If you are interested in business and looking for a focused program in the field, consider joining a business summer camp. Summer camps are designed to help you understand how businesses operate without being too long (and expensive). You can explore subjects like business strategy, marketing, finance, entrepreneurship, leadership, data analysis, project management, and communication.
Many of the summer camps in the list below can give you a taste of business in a practical setting through workshops, team projects, startup challenges, and case studies. You might learn about areas like social businesses, sports data, technology in business, finance, international trade, and family-run companies! Some camps below also teach tools like R for data, startup planning methods, and business strategies used in top MBA schools.
Here is a list of 15 business summer camps for high school students!
14 Business Summer Camps for High School Students
1. Young Founders Lab
Location: Fully virtual
Cost: Financial aid is available
Application Deadline: May 11
Dates: June 2 (Individual Program); June 9-29 (Group Program, Summer 1); August 4-24 (Group Program, Summer 2)
Eligibility: All high school students (grades 9–12) are eligible to join the program, with no prior entrepreneurship experience required.
The Young Founders Lab is a hands-on business incubator for high school students who want to build their startup from the ground up. You’ll learn how to spot market needs, design and test product ideas, and create a working business model. While this isn’t a traditional “camp”, it is quite focused, and zooms in on one aspect – developing a business idea.
Throughout the program, you’ll work on customer research, financial planning, and pitch development. You’ll also get real feedback during a final demo day, where you present your startup to investors and professionals. It’s a chance to build something real and learn what it takes to launch a business.
2. Entrepreneurship Bootcamp – LaunchX
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,995
Dates: Summer: June 17 – Aug 9; Fall: Oct 6 – Oct 17
Application Deadline: Summer: April 24; Fall: May 14
Eligibility: Applicants must be high school students
At LaunchX, you’ll spend a few weeks learning how to build a real startup from the ground up. The program is offered online and in person at places like Ann Arbor and the Bay Area, and it’s all about helping you take an idea and turn it into something real.
You’ll learn how to find real-world problems worth solving, come up with ideas using proven methods, and figure out if your product fits what people want. You’ll work in teams, build prototypes, test your ideas, and get feedback from mentors along the way.
3. I Heart Startups: An Entrepreneurship Incubator – Pre-College Program Brown University
Location: On-Campus at Brown University
Cost: On Campus 1 week – $3,584; On Campus 2 weeks – $5,534
Dates: June 22 to July 3; June 29 to July 11; July 13 to July 25
Application Deadline: May 9
Eligibility: All applicants must be in high school in the age range of 14-18
At Brown’s I Heart Startups, you’ll learn how real startups are built from scratch. You’ll team up with other students to find problems worth solving, brainstorm creative solutions, and test out ideas in industries like AI, healthcare, and fintech.
Each day includes hands-on workshops, group work, and individual pitching sessions. You’ll also study how companies like Amazon and Tesla got started, meet mentors, and wrap it all up by presenting your venture on Demo Day.
4. The Michigan Ross Summer Business Academy
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor Campus
Cost: $5,500 plus a $75 application fee, but need-based scholarships are available
Dates: June 13 – 27
Application Deadline: Jan 21
Eligibility: You must be a current rising high school senior to apply. Preference will be given to U.S. citizens or permanent residents. You must also maintain a minimum, cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
The Michigan Ross Summer Business Academy is a two-week experience where you learn how businesses operate and what it takes to lead in real-world settings. You’ll take part in interactive classes, group projects, and workshops focused on marketing, finance, strategy, and entrepreneurship.
You’ll work with faculty and business professionals, build teamwork and communication skills, and dive into case studies and simulations used in college-level business courses. You’ll also get to pitch ideas, solve real business challenges, and learn directly from industry experts.
5. San Francisco Pre-College Entrepreneurship Summer School | UC Berkeley
Location: In person at UC Berkeley
Cost: $8,800
Dates: 13 July to 26 July
Application Deadline: Applications open right now!
