10 Business Summer Programs for High School Students
10 Business Summer Programs for High School Students
Written by
Written by
George Gatsios, Founder of Delta Institute
George Gatsios, Founder of Delta Institute
Created on
Created on
Mar 3, 2026
Mar 3, 2026
If you’re a high school student interested in entrepreneurship, finance, or leadership, summer is the perfect time to explore your interests beyond the classroom. Business summer programs for high school students allow you to experience what it’s like to analyze real companies, build startups, pitch ideas, and learn directly from industry professionals and university faculty.
Whether you want a virtual experience, a residential college program, or hands-on startup mentorship, there are options for you. Keep reading to discover 10 business summer programs for high school students.
The Leadership in the Business World summer program introduces students to core business disciplines, including management theories, corporate strategies, collaboration, and how to develop an analytical report. Through lectures, group work, and case studies, you’ll explore how companies make decisions and respond to market challenges.
At the end of the three weeks, you’ll participate in a capstone case competition, giving you the chance to solve a real-world business challenge using the skills and knowledge you’ve developed. This immersive program also offers plenty of extracurricular activities to choose from, along with opportunities to attend the Wharton Global Youth Speaker Series and experience campus life in Philadelphia.
Cost: $11,899
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Application Deadline: March 18
Program Dates: Three dates to choose from:
June 7 to June 27
June 28 to July 18
July 19 to August 8
Eligibility: Current grade 11 students with a GPA of at least 3.5
Delta Institute’s Delve Work-Experience Program is designed for students who want hands-on exposure to a real industry setting. Over 4 to 5 weeks, you’ll collaborate with global companies like UN Pathways, Financial Times, Ferrari, AWS, Adobe, and more. It’s a fully virtual program open to high school students around the world with technical workshops, networking events, professional development sessions, and unlimited office hours.
At the end of the program, you’ll present your team’s final project directly to company representatives, gaining valuable feedback and practical presentation experience. You’ll also receive a completion certificate as well as a letter of recommendation from the company.
Cost: $4,900
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the company (you can check all upcoming deadlines here)
Program Dates: Varies depending on the company (you can check all upcoming deadlines here)
Eligibility: Open to high school students globally
LaunchX’s Online Flagship Entrepreneurship Program is a 5-week, full-time summer program for students who not only want to learn about startups but build one themselves. You’ll collaborate with high school students from around the world and learn from industry professionals with valuable startup experience. Throughout the program, you’ll work as a team to identify a real-world problem you want to solve with your business, refine your ideas through regular feedback, and present your startup on Demo Day.
Past students have gone on to launch successful businesses, take the stage at TEDx events, and even earn recognition from Forbes for their innovation and impact. If you want to join a global community of young entrepreneurs and turn your ideas into a real startup, this program is your chance to make it happen.
Cost: $6,495
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: March 4
Program Dates: July 13 to August 14
Eligibility: High school students ages 14 to 18
The Delta Founders Academy program is a great fit for students interested in starting their own businesses. In this 8-week pre-incubator program, you’ll learn how to identify real-world problems, validate your idea through customer interviews, build a product prototype, and pitch your startup to real investors. You’ll work in diverse teams with high school students from around the world and receive guidance from experienced mentors who have launched and scaled successful businesses.
The top 2 teams will present their idea at Icehouse Ventures Incubator, a venture-building program that supports early-stage startups with mentorship, resources and investor exposure. By the end of the program, you’ll walk away with a refined startup concept and a professional pitch deck.
Cost: $5,500
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: March 29
Program Dates: June 20
Eligibility: High school students globally
Babson College’s 3-week summer program is an immersive entrepreneurship program designed to teach students what it’s like to think, act, and innovate like an entrepreneur. Available both on campus and online, this program equips students with practical skills and knowledge across key business disciplines, like leadership, entrepreneurship, marketing, and finance.
Throughout the program, you’ll engage in daily lectures and mentorship sessions with Babson faculty and experienced entrepreneurs. Working closely with peers from around the world, you’ll collaborate on team projects, brainstorm creative solutions to real-world problems, develop business models, and craft compelling pitches. By the end of the program, you’ll have enough practical experience to pursue your own innovative ideas and receive 4 credits from Babson College.
Cost: $6,295 (virtual), $9,295 (day student), $12,995 (residential student)
Location: Virtual or in-person at the New England Innovation Academy in Wellesley, Massachusetts
Application Deadline: March 13
Program Dates: July 8 to 18
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are 15 or older by the program start date
Stanford’s Pre-Collegiate Summer Institute isn’t a typical summer program. It’s an immersive academic experience designed for high school students who want to explore college-level courses at one of the top universities in the world. With 75 courses to choose from, you can dive into business topics like innovation and entrepreneurship, product design, and principles of macroeconomics.
