligible; no prior business experience required
The Wharton Innovation and Startup Culture Program introduces you to entrepreneurship through a combination of classroom instruction, startup-focused projects, and exposure to the San Francisco innovation ecosystem. During the program, you work in teams to develop original venture ideas while learning how entrepreneurs evaluate opportunities, validate markets, and design business models. The curriculum covers topics such as innovation strategy, venture creation, customer discovery, product-market fit, and social entrepreneurship. You also explore how artificial intelligence can support ideation, communication, and business development through practical exercises and case studies. While not a traditional internship, this program focuses on the analytical frameworks investors use to validate markets.
6. Draper University Hero Training
Location: Silicon Valley, CA
Cost: Not publicly specified
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Spring: April 20 – May 22 | Fall: October 5 – November 6
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Open to aspiring entrepreneurs; applicants may apply with or without an existing startup idea
Draper University’s Hero Training is a five-week entrepreneurship program that introduces you to the startup ecosystem through workshops, mentorship, and founder-focused challenges. The curriculum covers topics such as venture capital, fundraising, startup legal structures, prototyping, product development, negotiation, branding, and pitch creation. The experience combines online instruction with collaborative activities designed to help you apply entrepreneurial concepts to scenarios. Designed as a founder training camp rather than a standard internship, the curriculum addresses the practical mechanics of the Silicon Valley investment ecosystem. Networking is a major component of the program, with participants connecting with founders, investors, and fellow entrepreneurs through organized events and discussions. Alumni may also become eligible for consideration by Draper University’s investment fund, which supports selected companies founded by program graduates.
7. Venture Institute by VC Lab
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: February 3 – April 7
Application Deadline: December 15
Eligibility: Open to aspiring venture capital professionals; motivated high school students interested in venture capital may apply
The Venture Institute is a virtual training program focused on helping learners understand how venture capital firms operate and evaluate investment opportunities. Over nine weeks, you work through a structured curriculum covering topics such as startup funding, deal sourcing, due diligence, fund operations, and portfolio management. The program is led by venture capital practitioners and industry experts who provide insight into how investment decisions are made. You also attend speaker sessions featuring investors, fund managers, and startup ecosystem leaders who discuss current trends and challenges within the venture industry. A key component of the curriculum is understanding the ethical responsibilities associated with investing and supporting founders.
8. The Emma Bowen Foundation Summer Internship
Location: Multiple locations across the United States
Cost/Stipend: Free to participate; paid internship
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Summer internship period (typically May–June start dates; duration varies by placement)
Application Deadline: Early January
Eligibility: High school seniors and undergraduate college students
The Emma Bowen Foundation Summer Internship is a paid career development program that connects students with opportunities in media, entertainment, technology, and related industries. Through placement with partner organizations, you gain exposure to professional work environments while exploring potential career paths in areas such as journalism, engineering, marketing, software development, business operations, and digital media. Alongside the internship experience, you participate in professional development workshops focused on workplace readiness, communication, and career planning. The program also provides one-on-one mentorship and career coaching from industry professionals who can offer guidance throughout the internship. While focused on media and technology instead of direct investing, the internship offers professional experience in industries that frequently overlap with venture funding.
9. Meta Summer Academy
Location: Meta Headquarters, CA
Cost: Free; paid internship opportunity
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 15 – July 24
Application Deadline: February 14
Eligibility: Current 10th-grade students with a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA who are full-year residents of East Palo Alto, Belle Haven, or Redwood City
Meta Summer Academy is a career exploration and workforce development program that introduces high school students to the technology industry through a structured summer experience. During the program, you spend approximately 30 hours per week participating in workshops, professional development sessions, and project-based learning activities at Meta. The curriculum combines technical instruction with career-readiness training, helping you understand both the skills and the workplace expectations associated with technology careers. You also interact directly with Meta employees and executives who share insights into their roles, career paths, and day-to-day responsibilities.