Eligibility: All applicants must be high school students between the ages of 15-18
Entrepreneurship Summer Camp at UC Berkeley, part of the San Francisco Pre-College Summer School, introduces you to startup strategy, innovation, and business development through direct exposure to Silicon Valley’s ecosystem. You’ll study real-world case studies, learn how to spot entrepreneurial opportunities, and apply principles of disruption and innovation.
The experience includes workshops, mentorship from industry experts, and field visits to startups, incubators, and tech companies. You’ll work on startup challenges, build and refine your business ideas, and pitch them to professionals for feedback. Sessions also cover emerging technologies like AI, blockchain, and fintech, helping you understand the future of business across industries.
6. Camp Business | Drexel University’s LeBow College of Business
Location: Drexel University, Philadelphia
Cost: Residential Blue Session: $2,000; Commuter Session: $950; Residential Gold Session: $2,000
Dates: Residential Blue Session: Sunday, July 13 — Friday, July 18; Commuter Session: Sunday, July 20 — Friday, July 25; Residential Gold Session: Sunday, July 27 — Friday, August 1
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Exceptionally high school students entering their sophomore, junior, or senior year are encouraged to apply to LeBow’s Camp Business program
Camp Business at Drexel University’s LeBow College of Business is a college-level program that gives you a look into the core areas of business. You’ll study topics like accounting, marketing, finance, and management, and learn how to read financial documents, assess market strategies, and understand how organizations work.
The program includes case studies, simulations, and group projects that help you apply what you learn. You’ll also work with tools like stock market analysis, business data interpretation, and professional communication, getting a real sense of how business works in practice.
7. Babson Summer Study for High School Students
Location: Fully online or in-person at New England Innovation Academy
Cost: $6,295 (+ $95 application fee)
Application Deadline: February 14
Dates: July 7- July 28
Eligibility: Applicants must be a rising high school junior or senior, scheduled to graduate in the next two years, and be at least 16 by the start date of the program.
Babson Summer Study, hosted by Babson College, is a 3+ week experience that develops core entrepreneurial skills through the course EPS 1110: Introduction to the Entrepreneurial Experience. You will examine real-world challenges using the United Nations Global Goals as a framework and apply entrepreneurial thinking to address them.
You’ll build communication and teamwork skills while learning key concepts in finance, marketing, leadership, and venture development. Guided by Babson faculty and academic mentors, you will work on a social impact project using Babson’s Entrepreneurial Thought & Action approach.
8. Family Enterprise Suite – Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern
Location: Virtual and in-person options
Cost: Not specified. Contact here for more information.
Application Deadline: Not mentioned
Dates: Various dates depending on the sessions
Eligibility: Applicants can be from high school or any family business members
Family Enterprise Suite, hosted by the John L. Ward Center at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, focuses on leadership, growth, and management within multigenerational family businesses. You will explore topics like succession, governance, entrepreneurship, and strategy, while gaining skills in negotiation, marketing, finance, and operations.
The curriculum includes real-world case studies, lectures, and group discussions on family business dynamics. You will also study lean operations, supply chains, AI applications, and data-driven decisions. Sessions are taught by faculty who research and advise in this field, with live virtual and in-person formats offered in Evanston and Chicago.
9. Moneyball FLEX – Wharton Global Youth Program
Location: Online
Cost: $2,099
Application Deadline: Spring: March 6; Summer priority: April 2; Summer final: May 1
Dates:Spring: March 30 to April 27; Summer: June 22 to July 27
Eligibility: High school students currently enrolled in grades 9–12 with strong math skills and an interest in sports. International applicants are welcome.
Moneyball FLEX, offered by the Wharton Global Youth Program at the University of Pennsylvania, is a four-week online course that introduces statistics and coding through sports analytics. Designed by Wharton Professor Adi Wyner, it covers data interpretation, statistical reasoning, and coding basics in R, a key language in sports analytics.
You will gain experience in conducting sports analysis projects, evaluating statistical arguments in sports media, and applying math to sports data. The course includes live sessions with Professor Wyner, support from Penn undergraduates, and optional guest lectures. Select projects may be published in the Sports Analytics Student Research Journal.
