Start a real startup

The Entrepreneurship Program gives you hands-on experience launching a real startup as a high school student.

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Location

U.C. San Diego

Dates

July 12 – August 8

Commitment

Fulltime

Cost

$11,495

Real Companies, Unreal Results

You'll build a real startup from a blank page to a live pitch, testing every idea in simulations, workshops, and breakout rooms alongside your team. Collaborate with a global community and bring your ideas to life.

✓ Hands-on Learning

Built and launched a real startup, gaining practical entrepreneurial experience.

✓ Global Collaboration

Work with a diverse community of students from around the world.

✓ Business & Innovation

Gain valuable experience in business strategy, and turning ideas into reality.

Real Companies, Unreal Results



The Online Summer Innovation Program gives you the chance to solve a real company's business problem.

Partner with students from all over the world to understand a challenge a business if facing and work on a solution. Don’t wait for the future – create it!

✓ Hands-on Learning

✓ Hands-on Learning

Built and launched a real startup, gaining practical entrepreneurial experience.

✓ Global Collaboration

Work with a diverse community of students from around the world.

✓ Business & Innovation

Gain valuable experience in business strategy, and turning ideas into reality.

2027 Programs

Something exciting is coming. Be the first to know about the 2027 programs, dates, applications, and more!

Your team awaits.

Join other like-minded high schoolers who share your passion for entrepreneurship. We use a unique teaming formula that pairs you with other Launchies to complement your skill set and ultimately set your team up for success.

What you’ll be doing

Learn to spot real opportunities before you fall in love with a solution. You'll map the customer journey, break down problems with issue trees, generate ideas with SCAMPER and "How Might We" questions, and explore strategic frameworks from SWOT to Blue Ocean Strategy and the 5 Forces to find ideas competitors haven't touched yet.

Your first job as a founder is to really understand your customer. You'll conduct real customer discovery interviews, apply the Jobs-to-Be-Done framework, and stress-test your value proposition in a live Customer Discovery Simulation.

Turn your idea into something people can actually try. You'll build your Proof-of-Concept, Prototypes and MVPs with no-code, AI tools or 3D printers, and run structured tests to learn what customers really want before you build too much.

Master the full go-to-market playbook, pricing, funnels, branding, and closing, then put it to the test. You'll compete head-to-head in a Go-to-Market Simulation and negotiate a live deal in the Negotiation Simulation.

Build your startup's financial model from the ground up, from your first P&L to a five-year forecast. You'll learn how funding, valuation, and dilution actually work, then navigate a live Fundraising Simulation with real investor dynamics.

Turn everything you've built into a story worth funding. You'll craft your pitch deck, get live feedback from instructors, and present your venture on Demo Day in front of real panelists and peers.

Events

We offer events throughout the program for you to relax, connect with other Launchies, and have a bit of fun outside of your work.

From surfing and cooking to creative experiments, games, and social activities, there’s always something new to try and people to meet.

Problem & Ideation

Learn to spot real opportunities before you fall in love with a solution. You'll map the customer journey, break down problems with issue trees, generate ideas with SCAMPER and "How Might We" questions, and explore strategic frameworks from SWOT to Blue Ocean Strategy and the 5 Forces to find ideas competitors haven't touched yet.

Market & Customer

Your first job as a founder is to really understand your customer. You'll conduct real customer discovery interviews, apply the Jobs-to-Be-Done framework, and stress-test your value proposition in a live Customer Discovery Simulation.

Product & Prototyping

Turn your idea into something people can actually try. You'll build your Proof-of-Concept, Prototypes and MVPs with no-code, AI tools or 3D printers, and run structured tests to learn what customers really want before you build too much.

Feedback

Hear Launchie's Opinions

Cárdenas and Bai
Jefferson Cooper
"LaunchX is great because it's challenging. You learn a lot from the experience when it comes from teamwork and collaboration."
Harshita Arora
Sanath Muralidhara
"I enjoyed working with my team to solve a real-world problem with the guidance of LaunchX staff and interns."
Michael Matias
Bailey Cherry
"LaunchX provides a really unique experience when it comes to mentorship."
Joana Baptista
Afitab Iyigun
"This was a great opportunity and one of my best experiences."

LaunchX IN The numbers

See the results

500
+
Teams
90
%+
Teams Attained Customer Sales
3000
+
Launchies

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can apply to LaunchX’s Online Innovation Program?

All programs are designed for high school students ages 14–18. The Online Startup Experience is also open to college-aged students (18–22).

How much does the Online Innovation Program cost?

The Online Innovation Program costs $4,995. Other programs vary—see our Program Comparison page for details.

