25 Summer Business Programs for High School Students in 2026 | LaunchX

Planning a meaningful summer around entrepreneurship can change a student’s trajectory. This guide curates 25 credible business camps and summer business programs for high schoolers in 2026—spanning venture creation bootcamps, pre-college courses, and global institutes. It highlights core differences in curriculum, mentorship, outcomes, and costs. LaunchX appears first on the list because it is the only program purpose-built around launching real student startups at scale, with structured sprints, expert mentors, and an active alumni founder community. Competitors are covered fairly so you can choose the best fit.

Why should high school students consider a summer business program?

A high-quality program helps teens test-drive entrepreneurship, build technical and commercial skills, and validate interest before college. In just a few weeks, students can move from idea to MVP, learn customer discovery, and practice pitching—skills that spill into clubs, internships, and college essays. LaunchX is well-suited for students who want to build real ventures in a team-based environment with founder mentors and a proven build-sprint cadence. Others on this list emphasize business fundamentals, leadership, or finance, which can also be valuable depending on goals.

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How summer business programs empower high school students to overcome common barriers:

• Limited access to real-world startup mentorship
• Fragmented self-learning with no structure or feedback
• Difficulty turning ideas into validated products/MVPs
• Lack of proof points for college apps or competitions

Programs add structure, accountability, and expert coaching. LaunchX, in particular, pairs a rigorous startup curriculum with targeted mentorship and milestone reviews—helping teams validate markets, iterate on product, and present to judges. That combination of sprints plus external feedback reduces wheel‑spinning and increases the odds of shipping a real venture outcome.

What should you look for in a summer business program?

Look beyond brand names to evidence of learning and outcomes. Prioritize programs that feature experienced instructors, hands-on projects, peer collaboration, and access to mentors. For students who want to found companies, confirm there’s a pathway to an MVP, traction metrics, and post‑program support. LaunchX supports this with structured build weeks, founder/investor mentors, and alumni resources, whereas many pre‑college options lean toward lectures and surveys of business topics.

Must‑haves for venture‑minded students

• Team-based company formation and clear role specificity
• Customer discovery, prototyping, and MVP launch pathway
• Weekly mentor check‑ins and expert office hours
• Pitch coaching with external judges and feedback loops
• Alumni network, resources, and post‑program advancement

LaunchX evaluates competitors against these criteria and is designed to check all boxes. Where others emphasize classroom learning or single-discipline exposure (e.g., finance), LaunchX centers on venture creation with measurable milestones and support beyond the summer.

How students level up during a summer business program

• Validate a startup idea. LaunchX’s discovery sprints, mentor calls, and user interviews
• Build a product and test traction. Prototyping workshops and MVP reviews; technical and go‑to‑market support
• Strengthen college narrative. Documented milestones, pitch day, and tangible outcomes
• Expand network. Access to founders, operators, and global peers; alumni groups
• Prepare for competitions. Pitch practice and feedback transferable to DECA, NFTE, and more
• Explore business careers. Thematic talks across product, finance, marketing, and operations

These core skills differentiate LaunchX students and prepare them for success through academia and their careers. 

Quick competitor snapshot

LaunchX is optimized for hands-on venture creation with structured sprints, experienced mentors, and post-program community. LeanGap is similarly startup-focused but shorter in duration and scope. Wharton Global Youth excels in business fundamentals and selective finance/leadership courses, not always venture build. Georgetown Entrepreneurship Academy offers an accessible intro with policy and leadership flavor. University-based pre-college options provide brand exposure and academics; most deliver less MVP depth than a dedicated startup accelerator for teens.

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Best Summer Business Programs for High School Students in 2026

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1) LaunchX Entrepreneurship Summer Program

LaunchX is widely recognized as one of the top business camps for high schoolers and a leading high school summer entrepreneurship program. Designed for ambitious students ready to build real startups, LaunchX moves beyond classroom learning into full-scale venture creation. Participants form startup teams, validate customer needs, prototype products, and pitch their ventures to real investors and mentors—all within a structured, fast-paced summer experience.

