15 Virtual Entrepreneurship Programs for Middle School Students
If you are interested in starting a business, solving problems, or turning ideas into real projects, participating in virtual entrepreneurship programs for middle school students can help you explore entrepreneurship early.
What do virtual entrepreneurship programs for middle schoolers involve?
Many virtual entrepreneurship programs for middle school students introduce topics such as design thinking, business planning, innovation, leadership, and financial literacy. Through hands-on projects, you can apply concepts you learn in school to real situations and gain insight into possible future careers.
Why pursue a virtual entrepreneurship program in middle school?
Participating in entrepreneurship programs can also strengthen your college preparation by demonstrating initiative, leadership, and intellectual curiosity. Many programs provide opportunities to connect with mentors, entrepreneurs, university faculty, and fellow participants from different locations.
To help you get started, here are 15 virtual entrepreneurship programs for middle school students. For related opportunities, check out our guides on business programs for middle school students and business ideas for middle school students.
Quick Look
1 free-adjacent, entrepreneurship-focused option for high schoolers ahead: Young Founders Lab, which pairs older students with mentors from Google, Microsoft, and X as they build a real revenue-generating startup, a natural next step once you outgrow middle school programs.
6 programs under $600: VentureLab's Entrepreneurship 101 ($50), Moolah U ($475), the JA Company Program Pop-Up (cost varies by chapter), and several $17-25 weekly Outschool-style classes.
1 semester-long, school-based program: Project ECHO's Middle School CEO Program, delivered through participating schools rather than as a standalone course.
2 fintech and finance-specific courses: Johns Hopkins CTY's Economic Chaos course and Rice University's Fintech course, the latter aimed at slightly older students.
Most programs run self-paced or in short one to eight-week formats, making it easy to fit one in around a regular school schedule.
15 Virtual Entrepreneurship Programs for Middle School Students
1. NFTE Enterprise Program: Next-Level Startup
Location: Online (self-paced with live instructor check-ins)
Cost: $595
Cohort Size: Selective cohort; exact acceptance rate and cohort size not publicly available
Dates: 90-day program; multiple cohorts offered throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Students ages 13–17 (recommended for independent learners, including homeschoolers)
The NFTE Next-Level Startup program is a 90-day online entrepreneurship course that helps you build and launch a business using artificial intelligence tools. Throughout the program, you learn practical skills such as prompt engineering, customer acquisition, branding, business pitching, and AI ethics. The course guides you through developing a real business idea and creating business assets that can support an actual venture. The flexible format combines self-paced learning with weekly instructor check-ins and opportunities for peer collaboration. You also receive guidance from experienced educators, including live coaching sessions with experts in educational technology and entrepreneurship.
2. Young Founders Lab
Location: 100% virtual, with live interactive workshops
Cost: Varies depending on program type (need-based financial aid available)
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: 4-week program starting June 5th tentatively
Application Deadline: Early Decision: March | Regular Admission 1: April | Regular Admission 2: May
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. Prequel Explore Program
Location: Online (virtual live workshops)
Cost: $2,975 for the 8-month program or $425 per month
Cohort Size: Not publicly available
Dates: Eight-month program with multiple start dates throughout the year
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Middle and high school students interested in entrepreneurship, leadership, communication, and project-based learning
The Prequel Explore Program is an online enrichment program that helps you develop entrepreneurial, leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills through hands-on projects. Over eight months, you complete real-world challenges such as launching a small business, conducting informational interviews, building a digital product, and participating in collaborative simulations. Weekly 90-minute workshops emphasize practical learning through business, technology, teamwork, and creative projects rather than traditional lectures. You also receive feedback from instructors and mentors with experience in startups, business, and education.
4. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote — work from anywhere in the world
Cost: Starting at $2,490 (financial aid available)
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), Winter (November)
Eligibility: Students who can work 10–20 hours/week for 8–12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Ladder Internships is a selective startup internship program for ambitious students. You'll work with a high-growth startup on real projects across industries including tech, AI/ML, health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. Ladder's startups are high-growth companies on average raising over a million dollars — past founders include YCombinator alums and former employees of Microsoft, Google, and Facebook. You'll work closely with your manager and a Ladder Coach and present your work to the company at the end of the internship. You can apply here.
5. Junior Achievement Company Program® Pop-Up
Location: Classroom-based, virtual, or after-school programs through local Junior Achievement chapters across the United States
Cost: Program costs vary by local chapter and school partnerships
Cohort Size: Not publicly available
Dates: Flexible scheduling throughout the academic year
Application Deadline: Varies by local Junior Achievement chapter
Eligibility: Middle school students
The JA Company Program® Pop-Up is an entrepreneurship program that gives school students the opportunity to create and operate a temporary business venture within a guided classroom setting. During the program, students work in teams to develop a product or service, assign business roles, and make decisions related to marketing, operations, and sales. The curriculum introduces concepts such as goal setting, entrepreneurial thinking, and the Four P’s of marketing: product, price, place, and promotion. The program consists of seven instructional sessions and can be delivered in person, virtually, or as an after-school experience.