What is the acceptance rate for LaunchX programs?

~30% for Flagship Programs.

When will the Online Innovation Program take place?

The Online Innovation Program will take place from June 8 through June 26.

When is the deadline to apply for LaunchX’s summer programs?

Our Application have 4 main deadlines –
November 12 – Priority Deadline
January 7 – Early Deadline
February 11 – Financial Award Deadline
March 4 – Final Deadline

Is financial aid available?

Yes. LaunchX offers financial awards to ensure qualified students can attend. Details are available on our Financial Award page.

Still have questions?

Please contact us at help@launchx.com and we’ll help you.

Partner Startups

Intern at real startups. Build your portfolio. Launch your career.

15
+
Partner Companies
50
+
Project Types
10
+
Industries
Billion Dollar Startup Ideas
Entre
InvestFar
Pabloo
Players Only
Reflexion
Token Z Labs Inc
Cerbrec Inc.
DeMind Inc.
Global Impact Assessment
NeuralX Inc.
Perseuss
PatentPlusAI
Mindly Care
And more

Partner Startups

Intern at real startups. Build your portfolio. Launch your career.

15
+
Partner Companies
50
+
Project Types
10
+
Industries
Billion Dollar Startup Ideas
Entre
InvestFar
Pabloo
Players Only
Reflexion
Token Z Labs Inc
Cerbrec Inc.
DeMind Inc.
Global Impact Assessment
NeuralX Inc.
Perseuss
PatentPlusAI
Mindly Care
And more

Partner Startups

Intern at real startups. Build your portfolio. Launch your career.

15
+
Partner Companies
50
+
Project Types
10
+
Industries
Billion Dollar Startup Ideas
Entre
InvestFar
Pabloo
Players Only
Reflexion
Token Z Labs Inc
Cerbrec Inc.
DeMind Inc.
Global Impact Assessment
NeuralX Inc.
Perseuss
PatentPlusAI
Mindly Care
And more

Partner Startups

Intern at real startups. Build your portfolio. Launch your career.

15
+
Partner Companies
50
+
Project Types
10
+
Industries
Billion Dollar Startup Ideas
Entre
InvestFar
Pabloo
Players Only
Reflexion
Token Z Labs Inc
Cerbrec Inc.
DeMind Inc.
Global Impact Assessment
NeuralX Inc.
Perseuss
PatentPlusAI
Mindly Care
And more

Partner Startups

Intern at real startups. Build your portfolio. Launch your career.

15
+
Partner Companies
50
+
Project Types
10
+
Industries
Billion Dollar Startup Ideas
Entre
InvestFar
Pabloo
Players Only
Reflexion
Token Z Labs Inc
Cerbrec Inc.
DeMind Inc.
Global Impact Assessment
NeuralX Inc.
Perseuss
PatentPlusAI
Mindly Care
And more

Partner Startups

Intern at real startups. Build your portfolio. Launch your career.

15
+
Partner Companies
50
+
Project Types
10
+
Industries
Billion Dollar Startup Ideas
Entre
InvestFar
Pabloo
Players Only
Reflexion
Token Z Labs Inc
Cerbrec Inc.
DeMind Inc.
Global Impact Assessment
NeuralX Inc.
Perseuss
PatentPlusAI
Mindly Care
And more

Partner Startups

Intern at real startups. Build your portfolio. Launch your career.

15
+
Partner Companies
50
+
Project Types
10
+
Industries
Billion Dollar Startup Ideas
Entre
InvestFar
Pabloo
Players Only
Reflexion
Token Z Labs Inc
Cerbrec Inc.
DeMind Inc.
Global Impact Assessment
NeuralX Inc.
Perseuss
PatentPlusAI
Mindly Care
And more

Partner Startups

Intern at real startups. Build your portfolio. Launch your career.

15
+
Partner Companies
50
+
Project Types
10
+
Industries
Billion Dollar Startup Ideas
Entre
InvestFar
Pabloo
Players Only
Reflexion
Token Z Labs Inc
Cerbrec Inc.
DeMind Inc.
Global Impact Assessment
NeuralX Inc.
Perseuss
PatentPlusAI
Mindly Care
And more

Partner Startups

Intern at real startups. Build your portfolio. Launch your career.

15
+
Partner Companies
50
+
Project Types
10
+
Industries
Billion Dollar Startup Ideas
Entre
InvestFar
Pabloo
Players Only
Reflexion
Token Z Labs Inc
Cerbrec Inc.
DeMind Inc.
Global Impact Assessment
NeuralX Inc.
Perseuss
PatentPlusAI
Mindly Care
And more