Through interactive virtual lectures, small-group discussions, and hands-on projects, you’ll develop the skills to think critically, solve complex problems, and approach challenges like a Stanford student. The program also emphasizes real-world applications, building lasting connections with peers from around the globe, and developing the skills needed to succeed in higher education.
Cost: $3,200
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: March 13
Program Dates:
Session 1: June 15 to June 26
Session 2: July 6 to July 17
Eligibility: Students currently in grades 8 to 11 who will be older than 13 and younger than 19 during the program
Another top university summer experience is Harvard’s Pre-College Summer School Program, offering high school students an introduction to college-level academics at an Ivy League university. During each 2-week session, you can choose 1 course from 30 options, with business-focused subjects like economics, speaking with passion, and business management. Classes are small with only 12 to 18 students and highly interactive, giving you the chance to debate, present research, and tackle complex problems under the guidance of Harvard-affiliated instructors.
Beyond academics, Harvard’s summer program introduces you to college life with creative and social activities and opportunities to meet peers from around the world. By the end of the session, you’ll receive a written evaluation and a Harvard transcript that can supplement your college application.
Cost: $6,100 + $75 application fee
Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
Application Deadline: April 1
Program Dates:
June 21 to July 2
July 5 to July 17
July 19 to July 31
Eligibility: High school students between the ages of 16 and 19 during the program who are graduating and entering college in 2027 or 2028
Kickstart your college journey in the nation’s capital with Georgetown University’s Business & Leadership Academy, a three-week program for high school students who want an immersive introduction to business. The program combines lectures, workshops, hands-on simulations, group discussions, and off-site visits to help students develop practical business skills and critical thinking. You’ll explore essential topics such as decision-making, strategy, investing and finance, ethics and law, and AI applications in business.
Classes are small and interactive, allowing you to debate, present research, and tackle real-world challenges under the guidance of Georgetown faculty and local business experts. At the end, you’ll participate in a hands-on Capstone project, where you’ll collaborate with your peers to build, run, and pitch a startup.
Cost: $9,085 (residential tuition) or $7,085 (commuter tuition)
Location: Washington, D.C.
Application Deadline: April 15
Program Dates: July 19 to August 7
Eligibility: Be in 8th to 12th grade during the academic year prior to the summer program with at least a 2.0 GPA
Columbia University’s NYC Residential Summer program offers high school students an immersive introduction to college-level courses, with many business-focused options. You’ll live on Columbia’s Morningside Campus and experience a blend of rigorous academics and vibrant campus life in New York City. Explore business subjects like Becoming an Entrepreneur, Introduction to Business, Finance, and Economics, or Empowering Change: An Introduction to Social Entrepreneurship.
Spend four hours in class each weekday, participating in hands-on projects, research presentations, and discussions that challenge you to think critically and creatively. Beyond the classroom, you can participate in college prep workshops, community-building activities, and city excursions. At the end of the 3- to 6-week program, you’ll receive a Columbia University Certificate of Participation to enhance your college application.
Cost: $12,837 per session
Location: Virtual or in New York City, New York
Application Deadline: March 2
Program Dates:
Session A: June 29 to July 17
Session B: July 21 to August 7
Session AB: June 29 to August 7
Eligibility: Students who are 15 or older
Brown University’s Summer@Brown program gives high school students the freedom to explore college-level academics, including a wide range of business-focused courses. Choose from over 230 non-credit courses offered in 1-, 2-, or 3-week on-campus sessions, or a 5-week hybrid format. In the Business, Economics, and Legal Studies track, students can study topics like measuring business success and an introduction to startups, gaining practical insights into how businesses operate and grow.
Classes meet for three hours daily, with workshops, activities, and events available before and after class. The experience mirrors the expectations of a first-year college experience but without the pressure of formal grades, so you can focus purely on learning and exploring your passions.
Cost: $3,096 to $6,520
Location: Virtual or on campus in Providence, Rhode Island
Application Deadline: May 8
Program Dates: June 15 to July 24
Eligibility: High school students currently enrolled in grades 9 through 12
If you’re a high school student interested in entrepreneurship, finance, or leadership, summer is the perfect time to explore your interests beyond the classroom. Business summer programs for high school students allow you to experience what it’s like to analyze real companies, build startups, pitch ideas, and learn directly from industry professionals and university faculty.