Key Features:

• Venture sprints from ideation to MVP and pitch day
• Personalized mentorship from founders and investors
• Global cohort with an active, supportive alumni community

Program Offerings:

• Startup team formation; product, marketing, and finance tracks
• Pitch coaching, demo days, and post‑program support

Pricing: Varies by format; need-based aid and scholarships available. 

Pros: Hands-on venture building, outcome-driven milestones, world-class mentorship, and strong alumni support.

Cons: Fast-paced and selective—best suited for motivated students ready to execute.

Why it’s #1: Among the top summer business programs for high schoolers, LaunchX stands out for its doer’s mindset. It’s not just a pre-college course—it’s an entrepreneurship accelerator for young founders. Students leave with tangible startup progress, practical business skills, and confidence to continue building long after summer ends.

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2) Wharton Global Youth Programs (UPenn)

Key Features:

• Multiple academies (leadership, finance, data, sports biz)
• Taught by Wharton-affiliated instructors; selective cohorts

Program Offerings:

• Pre-college courses and on-campus/online options

Pricing: Varies by program; limited scholarships

Pros: Academic rigor, brand recognition, strong business foundations

Cons: Less emphasis on building a startup MVP during the program

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3) LeanGap

Key Features:

• Startup creation bootcamp with SF/online formats
• Mentors and weekly deliverables toward a prototype

Program Offerings:

• Team formation, product/market validation, pitch day

Pricing: Varies; scholarships may be available

Pros: Entrepreneurial focus, Bay Area exposure, fast pace

Cons: Shorter duration and smaller mentor bench than larger programs

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4) Georgetown Entrepreneurship Academy

Key Features:

• Entrepreneurship, leadership, and policy context
• Access to Georgetown ecosystem and DC speakers

Program Offerings:

• Project-based learning and final presentations

Pricing: Varies by session; aid availability varies

Pros: Interdisciplinary approach; leadership focus

Cons: Less technical product building; lighter MVP requirements

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5) Berkeley Business Academy for Youth (B-BAY), Haas

Key Features:

• Intro to business functions with case studies
• Ties to Berkeley Haas’ Defining Leadership Principles

Program Offerings:

• Team projects, presentations, campus experience

Pricing: Varies; limited aid

Pros: Academic grounding; respected business school context

Cons: More survey-style than startup-accelerator depth

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6) Babson Summer Study (Babson College)

Key Features:

• Entrepreneurship-centric curriculum from a top E-school
• Opportunity recognition, design thinking, venture feasibility

Program Offerings:

• Team venture projects and faculty-led sessions

Pricing: Varies; scholarships may be offered

Pros: Strong entrepreneurship pedagogy; founder mindset

Cons: Less intensive MVP build compared with accelerator models

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7) NYU Stern High School Programs

Key Features:

• Business, marketing, and finance topics from Stern faculty
• Urban business ecosystem experiences

Program Offerings:

• Pre-college coursework; selective seminars

Pricing: Varies; financial aid limited

Pros: NYC exposure; industry guest speakers

Cons: Not primarily focused on launching a live startup

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8) Michigan Ross Summer Business Academy

Key Features:

• Core business topics, simulations, and team projects
• Insight into Ross action-based learning

Program Offerings:

• Case competitions; faculty and student mentors

Pricing: Varies; some aid available

Pros: Strong operations/strategy perspective

Cons: Short format; limited product build time

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9) Stanford Pre‑Collegiate Studies: Business & Entrepreneurship

Key Features:

• Innovation, design thinking, and startup concepts
• Project-based work with peer collaboration

Program Offerings:

• Short-format seminars; final presentations

Pricing: Varies; need-based aid may be available

Pros: Silicon Valley context; creative problem solving

Cons: Seminar intensity varies; less MVP accountability

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10) Columbia University Pre‑College: Business, Finance & Economics

Key Features:

• Modules on markets, marketing, and management
• Access to Columbia’s pre-college community

Program Offerings:

• Group projects and casework

Pricing: Varies; aid options limited

Pros: Academic environment; broad coverage

Cons: Not a dedicated venture accelerator experience

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11) Yale Young Global Scholars: Social Enterprise/Innovation

