(YFL) 15 University Entrepreneurship Summer Camps for High School Students
Explore 15 university summer camps designed for high school students eager to dive into entrepreneurship. Unleash your potential and network with peers!
If business is something you want to study or build a career in, starting with a university entrepreneurship camp during high school can give you a head start. Without stepping away from your regular school year, you can understand how startups grow and develop skills like product design, teamwork, and pitching.
University-run entrepreneurship camps give you short, focused training in business. Most last a few weeks and cover things like startup planning or research. You might use campus labs, meet business faculty, and visit startup spaces. These camps are typically lighter on cost and time than full programs.
How These Camps Are Different from Regular Business Programs
Most full business programs for high school students run for months, cost more, and include a broad curriculum with theory, exams, and sometimes college credit. The university entrepreneurship camps in this list work differently. They’re short, usually one to three weeks, and stick to specific topics like building a startup pitch, designing a product, or doing customer research. You don’t sit in lectures all day. You work in teams, build business plans, and get feedback from faculty and startup mentors.
These camps are easier to manage alongside a busy schedule. You can attend one during the summer without missing your schoolwork. The cost is lower than full-length academic programs, and many don’t need long applications or recommendation letters. For most students, it’s a convenient way to explore business without the pressure of a full course.
With that, here are 15 university entrepreneurship summer camps for high school students!
15 University Entrepreneurship Summer Camps for High School Students
Camp Business
Location: Drexel University LeBow College of Business, Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: $2,000 (Residential Blue & Gold), $950 (Commuter); $250 deposit required upon acceptance
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not published
Dates: July 13 – 18 (Residential Blue), July 20 – 25 (Commuter), July 27 – August 1 (Residential Gold)
Application Deadline: April 21
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Camp Business at Drexel University’s LeBow College of Business gives high school students a hands-on introduction to key areas like accounting, marketing, finance, and management. You’ll take college-style courses and build professional skills in leadership, communication, and strategic thinking. The program includes stock market simulations, financial document analysis, and team projects that connect classroom learning to real business practice. You can choose to stay overnight in Drexel’s residence halls or commute daily, depending on what works best for you.
McCombs Summer Business Programs
Location: University of Texas, Austin, TX
Cost/Stipend: Free; all tuition, housing, and meals covered by program sponsors
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; small cohorts across three academies
Dates: June 1 - June 6 (MFEA), June 8 - June 12 (Subiendo), June 22 - June 27 (DYNAMC)
Application Deadline: Subiendo: January 31; MFEA & DYNAMC: March 1
Eligibility: Open to current high school sophomores and juniors (only Texas juniors eligible for Subiendo)
The McCombs School of Business at UT Austin offers three free summer programs for high school students interested in business and leadership. Each program lasts six days and includes living on campus, attending workshops with McCombs faculty, and networking with professionals.
The McCombs Future Executive Academy (MFEA) covers broad business topics through hands-on case competitions. Subiendo: The Academy for Rising Leaders focuses on leadership and policy challenges, designed for Texas juniors. Discover Yourself In Accounting Majors and Careers (DYNAMC) introduces students to accounting careers, with support from Ernst & Young.
Business Opportunities Summer Session (BOSS)
Location: Penn State campus, University Park, PA
Cost/Stipend: $250 program fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 15 – June 27
Application Deadline: Decisions released mid-April; applications typically close in early spring
Eligibility: Open to high school juniors residing in the U.S. or Puerto Rico
The Business Opportunities Summer Session (BOSS) at Penn State is a two-week residential program for high school juniors that introduces you to business and college life. Hosted by the Smeal College of Business, the program includes college prep sessions and business courses taught by Penn State faculty. You’ll live in dorms, eat on campus, and connect with other students who are interested in business. Each day combines classroom learning with workshops, guest talks, and activities that help you build analytical and communication skills.
Entrepreneurship Summer Academy
Location: University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Cost/Stipend: Varies; scholarships available to offset housing and camp fees
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort typically under 50 students
Dates: June 8 - June 13
Application Deadline: Opens each spring
Eligibility: Open to students in grades 8-12; no prior business experience required
The Entrepreneurship Summer Academy is a one-week residential camp for Arizona high school students, hosted by the University of Arizona’s Freedom Center and McGuire Center for Entrepreneurship. You’ll learn the basics of business, ethics, and economic freedom through classroom sessions and visits to local businesses and the Arizona State Capitol.