6. Johns Hopkins CTY: Social Entrepreneurship: From Idea to Impact
Location: Online
Cost: $1,420 tuition; additional $55 CTY membership fee and $15–$20 online registration fee may apply
Cohort Size: Not publicly available
Dates: September 8 – October 13
Application Deadline: August 11
Eligibility: Students in grades 7–9 who meet CTY identification requirements through qualifying quantitative or verbal test scores
Social Entrepreneurship: From Idea to Impact is an online course that introduces students to the principles of social entrepreneurship and mission-driven ventures. Throughout the six-week program, students examine social, environmental, and civic challenges and explore how entrepreneurial approaches can address them. The course covers business planning, market research, collaboration, communication, and creative problem-solving. Students develop either a nonprofit or socially responsible business concept and refine their ideas through discussions and project work. The program concludes with a professional pitch presentation that allows students to communicate their proposed solution to real-world problems. Classes meet once a week for 90 minutes in a live online format.
7. Moolah U: From Idea to Income – Kid Business Accelerator
Location: Online (live virtual sessions)
Cost: $475 tuition; no stipend provided
Cohort Size: Approximately 10 students per session
Dates: One-week sessions offered between June and August
Application Deadline: Rolling enrollment until sessions are filled
Eligibility: Students ages 13 – 16 (program serves ages 8–16; suitable for younger high school students)
The Kid Business Accelerator is a one-week online entrepreneurship program that introduces students to the process of creating and launching a business idea. Participants explore problem-solving, market research, and business planning while developing their own venture concepts. The program includes three live online sessions each day, combined with independent work and mentor guidance between sessions. Students practice communication and presentation skills by pitching their ideas and receiving feedback from instructors and mentors. Topics such as financial literacy, decision-making, and entrepreneurial thinking are integrated throughout the experience.
8. World Scholars Academy: Discover Business Academy
Location: Online (live virtual classes)
Cost: Tuition not publicly listed; no stipend provided
Cohort Size: Maximum of 6 students per class
Dates: June 22 – July 3
Application Deadline: Varies by session; enrollment closes once classes are full
Eligibility: Students ages 12–14 (appropriate primarily for middle school students and younger high school students)
Discover Business Academy is a two-week online course that introduces students to foundational concepts in business, economics, finance, and entrepreneurship. The program consists of ten live classes that cover topics such as marketing, leadership, investing, competition, and business law. Students participate in discussions, complete assignments, and work on a final business start-up challenge. The course also includes study resources, class recordings, and a certificate of completion. Small class sizes allow students to interact closely with instructors and classmates during live sessions.
9. Project ECHO: Middle School CEO Program
Location: School-based implementation through participating schools and educational partners
Cost: Not publicly available; no stipend provided
Cohort Size: Not publicly available
Dates: Semester-long program offered during the academic year
Application Deadline: Varies by school or local program partner
Eligibility: Middle school students (primarily grades 6–8)
The Middle School CEO program is a semester-long entrepreneurship course that introduces students to business concepts through project-based learning. Participants work in teams to develop business ideas and explore areas such as market research, budgeting, marketing, and product development. The curriculum emphasizes collaboration, creativity, leadership, and problem-solving through hands-on activities and real-world projects. Students gain experience presenting ideas, working with peers, and applying entrepreneurial thinking to practical challenges.
10. Johns Hopkins CTY: Economic Chaos – Understanding Volatile Markets
Location: Online
Cost: $1,420 tuition; additional $55 CTY membership fee and $15–$20 online registration fee may apply
Cohort Size: Not publicly available
Dates: September 9 – October 14
Application Deadline: August 11
Eligibility: Students in grades 7–11 who meet CTY quantitative identification requirements
Economic Chaos: Understanding Volatile Markets is a six-week online course that examines major economic events and their effects on businesses, financial markets, and individuals. Students explore topics such as stock market crashes, inflation, monetary policy, investment strategies, and economic volatility through a mathematical and financial perspective. The course uses real-world examples, including recent global economic disruptions, to analyze how markets respond to changing conditions. Participants also study personal finance concepts, risk management, savings strategies, and investment diversification. Weekly live classes encourage discussion and analytical thinking while introducing students to economic and financial concepts.