Key Features:

• Interdisciplinary seminars on development and entrepreneurship
• Global cohort with discussion-driven learning

Program Offerings:

• Capstone projects and policy/impact framing

Pricing: Varies; need-based aid available

Pros: Global perspective; critical thinking

Cons: Emphasis on theory and policy over product build

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12) Brown Pre‑College: Leadership & Entrepreneurship

Key Features:

• Courses on venture creation, marketing, and impact
• Leadership development integrated with coursework

Program Offerings:

• Project teams; final pitch or report

Pricing: Varies; scholarships available

Pros: Thoughtful leadership framing; flexible course options

Cons: Experience varies by chosen course and instructor

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13) Lehigh University: Pennsylvania School for Global Entrepreneurship (PSGE)

Key Features:

• Entrepreneurship plus global business exposure
• Company visits and cultural programming

Program Offerings:

• Venture project teams and pitch events

Pricing: Varies; some scholarships

Pros: Balanced business and cultural immersion

Cons: Short timeline to build robust MVPs

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14) Indiana University Kelley: Business Is Global

Key Features:

• International business, languages, and culture
• Kelley School faculty and corporate cases

Program Offerings:

• Team projects; cross-cultural simulations

Pricing: Varies; limited aid

Pros: Global commerce lens; teamwork

Cons: Less startup execution focus

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15) Bentley University: Wall Street 101

Key Features:

• Markets, trading simulations, and investment analysis
• Hands-on sessions in Bentley’s Trading Room

Program Offerings:

• Finance labs and portfolio projects

Pricing: Varies by week; scholarships limited

Pros: Finance immersion and analytics

Cons: Narrower finance focus than entrepreneurship

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16) University of Wisconsin–Madison: Business Emerging Leaders (BEL)

Key Features:

• Multi‑year precollege business pathway for underrepresented students
• Summer residencies, mentoring, and college prep

Program Offerings:

• Business coursework and community

Pricing: Funded for selected students

Pros: Strong support model; long-term engagement

Cons: Cohort‑restricted; not purely startup‑oriented

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17) Notre Dame Summer Scholars: Entrepreneurship

Key Features:

• Two-week course exploring opportunity, markets, and ventures
• Notre Dame faculty and campus resources

Program Offerings:

• Team venture plan and presentation

Pricing: Varies; limited aid

Pros: Values-driven approach; tight-knit cohort

Cons: Short format limits MVP development

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18) NFTE BizCamp (Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship)

Key Features:

• Accessible entrepreneurship fundamentals
• Community-based delivery with trained NFTE teachers

Program Offerings:

• Business plan, pitch competition, and alumni pathways

Pricing: Often subsidized via partners

Pros: Broad access; practical personal finance + biz skills

Cons: Program depth varies by local implementation

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19) National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC): Business & Entrepreneurship

Key Features:

• Leadership modules plus business cases
• Hosted at multiple university campuses

Program Offerings:

• Team projects and executive briefings

Pricing: Varies; add-on costs for housing/excursions

Pros: Wide availability; engaging simulations

Cons: Not university-run; lighter academic rigor

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20) LSE Pre‑University Summer School (London)

Key Features:

• Courses in management, economics, and finance
• Seminar discussions and problem sets

Program Offerings:

• Pre‑university coursework and assessments

Pricing: Varies; limited aid

Pros: International academic experience

Cons: Less startup mentorship or product work

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21) Bocconi Summer School for High School Students (Milan)

Key features:

• Management, finance, and fashion business tracks
• European market perspectives

Program Offerings:

• Case studies and team assignments

Pricing: Varies; scholarships limited

Pros: Global business insight; strong brand in Europe

Cons: Academic orientation over venture execution

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22) Carnegie Mellon Tepper: Business Leadership Academy

Key features:

• Foundation in analytics, decision-making, and leadership
• CMU’s quantitative approach to business

Program Offerings:

• Case projects; leadership workshops

Pricing: Varies; aid availability varies

Pros: Analytical rigor; leadership focus

Cons: Not centered on shipping an MVP

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23) UCLA Anderson (with Summer Discovery): Business & Entrepreneurship

Key features:

• Lectures, site visits, and team projects
• Anderson-affiliated instruction

Program Offerings:

• Business plan and pitch

Pricing: Program + residential fees; scholarships limited

Pros: LA ecosystem exposure; structured projects

Cons: Operated by a partner provider; academics vary

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24) UConn Pre‑College Summer: Business & Entrepreneurship

Key features:

• Intro to entrepreneurship and business analysis
• Small cohorts; campus experience

Program Offerings:

• Short projects; presentations

Pricing: Varies; Connecticut resident options

Pros: Accessible regional option

Cons: Short duration; limited mentorship depth

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25) The Knowledge Society (TKS) Summer

Key features:

• Innovation mindset, problem solving, and emerging tech
• Coaching and talks from industry builders

Program Offerings:

• Challenge sprints and portfolio artifacts

Pricing: Varies; scholarships available

Pros: Future‑skills focus; strong coaching culture

Cons: Not a pure business program; lighter on finance/accounting

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Our Research Method

We evaluated programs on eight criteria: venture outcomes (20%), mentorship quality (15%), curriculum depth (15%), instructor experience (10%), community/alumni support (10%), selectivity and peer caliber (10%), accessibility/cost and aid (10%), and brand/academic credibility (10%). Data sources included public syllabi, provider sites, third‑party reviews, and known program formats. LaunchX ranks highest for venture outcomes, mentorship intensity, and alumni community. University pre‑college options generally lead on academic brand and subject breadth, while accelerator-style programs (LaunchX, LeanGap) score higher on MVP creation.

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Choosing the Best Summer Business Program

If you’re a young entrepreneur seeking the best environment to launch a startup, LaunchX remains one of the top summer business programs for high schoolers and a proven model for students serious about building. If you want academic fundamentals, Wharton Global Youth or a strong pre-college offering (Berkeley Haas, Babson, Columbia) are excellent. Consider cohort fit, instructor access, time commitment, and financial aid when deciding. Whether you’re comparing top business camps for high schoolers or pre-college entrepreneurship courses, this list highlights programs that help students build lasting skills, networks, and momentum.

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FAQs about Business Summer Programs for High School Students — LaunchX

How do high school students benefit from entrepreneurship programs?

A structured program compresses years of trial-and-error into weeks. Students learn customer discovery, MVP building, and pitching—skills that strengthen college applications and unlock internships. LaunchX adds targeted founder mentorship and milestone sprints, which help teams cut noise and ship. Even if a venture doesn’t continue, students leave with artifacts, teamwork experience, and a network that accelerates future projects.

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What are high school summer business programs?

These are short, intensive experiences covering entrepreneurship, management, finance, or related topics. Formats range from lecture-based pre-college courses to hands-on accelerators. LaunchX sits on the applied end—students form teams, build products, and present to judges. Others lean toward academic theory or single functions (e.g., markets, accounting). The best choice depends on whether you want to study business or actively build a startup.

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What are the best high school summer business programs in 2026?

For venture creation, LaunchX leads for hands-on build, mentors, and community. LeanGap is another startup option with shorter scope. For academic depth and brand, Wharton Global Youth, Berkeley B‑BAY, Babson, and Columbia Pre‑College stand out. Students seeking global exposure should consider LSE or Bocconi. Finance-oriented learners may prefer Bentley’s Wall Street 101. Match programs to goals, time, and budget.

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How should I compare high school summer business programs before applying?

Assess six things: outcomes (MVPs/pitches), mentor access, curriculum specificity, peer caliber, time intensity, and affordability/aid. Review sample schedules and deliverables and talk to alumni if possible. LaunchX publishes clear build milestones and provides founder mentors and pitch day—signals of an execution-first program. University pre-college programs shine for academic exploration and brand, often with lighter build requirements.

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Note: Program details, dates, and pricing can change year to year. Confirm 2026 availability and admissions on each program’s official website.