Whether you want a virtual experience, a residential college program, or hands-on startup mentorship, there are options for you. Keep reading to discover 10 business summer programs for high school students.
The Leadership in the Business World summer program introduces students to core business disciplines, including management theories, corporate strategies, collaboration, and how to develop an analytical report. Through lectures, group work, and case studies, you’ll explore how companies make decisions and respond to market challenges.
At the end of the three weeks, you’ll participate in a capstone case competition, giving you the chance to solve a real-world business challenge using the skills and knowledge you’ve developed. This immersive program also offers plenty of extracurricular activities to choose from, along with opportunities to attend the Wharton Global Youth Speaker Series and experience campus life in Philadelphia.
Cost: $11,899
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Application Deadline: March 18
Program Dates: Three dates to choose from:
June 7 to June 27
June 28 to July 18
July 19 to August 8
Eligibility: Current grade 11 students with a GPA of at least 3.5
Delta Institute’s Delve Work-Experience Program is designed for students who want hands-on exposure to a real industry setting. Over 4 to 5 weeks, you’ll collaborate with global companies like UN Pathways, Financial Times, Ferrari, AWS, Adobe, and more. It’s a fully virtual program open to high school students around the world with technical workshops, networking events, professional development sessions, and unlimited office hours.
At the end of the program, you’ll present your team’s final project directly to company representatives, gaining valuable feedback and practical presentation experience. You’ll also receive a completion certificate as well as a letter of recommendation from the company.
Cost: $4,900
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the company (you can check all upcoming deadlines here)
Program Dates: Varies depending on the company (you can check all upcoming deadlines here)
Eligibility: Open to high school students globally
LaunchX’s Online Flagship Entrepreneurship Program is a 5-week, full-time summer program for students who not only want to learn about startups but build one themselves. You’ll collaborate with high school students from around the world and learn from industry professionals with valuable startup experience. Throughout the program, you’ll work as a team to identify a real-world problem you want to solve with your business, refine your ideas through regular feedback, and present your startup on Demo Day.
Past students have gone on to launch successful businesses, take the stage at TEDx events, and even earn recognition from Forbes for their innovation and impact. If you want to join a global community of young entrepreneurs and turn your ideas into a real startup, this program is your chance to make it happen.
Cost: $6,495
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: March 4
Program Dates: July 13 to August 14
Eligibility: High school students ages 14 to 18
The Delta Founders Academy program is a great fit for students interested in starting their own businesses. In this 8-week pre-incubator program, you’ll learn how to identify real-world problems, validate your idea through customer interviews, build a product prototype, and pitch your startup to real investors. You’ll work in diverse teams with high school students from around the world and receive guidance from experienced mentors who have launched and scaled successful businesses.
The top 2 teams will present their idea at Icehouse Ventures Incubator, a venture-building program that supports early-stage startups with mentorship, resources and investor exposure. By the end of the program, you’ll walk away with a refined startup concept and a professional pitch deck.
Cost: $5,500
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: March 29
Program Dates: June 20
Eligibility: High school students globally
Babson College’s 3-week summer program is an immersive entrepreneurship program designed to teach students what it’s like to think, act, and innovate like an entrepreneur. Available both on campus and online, this program equips students with practical skills and knowledge across key business disciplines, like leadership, entrepreneurship, marketing, and finance.
Throughout the program, you’ll engage in daily lectures and mentorship sessions with Babson faculty and experienced entrepreneurs. Working closely with peers from around the world, you’ll collaborate on team projects, brainstorm creative solutions to real-world problems, develop business models, and craft compelling pitches. By the end of the program, you’ll have enough practical experience to pursue your own innovative ideas and receive 4 credits from Babson College.
Cost: $6,295 (virtual), $9,295 (day student), $12,995 (residential student)
Location: Virtual or in-person at the New England Innovation Academy in Wellesley, Massachusetts
Application Deadline: March 13
Program Dates: July 8 to 18
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are 15 or older by the program start date
Stanford’s Pre-Collegiate Summer Institute isn’t a typical summer program. It’s an immersive academic experience designed for high school students who want to explore college-level courses at one of the top universities in the world. With 75 courses to choose from, you can dive into business topics like innovation and entrepreneurship, product design, and principles of macroeconomics.
Through interactive virtual lectures, small-group discussions, and hands-on projects, you’ll develop the skills to think critically, solve complex problems, and approach challenges like a Stanford student. The program also emphasizes real-world applications, building lasting connections with peers from around the globe, and developing the skills needed to succeed in higher education.
