If you’re a high school student who wants to see what starting a business really feels like, entrepreneurship camps are a simple way to try it out. You’ll spend your days brainstorming ideas, turning them into small projects, and working with others who think like you. You’ll learn what goes into planning something from scratch, like how to test ideas, find what people actually need, and present your work clearly.
Entrepreneurship camps are not like regular programs or internships. They’re short, focused, and built around doing things instead of just learning about them. You’ll build, test, and improve your ideas in real time. You’ll work on small teams, get feedback from mentors, and see how real founders approach problems
Joining one of these camps also helps you figure out if entrepreneurship is something you might want to study in college or turn into a career later. You’ll walk away with something like a working prototype, a pitch deck, or even just a clearer sense of how to approach ideas. These projects and skills also make a strong addition to your college applications since they show initiative and real-world learning.
To help you get started, here’s a list of 13 entrepreneurship camps for high school students!
13 Entrepreneurship Camps for High School Students
1. Camp Business – Drexel University LeBow College of Business
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Cost/Stipend: $2,000 (Residential Blue & Gold), $950 (Commuter); $250 deposit required upon acceptance
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; cohort size not published
Program 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 introduces high school students to foundational business disciplines through a practical, case-driven curriculum. You’ll analyze financial statements, participate in stock market simulations, and develop marketing strategies for mock companies. Sessions cover accounting, management, and decision science, emphasizing data interpretation and strategic communication. Working in teams, you’ll apply business theory to problem-solving and leadership exercises that reflect real-world organizational challenges. Both residential and commuter formats provide access to Drexel’s faculty, labs, and collaborative learning spaces.
2. McCombs Summer Business Programs – University of Texas at Austin
Location: Austin, Texas
Cost/Stipend: Free (tuition, housing, and meals fully covered)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; small cohorts across three academies
Program Dates: McCombs Future Executive Academy (MFEA): June 1–6; Subiendo: The Academy for Rising Leaders: June 8–12; Discover Yourself in Accounting Majors and Careers (DYNAMC): June 22–27
Application Deadline: Subiendo: January 31; MFEA & DYNAMC: March 1
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors (Subiendo open only to Texas juniors)
The McCombs Summer Business Programs at the University of Texas at Austin include three residential options for high school students who want to learn about business, leadership, and career skills. Each program has a different focus but helps you strengthen your communication, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities. In MFEA (McCombs Future Executive Academy), you explore business strategy and management through case studies and real-world simulations. Subiendo focuses on civic leadership and policy design, where you study how business connects with public service and community work. DYNAMC, created with Ernst & Young, introduces you to accounting and shows how financial concepts shape different industries.
3. Business Opportunities Summer Session (BOSS) – Penn State University
Location: University Park, Pennsylvania
Cost: $350
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Program Dates: June 14–26
Application Deadline: March 20
Eligibility: Open to high school juniors from the U.S. and Puerto Rico and interested in pursuing a business education in college.
The Business Opportunities Summer Session (BOSS) at Penn State University is a two-week residential program run by the Smeal College of Business. It introduces high school students to college life and the basics of business. You take classes in accounting, supply chain management, and entrepreneurship to understand how businesses make decisions and operate. Workshops and group projects help you practice public speaking and analysis through real case studies. You also attend talks by Penn State faculty and business professionals who share their experiences. Campus activities give you a clear idea of what it’s like to be a first-year business student at Penn State.
4. Entrepreneurship Summer Academy – University of Arizona
Location: Tucson, Arizona
Cost/Stipend: Varies; scholarships available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; typically fewer than 50 students
Program Dates: June 8–13
Application Deadline: Opens each spring
Eligibility: Students in grades 8–12; no prior business experience required
The Entrepreneurship Summer Academy at the University of Arizona is a one-week residential program for high school students interested in business and innovation. You learn about entrepreneurship, economic systems, and decision-making through interactive lessons and practical projects. Using Intuit’s Design for Delight framework, you identify user needs, develop ideas, create prototypes, and test business concepts. You work in teams with mentors from the McGuire Center for Entrepreneurship to prepare for a final pitch competition reviewed by local business leaders.
5. Entrepreneurship & Innovation Bootcamp – Tufts University
Location: Tufts University, Medford / Somerville Campus
Cost: Commuter: $4,225; Residential: $5,750
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; small cohort
Program Dates: July 5- July 17
Application Deadline: Dec 1 – May 1
Eligibility: Current 10th–12th graders (minimum 2.0 GPA; must be at least 15 years old by check-in)
The Entrepreneurship & Innovation Bootcamp at Tufts University is a fast-paced summer program that introduces high school students to the fundamentals of launching and growing a business. Over the course of one week, you’ll dive into the startup process, from identifying problems and designing solutions to building business models and pitching ideas. You’ll work in teams to develop ventures using design thinking and lean startup principles, guided by Tufts faculty and mentors from the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Workshops cover topics like market research, prototyping, branding, and financial planning, helping you build practical skills in innovation and strategy.
6. Entrepreneurship Summer Camp – North Carolina Central University (NCCU)
Location: Durham, North Carolina
Cost/Stipend: Free (meals included)
Program Dates: June 7–18
Application Deadline: April 1 (tentative)
Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th graders
Hosted by NCCU’s School of Business, this free two-week camp immerses students in startup development, branding, and financial literacy. You’ll learn to create business models, conduct market analysis, and present investor pitches. Workshops led by faculty and local entrepreneurs emphasize applied skills in leadership, marketing, and budgeting. The program concludes with a pitch competition where participants demonstrate their ability to synthesize innovation, feasibility, and strategic execution.