Working in teams, you’ll use Intuit’s “Design for Delight” framework to develop original business ideas. University students will mentor you throughout the week, and you’ll hear directly from Arizona entrepreneurs and policymakers. The camp ends with a “Shark Tank”-style pitch competition where you present your business plan and compete for awards.
Entrepreneurship Academy
Location: Tufts University, Medford, MA
Cost/Stipend: $5,950 residential (includes housing and meals); $4,145 commuter
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort details not published
Dates: Two weeks (exact dates vary by summer session)
Application Deadline: Early Bird: January 31 (application fee waived); Final: April 15
Eligibility: Current 10–12 graders in good academic standing (2.0+ GPA); must be at least 15 years old by check-in.
The Entrepreneurship Academy at Tufts is a two-week summer program that helps high school students learn how to launch and manage a business. You’ll explore topics like prototype testing, market research, social innovation, and global business, while learning how startups work day to day. The program combines theory with hands-on learning. You’ll use design thinking, brainstorm ideas, and build a business plan before teaming up for a final pitch competition. Along the way, you’ll hear from entrepreneurs in different industries who share what it takes to start and grow a business.
Entrepreneurship Summer Camp - North Carolina Central University
Location: North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC
Cost/Stipend: Free; meals included
Dates: June 7– June 18
Application Deadline: April 1 (tentative, based on previous year dates)
Eligibility: Open to rising 10th–12th graders
The Entrepreneurship Summer Camp at North Carolina Central University’s School of Business is a free, weeklong program that helps high school students build real entrepreneurial skills. You’ll create a business idea, design a brand, manage finances, and pitch your concept to professionals.
Led by NCCU faculty and guest entrepreneurs, the camp includes interactive workshops, networking with peers, and conversations with successful business owners who share practical advice. You’ll sharpen your creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking throughout the week. The program ends with a pitch competition where you present your business idea.
On-Campus Summer Business Academies
Location: Harvard Student Agencies, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: $1,800; early bird discounts and need-based financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Cohort sizes vary; highly accessible with strong financial support
Dates: Multiple one-week sessions: June 9 - June 13, June 23 - June 27, July 14 - July 18, July 28 - August 1 (Entrepreneurship); June 16 - June 20, July 21 - July 25, August 4 - August 8 (Management & Strategy)
Application Deadline: Rolling; early application recommended for aid
Eligibility: Open to high school students entering grades 9-12
Harvard Student Agencies offers one-week, on-campus Summer Business Academies for high school students. You can choose between two tracks: Entrepreneurship or Management and Strategy. In the Entrepreneurship Academy, you’ll develop a startup idea, do market and SWOT analyses, build a business plan, and pitch to a panel in a mock investor setting. In the Management and Strategy Academy, you’ll learn how consultants solve business problems by analyzing case studies, financial data, and operations. Both tracks are led by Harvard students who keep sessions practical and engaging.
Entrepreneurship Institute – Summer Immersion Program
Location: Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC
Cost/Stipend: $3,200 (covers tuition, housing, meals)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort details not published
Dates: June 15 – 20 or June 22 – 27
Application Deadline: Rolling until filled
Eligibility: Open to current 9th – 12th graders
The Entrepreneurship Institute at Wake Forest’s Summer Immersion Program is a weeklong overnight experience where high school students learn how to turn business ideas into real plans. You’ll study key topics like idea development, financial modeling, marketing, and how to think like an entrepreneur. With guidance from founders and industry experts, you’ll visit local startups, build a pitch deck, and test your ideas through prototyping. The week ends with a startup competition where you pitch your project and get feedback from professionals.
Business Academy for Youth (B-BAY)
Location: Berkeley, CA
Cost/Stipend: $6,292 (CA residents); $7,332 (out-of-state); limited need-based scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 50 students per session
Dates: July 5 – July 19 or July 19 – August 2
Application Deadline: March 1; rolling admissions until full
Eligibility: Open to high school students globally
UC Berkeley’s Business Academy for Youth (B-BAY) is a two-week summer program where high school students from around the world learn how to turn ideas into full business plans. You’ll study with Berkeley Haas professors and guest speakers who share real-world business experience. Working in teams, you’ll do market research, build business models, and create detailed plans. The program ends with a final pitch to your peers and faculty. You’ll also tour campus, meet current students, and talk with UC admissions advisors to get a feel for college life.