Cost: $3,200
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: March 13
Program Dates:
Session 1: June 15 to June 26
Session 2: July 6 to July 17
Eligibility: Students currently in grades 8 to 11 who will be older than 13 and younger than 19 during the program
Another top university summer experience is Harvard’s Pre-College Summer School Program, offering high school students an introduction to college-level academics at an Ivy League university. During each 2-week session, you can choose 1 course from 30 options, with business-focused subjects like economics, speaking with passion, and business management. Classes are small with only 12 to 18 students and highly interactive, giving you the chance to debate, present research, and tackle complex problems under the guidance of Harvard-affiliated instructors.
Beyond academics, Harvard’s summer program introduces you to college life with creative and social activities and opportunities to meet peers from around the world. By the end of the session, you’ll receive a written evaluation and a Harvard transcript that can supplement your college application.
Cost: $6,100 + $75 application fee
Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
Application Deadline: April 1
Program Dates:
June 21 to July 2
July 5 to July 17
July 19 to July 31
Eligibility: High school students between the ages of 16 and 19 during the program who are graduating and entering college in 2027 or 2028
Kickstart your college journey in the nation’s capital with Georgetown University’s Business & Leadership Academy, a three-week program for high school students who want an immersive introduction to business. The program combines lectures, workshops, hands-on simulations, group discussions, and off-site visits to help students develop practical business skills and critical thinking. You’ll explore essential topics such as decision-making, strategy, investing and finance, ethics and law, and AI applications in business.
Classes are small and interactive, allowing you to debate, present research, and tackle real-world challenges under the guidance of Georgetown faculty and local business experts. At the end, you’ll participate in a hands-on Capstone project, where you’ll collaborate with your peers to build, run, and pitch a startup.
Cost: $9,085 (residential tuition) or $7,085 (commuter tuition)
Location: Washington, D.C.
Application Deadline: April 15
Program Dates: July 19 to August 7
Eligibility: Be in 8th to 12th grade during the academic year prior to the summer program with at least a 2.0 GPA
Columbia University’s NYC Residential Summer program offers high school students an immersive introduction to college-level courses, with many business-focused options. You’ll live on Columbia’s Morningside Campus and experience a blend of rigorous academics and vibrant campus life in New York City. Explore business subjects like Becoming an Entrepreneur, Introduction to Business, Finance, and Economics, or Empowering Change: An Introduction to Social Entrepreneurship.
Spend four hours in class each weekday, participating in hands-on projects, research presentations, and discussions that challenge you to think critically and creatively. Beyond the classroom, you can participate in college prep workshops, community-building activities, and city excursions. At the end of the 3- to 6-week program, you’ll receive a Columbia University Certificate of Participation to enhance your college application.
Cost: $12,837 per session
Location: Virtual or in New York City, New York
Application Deadline: March 2
Program Dates:
Session A: June 29 to July 17
Session B: July 21 to August 7
Session AB: June 29 to August 7
Eligibility: Students who are 15 or older
Brown University’s Summer@Brown program gives high school students the freedom to explore college-level academics, including a wide range of business-focused courses. Choose from over 230 non-credit courses offered in 1-, 2-, or 3-week on-campus sessions, or a 5-week hybrid format. In the Business, Economics, and Legal Studies track, students can study topics like measuring business success and an introduction to startups, gaining practical insights into how businesses operate and grow.
Classes meet for three hours daily, with workshops, activities, and events available before and after class. The experience mirrors the expectations of a first-year college experience but without the pressure of formal grades, so you can focus purely on learning and exploring your passions.
Cost: $3,096 to $6,520
Location: Virtual or on campus in Providence, Rhode Island
Application Deadline: May 8
Program Dates: June 15 to July 24
Eligibility: High school students currently enrolled in grades 9 through 12
About the Author
George Gatsios holds a BA and MA in Economics from the University of Cambridge and is the founder of Delta Institute. He leads the organisation’s global strategy, overseeing programme design, partnerships, operations, and product innovation across education, career development, and technology. His work centers on building scalable, hands-on learning experiences that connect students with real-world industry exposure and future-ready skills. Alongside his leadership at Delta Institute, George serves as a Research Assistant in Economics at the University of Cambridge and London Business School, contributing to research at the intersection of economic theory, empirical analysis, and policy. He is an active member of the International Baccalaureate Educator Network (IBEN) and a strong advocate for lifelong learning and internationally minded education.
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