10. Future of the Business World – Wharton Global Youth Program
Location: Online
Cost: $4,099
Application Deadline: May 1
Dates: Session 1: Jun 16 – Jun 27; Session 2: Jul 7 – Jul 18; Session 3: Jul 21 – Aug 1
Eligibility: High school students currently enrolled in grades 9–12 with a broad interest in business and a desire to explore various business pathways. International applicants are also welcome.
Future of the Business World, offered by the Wharton Global Youth Program at the University of Pennsylvania, is a two-week online course that explores key business themes through design thinking, scenario planning, and collaborative strategy. You will analyze global challenges using frameworks from Wharton’s undergraduate and graduate programs.
The course includes interactive lectures, business simulations, group projects, and guided discussions, helping you develop skills in critical thinking, communication, and teamwork. The experience culminates in a project where you assess and present predictions about emerging business trends.
11. Venture Camp
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,900 if enrolled before May 1, and $3,200 after that date
Application Deadline: Priority: February 23; Regular: April 6; Final: May 11
Dates: Summer Batch I – June 16 – July 14; Summer Batch II – July 21 – August 15
Eligibility: High school students from anywhere in the world are encouraged to apply
Venture Camp, a summer program for high school students, offers a hands-on introduction to entrepreneurship and business innovation. You will learn core startup principles, including ideation, customer discovery, product development, and sales through live instruction, workshops, and collaborative project work.
In the program, you will apply these skills in real time, either by co-founding a business with peers or solving operational challenges for a real-world startup. Emphasis is placed on problem-solving, iterative development, and user feedback, giving you practical exposure to building and scaling businesses.
12. Summer Business Camp – Rutgers Business School
Location: Rutgers Business School on the Livingston Campus, NJ
Cost: $2,500
Application Deadline: Not mentioned. Tentatively, Late January.
Dates: July 6 – 12
Eligibility: All applicants must be high school students
The Rutgers Business School Summer Camp, held at the Livingston Campus in Piscataway, is a one-week residential program that offers a comprehensive introduction to business fundamentals like marketing, management, finance, accounting, and supply chain. You will learn how to develop a business idea, create a business model, and present a full business plan with guidance from Rutgers faculty, mentors, and industry professionals.
The program includes daily sessions, interactive lectures, and site visits to corporate offices, offering hands-on experience in business analytics, leadership, entrepreneurship, and communication. You will engage in exercises like elevator pitches, business plan creation, and team-based simulations.
13. Kelley Women’s Leadership Institute
Location: Virtual and in-person options
Cost: None
Application Deadline: Different deadlines for different cohorts.
Dates: April 1 to July 25. Vary by cohorts
Eligibility: All applications are open to female sophomores and rising juniors, and seniors who have maintained a minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale.
The Kelley Women’s Leadership Institute, hosted by the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University Bloomington, is a selective program aimed at introducing high school women to the world of business. Through faculty-led workshops, you will explore foundational business concepts while building leadership, communication, and critical thinking skills.
You will engage in solving a real-world business case, gaining hands-on experience in collaborative problem-solving, strategic thinking, and presenting business solutions. The program also includes opportunities to connect with Kelley alumni and current students, offering a deeper understanding of college life and career paths in business.
14. Business Opportunities Summer Session (BOSS)
Location: Penn State University Park, State College, PA
Cost: $250
Program Dates: June 15–27
Application Deadline: April 28
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors in the U.S. or Puerto Rico with a strong interest in business
Hosted by Penn State’s Smeal College of Business, BOSS is a two-week residential program that introduces you to college-level business while giving you a feel for campus life. You’ll attend classes taught by Penn State faculty and explore subjects like management, supply chain, communication, and business ethics.
You’ll also build practical skills through writing and presentation exercises, communication strategy sessions, and workshops on entrepreneurship. Professors from different business fields will guide you through real-world topics like corporate innovation and leadership. BOSS is a good way to see what studying business in college is really like..
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like business and finance, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
Image source – Pennsylvania State University: Smeal College of Business