Exploring Entrepreneurship
Location: Fordham University Gabelli School of Business, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: $1,800
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohort to ensure hands-on attention
Dates: June 23 – June 27
Application Deadline: Rolling until filled
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
Fordham University’s Exploring Entrepreneurship program at the Gabelli School of Business is a one-week experience for high school juniors and seniors who want to learn how startups are built. Each day focuses on developing a new venture through workshops, customer research, and team collaboration. You’ll learn how to use business-model canvases, create minimum viable products, and explore funding options like bootstrapping and venture capital. The program includes visits to a startup incubator and daily roundtables on topics like marketing, pivoting, and team dynamics, all led by Fordham’s entrepreneurs-in-residence and guest experts.
Accelerated Business Program
Location: University of Georgia Terry College of Business, Athens, GA (UGA campus) and online option
Cost/Stipend: $295 for Athens residential program; $25 for online program; limited need-based scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; small cohorts to maintain quality interaction
Dates: June 8–11 (Athens), July 10–11 (online)
Application Deadline: March 23 (Athens); June 2 (online)
Eligibility: Open to rising high school juniors and seniors, plus seniors entering UGA this fall
UGA’s Accelerated Business Program gives high school students a chance to explore business careers and experience college life. Held on the Athens campus, the residential program includes staying in UGA dorms, eating at campus dining halls, and learning from Terry College faculty. You’ll attend lectures, meet executives from companies like PwC and Google, and connect with students from across Georgia and beyond. Evening activities include pool parties and tours of downtown Athens. The online version offers a shorter two-day experience with talks from industry leaders and interactive sessions with UGA students.
Summer Business Camp
Location: Rutgers Business School, Livingston Campus, Piscataway, NJ
Cost/Stipend: $2,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely popular; sessions typically sell out by January
Dates: July 6-12, July 13-19, and July 20-26
Application Deadline: Rolling starting January 2; early registration essential due to high demand
Eligibility: Open to high school students (specific grade levels not explicitly restricted)
The Rutgers Business School Summer Business Camp is a weeklong residential program that introduces high school students to key areas like marketing, management, accounting, finance, and supply chain. You’ll learn through workshops led by Rutgers faculty and take part in hands-on activities that bring business concepts to life. You’ll visit local companies, work in teams to develop a business plan, and present your ideas in a final competition. Staying in campus apartments and dining at university facilities gives you a real feel for college life.
Business Leadership Program (BLP)
Location: University of Colorado Boulder Leeds School of Business, Boulder, CO
Cost/Stipend: Free; tuition and program costs covered by Leeds and corporate partners
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; spots fill completely each year
Dates: June 22 – June 28
Application Deadline: March 30; recommendation form due April 4; notifications by April 25
Eligibility: Open to high school students (priority typically given to rising juniors and seniors interested in business and leadership)
The Business Leadership Program (BLP) at the University of Colorado Boulder is a tuition-free, weeklong experience where high school students take on real business challenges. You’ll work in teams to create and pitch a marketing campaign for actual corporate partners, with a chance to win a $1,000 scholarship to the Leeds School of Business. The program includes hands-on case studies and networking with executives from companies like KeyBank, EY, and top consulting firms. You’ll stay on campus, get a taste of college life, and build leadership and teamwork skills in a supportive, high-energy environment.
High School Summer Enrichment Programs
Location: Howard University School of Business, Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: Free; all program costs covered by the university
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: July 13 – July 18
Application Deadline: Early: March 1; Regular: April 1; rolling review until filled
Eligibility: Open to high school students entering 11th and 12th grade with strong academic records and recommendations
Howard University’s Summer Enrichment Program is a weeklong experience for rising juniors and seniors that lets you dive into one of four business tracks: Accounting, Information Systems, Actuarial Science, or Entrepreneurship. You’ll learn from Howard faculty and industry professionals through classes, company visits, and team projects focused on real-world business challenges. Staying on campus gives you a firsthand look at college life while building skills in leadership, teamwork, and critical thinking.
Bonus
Young Founders Lab
Cost: The total cost to attend the 4-week program is $2900. There is need-based financial aid.
Location: This program is 100% virtual, with live, interactive workshops
Program 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: The program is currently open to all high school students
The Young Founders Lab is a four-week online startup program created by Harvard entrepreneurs. It helps high school students build a real business that solves a real-world problem and has the potential to earn revenue. You’ll learn how to develop your idea, test your product, and pitch your business. The program includes live classes on business basics, hands-on workshops, and sessions with professionals from companies like Google and Microsoft. You’ll also get one-on-one mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs who help you improve your product and strategy.