10. Kaiser Permanente LAUNCH High School Internship
Location: Northern California (various Kaiser Permanente medical centers and offices)
Cost/Stipend: Free to participate; $24/hour stipend
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Eight-week summer internship
Application Deadline: January 9 (tentative)
Eligibility: High school students ages 16–19 who reside within a designated Northern California Kaiser Permanente service area and are legally authorized to work in the United States
The Kaiser Permanente LAUNCH High School Internship is a paid summer program that provides exposure to professional environments within one of the largest healthcare organizations in the United States. Over the course of eight weeks, you work alongside professionals in healthcare and administrative settings while learning about different career pathways within the industry. The internship combines workplace experience with structured workshops focused on professional development, leadership, and career readiness. In addition to day-to-day work responsibilities, the program incorporates networking sessions and community-focused projects. Because this program is rooted in healthcare administration, it provides practical exposure to the health-tech sector, which is a major focus area for venture capital.
11. Avivar Capital — Internship Program
Location: Remote (U.S.-based; headquarters in Los Angeles, CA)
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship with competitive compensation
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Typically a 12-week summer internship (June–August); spring and project-based opportunities may also be available
Application Deadline: Rolling; timelines vary by internship cycle
Eligibility: Primarily open to undergraduate and graduate students; exceptional high school applicants may be considered
Avivar Capital’s internship program provides exposure to impact investing and venture capital through a combination of research, analysis, and mentorship. As an intern, you may contribute to projects involving market research, deal sourcing, due diligence, and portfolio evaluation while learning how investment firms assess opportunities across different sectors. The program introduces you to concepts related to both financial returns and social impact. You get to engage with professionals across venture capital, philanthropy, and sustainable investing through guest speaker sessions and discussions. Depending on your responsibilities, you may help analyze industries, review company information, and support ongoing investment research. The internship includes opportunities to receive mentorship from investment professionals and learn about career pathways within finance and venture capital.
12. Berkeley Business Academy for Youth (B-BAY)
Location: University of California, Berkeley (residential programs) and online (Startup Launchpad)
Cost: Varies by program
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Varies by program and cohort
Application Deadline: Varies annually
Eligibility: High school students and gap-year students
The Berkeley Business Academy for Youth (B-BAY) is an entrepreneurship-focused program that introduces students to business creation, startup development, and innovation through a combination of academic instruction and project-based learning. Depending on the track you choose, you may participate in an intensive residential experience, a multi-month virtual startup accelerator, or a focused founder bootcamp designed for students with existing business ideas. Throughout the programs, you work with faculty, mentors, and peers to explore topics such as customer discovery, business model development, market validation, financial planning, and entrepreneurial leadership. Some tracks emphasize building a startup from the ground up, while others focus on refining and scaling an idea that already has traction. Operating as a university-based accelerator, this academy teaches financial models and metrics for assessing early-stage companies.
13. Warner Bros Reach Honorship Program — Business Track
Location: Warner Bros. Discovery Studios, Burbank, CA
Stipend: $5,000 college scholarship awarded in installments over four years
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Varies annually
Application Deadline: Typically February (exact date varies by year)
Eligibility: High school seniors residing in Burbank or Los Angeles County with a minimum 3.0 GPA who plan to attend an accredited college or university
The Warner Bros. Reach Honorship Program, Business Track, is a college transition opportunity that introduces students to the business operations of a major entertainment company. Selected students receive a scholarship and the opportunity to complete paid internship experiences at Warner Bros. Discovery during their college years. Internship placements may be offered in departments such as marketing, finance, communications, business operations, and corporate strategy, allowing you to explore different career paths within the media industry. You are also paired with mentors who guide you on academic planning, professional development, and career exploration.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are there free venture capital-adjacent programs for high schoolers in California?
Yes. The Venture Institute by VC Lab is a free nine-week virtual training program covering deal sourcing and fund operations, and the Emma Bowen Foundation Summer Internship is a free, paid internship in media and technology.
2. Are any of these programs open to students outside California?
Young Founders Lab is fully virtual and open to all high school students nationwide, not just California residents. It pairs you with mentors from Google, Microsoft, and X as you build a real startup, giving you hands-on exposure to the kind of company venture capitalists actually invest in.
3. Which program is restricted to a specific gender or region?
The Superscout Junior Venture Capitalist Program is open only to high school girls in grades 9-12, while Meta Summer Academy and Kaiser Permanente LAUNCH are limited to specific Northern California regions.