7. On-Campus Summer Business Academies – Harvard Student Agencies
Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
Cost/Stipend: $1,800; early-bird discounts and need-based financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Cohorts vary; accessible with strong financial support
Program Dates: Entrepreneurship Track: June 9–13, June 23–27, July 14–18, July 28–August 1; Management & Strategy Track: June 16–20, July 21–25, August 4–8
Application Deadline: Rolling; early application recommended for aid
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9–12
The On-Campus Summer Business Academies offered by Harvard Student Agencies are one-week programs that give high school students a hands-on introduction to core business disciplines. You can choose between two tracks: Entrepreneurship or Management and Strategy. In the Entrepreneurship track, you’ll learn how to analyze markets, identify opportunities, and build a business plan from the ground up. You’ll conduct SWOT and market analyses, then pitch your idea to a mock investor panel, gaining experience in innovation, communication, and strategic thinking. The Management and Strategy track focuses on solving real-world business challenges. You’ll work through case studies, design operational solutions, and practice financial modeling to understand how companies make complex decisions.
8. Entrepreneurship Institute – Summer Immersion Program – Wake Forest University
Location: Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Cost/Stipend: $3,200 (includes tuition, housing, and meals)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; small cohort
Program Dates: June 15–20 or June 22–27
Application Deadline: Rolling until filled
Eligibility: Current 9th–12th graders
Wake Forest’s Entrepreneurship Institute offers a weeklong residential program centered on startup development and innovation. You’ll study business ideation, financial planning, and marketing strategy while building a pitch deck and prototype. The curriculum integrates classroom instruction with local startup visits and mentorship from entrepreneurs. Students apply quantitative reasoning and design thinking to refine their ideas before presenting in a competitive pitch session evaluated by industry professionals.
9. Business Academy for Youth (B-BAY) – University of California, Berkeley
Location: Berkeley, California
Cost/Stipend: $6,292 (CA residents); $7,332 (out-of-state); limited need-based scholarships available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: ~50 students per session
Program Dates: July 5–19 or July 19–August 2
Application Deadline: March 1; rolling admissions until full
Eligibility: Open to high school students worldwide
Hosted by UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, the Berkeley Business Academy for Youth (B-BAY) is a two-week residential program for high school students interested in entrepreneurship and business strategy. You study topics such as marketing analytics, financial modeling, and product design while working in teams to create a complete business plan. Guided by Haas faculty and mentored by Berkeley students, you gain practical experience in market research, customer discovery, and startup development. Guest talks by entrepreneurs and investors help you understand how ideas grow into real ventures. The program ends with a formal pitch, where you present your team’s business idea to faculty judges focusing on market potential and financial planning.
10. Exploring Entrepreneurship – Fordham University Gabelli School of Business
Location: New York City, New York
Cost/Stipend: $1,800
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; small cohort for individualized instruction
Program Dates: June 23–27
Application Deadline: Rolling until filled
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
Fordham University’s Exploring Entrepreneurship program is a one-week summer program for high school students who want to understand how startups work from idea to investment. You learn how to build a business model, study customer needs, and design prototypes that solve real problems. Workshops cover topics such as funding, marketing, and business growth, giving you tools to plan and manage a venture. You also visit a New York startup incubator and join discussions with experts on venture capital, business strategy, and team leadership.
11. Accelerated Business Program – University of Georgia Terry College of Business
Location: Athens, Georgia (UGA campus) and online option
Cost/Stipend: $295 (residential); $25 (online); limited need-based scholarships available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; small cohorts
Program Dates: June 8–11 (Athens); July 10–11 (online)
Application Deadline: March 23 (Athens); June 2 (online)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors, and incoming UGA freshmen
UGA’s Accelerated Business Program introduces students to core business disciplines through lectures, workshops, and executive talks. You’ll analyze business models, explore strategy and finance, and interact with faculty from the Terry College of Business. Corporate sessions with companies such as PwC and Google highlight real-world applications of business theory. The residential track includes team-based projects and networking events, while the online track provides a condensed curriculum with live Q&A and peer collaboration.
12. Summer Business Camp – Rutgers Business School
Location: Piscataway, New Jersey (Livingston Campus)
Cost: $2,500
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Extremely popular; fills quickly
Program Dates: July 6–12, July 13–19, July 20–26
Application Deadline: Rolling from January 2; early registration recommended
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
Rutgers Business School’s weeklong residential camp covers marketing, finance, management, and supply chain fundamentals through applied workshops and group projects. You’ll participate in case studies, company visits, and strategy sessions led by Rutgers faculty. The capstone activity involves developing and pitching a business plan that demonstrates your understanding of market positioning and financial feasibility. Staying in campus apartments provides an authentic collegiate environment that blends academic learning with team collaboration.
13. Business Leadership Program (BLP) – University of Colorado Boulder Leeds School of Business
Location: Boulder, Colorado
Cost/Stipend: Free (tuition and housing covered by sponsors)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; limited cohort
Program Dates: June 22–28
Application Deadline: March 13
Eligibility: Open to Colorado residents or students attending a Colorado high school. Only current juniors for the current school year are eligible.
The Business Leadership Program at CU Boulder is a weeklong, fully funded camp focused on strategic thinking and leadership in corporate contexts. You’ll work on marketing and innovation projects for real companies, gaining insight into consulting and branding. The curriculum emphasizes teamwork, financial planning, and persuasive communication. You may interact with executives from firms like EY and KeyBank, and top-performing participants may earn scholarships to the Leeds School of Business.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, 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 – University of Arizona