11. VentureLab: Entrepreneurship 101 for Middle School
Location: Online (self-paced)
Cost: $50 per student; no stipend provided
Cohort Size: Open enrollment; no cohort size specified
Dates: Self-paced; students typically complete the course within 2–10 weeks
Application Deadline: Rolling enrollment
Eligibility: Middle school students; suitable for younger high school students seeking an introductory entrepreneurship course
Entrepreneurship 101 is a self-paced online course that introduces students to entrepreneurial thinking through interactive lessons and activities. The curriculum includes 10 instructional sections and approximately 30 activities covering topics such as idea generation, personal interests, problem-solving, and entrepreneurial mindset development. Students complete exercises, reflection activities, and journal entries to apply concepts to their own ideas and experiences. The course can be used in classrooms, homeschool settings, after-school programs, or independent learning environments. Students who complete the course gain exposure to foundational entrepreneurship concepts and practical idea-development skills.
12. Rice University Precollege: Entrepreneurship – From Ideas to Impact in Fintech
Location: Online
Cost: $1,795 tuition; need-based scholarships available; no stipend provided
Cohort Size: Not publicly available
Dates: Multiple two-week and four-week sessions offered throughout the year (e.g., June 28–July 12, June 28–July 26, and July 5–July 19)
Application Deadline: Varies by session; for summer sessions, deadlines range from June 21–28
Eligibility: Students ages 13 and older
Entrepreneurship: From Ideas to Impact in Fintech is an online pre-college course that introduces high school students to entrepreneurship within the financial technology industry. Students examine how innovations such as digital payments, online lending, cryptocurrencies, blockchain, and financial data technologies have transformed financial services. The curriculum includes case studies of companies such as PayPal, Venmo, Apple Pay, and Robinhood to explore business models and market disruption. Participants complete a capstone project in which they develop a business plan for a fintech product, service, or startup idea. The program also provides mentor support, multimedia lessons, and flexible online coursework that can be completed over two or four weeks. Students who complete the course receive a certificate of completion from Rice University and gain exposure to careers in entrepreneurship, finance, and technology.
13. Outschool: Start Your Business – Entrepreneurial Skills
Location: Online (live virtual classes)
Cost: $17 per class
Cohort Size: 3–8 students per class
Dates: Ongoing weekly sessions offered year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling enrollment based on seat availability
Eligibility: Students ages 11–14 (appropriate for middle school students and younger high school students)
Start Your Business – Entrepreneurial Skills is an ongoing online class that introduces students to basic entrepreneurship concepts through weekly activities and discussions. Participants are challenged to grow a small amount of money by developing and testing their own business ideas. Weekly topics include entrepreneurship, financial management, e-commerce, business communication, innovation, sustainability, and problem-solving. Students receive feedback from instructors and peers while working on their projects and refining their ideas. Because students can join at any time, the course offers flexibility for learners who want introductory experience with entrepreneurship and business concepts.
14. All About Money: Business Skills for Young Entrepreneurs
Location: Online
Cost: $17 per class; no stipend provided
Cohort Size: 1–6 students per class
Dates: Ongoing weekly classes throughout the year
Application Deadline: Rolling enrollment; students can join at any time
Eligibility: Students ages 11–14 (appropriate for younger high school students entering grades 9–10)
This live online course introduces students to financial literacy and basic business concepts through weekly lessons and group discussions. Topics include budgeting, saving, taxes, income, investing, credit, debt, and entrepreneurship. Each session focuses on a different financial concept while encouraging students to apply ideas to personal projects or business interests. Classes are conducted in small groups, allowing for interaction with instructors and peers.
15. Entrepreneurship for Kids & Teens: Real-World Business Skills (Weekly)
Location: Online
Cost: $25 per class; no stipend provided
Cohort Size: 1–5 students per class
Dates: Ongoing weekly sessions throughout the year; 21-week curriculum cycle
Application Deadline: Rolling enrollment; students may join at any time
Eligibility: Students ages 10–15 (suitable for younger high school students in grades 9–10)
This weekly online entrepreneurship course introduces students to the fundamentals of starting and managing a small business through live discussions and practical activities. Topics include business planning, marketing, branding, financial management, market research, intellectual property, leadership, logistics, and the use of artificial intelligence in business. Students can enter the course at any point, as each session focuses on a different topic while contributing to a broader entrepreneurship curriculum. Classes are kept intentionally small to allow for discussion and individualized feedback on student business ideas.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are there affordable virtual entrepreneurship programs for middle schoolers?
Yes. VentureLab's Entrepreneurship 101 costs just $50, and several Outschool-style weekly classes run $17 to $25 per session, making them some of the most accessible options on this list.
2. Is there a program that builds toward something more advanced once I reach high school?
Programs like NFTE's Next-Level Startup and the Prequel Explore Program build real entrepreneurial skills now, and Young Founders Lab is designed as a natural next step once you're in high school, pairing you with mentors from Google, Microsoft, and X as you build an actual revenue-generating startup.
3. Which program is best if I want to focus specifically on financial literacy rather than general business skills?
Johns Hopkins CTY's Economic Chaos: Understanding Volatile Markets course and the All About Money class both focus specifically on budgeting, investing, and financial decision-making rather than broader entrepreneurship concepts.