Looking to explore business and entrepreneurship during your summer break? These top-tier programs offer hands-on experience in startup creation, leadership development, and real-world business skills. Below are the 10 best summer programs for aspiring young entrepreneurs and business leaders.
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1. Babson College Introduction to the Entrepreneurial Experience
Type: Summer Program
Age: High school juniors and seniors (16+)
Timeline: July 8 – 29
Location: Fully online or in-person at NEIA (New England Innovation Academy in Marlborough, Massachusetts)
Cost: $6,295
The Babson College Introduction to the Entrepreneurial Experience summer study program emphasizes exploring social, economic, and environmental challenges aligned with the U.N. Global Goals, providing students with a broad understanding of entrepreneurship, leadership, marketing, finance, and business communication. The entrepreneurial ecosystem at Babson will allow students to hear from leaders within Babson’s entrepreneurial network, engage with faculty, alumni, and students through panels and presentations, and participate in both live and asynchronous academic coursework. The course schedule includes live sessions lasting approximately 3 hours daily, with an expectation of up to 5 additional hours each day for out-of-class assignments.
2. Penn State Business Opportunities Summer Session (BOSS)
Type: Summer Program
Age: High school students in the U.S. or Puerto Rico entering grade 12 with a strong passion for business
Timeline: June 15 – 27
Location: State College, Pennsylvania
Cost: $250 (required only if accepted). Some scholarships may be available to assist with registration fees.
If you’re a high school junior who wants to pursue a business education in college, the Business Opportunities Summer Session (BOSS) at Penn State’s University Park campus offers a great opportunity to get a head start. This two-week residential program is specifically designed to introduce students to the rigors of college life and the fundamentals of business education through a series of college prep and business courses taught by Penn State faculty. During the program, students will engage in a variety of classes and activities that cover key aspects of business, including Management and Organization with Dr. Jamie Campbell, Supply Chain with Dr. Felisa Higgins, and Ethics and Social Responsibility with Dr. Michelle Darnell.
3. Berkeley Business Academy for Youth (B-BAY)
Type: Summer Program
Age: All high school students are eligible
Timeline: Multiple sessions – Session I: July 5 – 19, 2025; Session II: July 19 – August 2, 2025
Location: UC Berkeley
Cost: California Resident $6,292; Out of State Resident $7,332 (covers tuition, materials, housing, UC campus fees, bank fees, credit card fees, third party system and administrative fees)
The Berkeley Business Academy for Youth (B-BAY) annually welcomes 50 students from around the globe to dive into business disciplines at Berkeley. Through intensive learning experiences led by Berkeley Haas professors and insights from corporate guest speakers, students wil delve deep into the essentials of business formation and development. Students will work on independent research, computer lab assignments, and collaborative team projects.
4. Georgetown University Entrepreneurship Academy
Type: Summer Program
Age: Current or rising high school freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior
Timeline: June 16 – 28
Location: Georgetown University
Cost: $5,950
The Georgetown University’s Entrepreneurship Academy is a two-week intensive program that provides a comprehensive exploration of entrepreneurship, including choosing a start-up, prototype testing, market research, social innovation, and the nuances of global business operations. The curriculum is designed to bridge theory with practical application, teaching students the essentials of design thinking and brainstorming to transform ideas into viable, promising business plans. Students will work in teams to prepare for a final pitch competition, simulating real-world business planning and presentation scenarios.
5. LaunchX
Type: Summer Program
Age: All high school students are eligible (15-18 year olds)
Timeline: 3, 4, or 5 weeks between June and August
Location: Online, Bay Area CA, or Ann Arbor MI
Cost: Ranges from $1,995 to $9,995 depending on chosen program
With LaunchX, students have the opportunity to grow as an entrepreneur from anywhere in the world, thanks to their innovative Online Entrepreneurship and Online Innovation Programs. These programs are designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the future of business. For those looking to dive into a real-world business creation experience, the Ann Arbor Entrepreneurship Program offers a chance to join a team and launch a company within just 4 weeks. This program is hosted in Ann Arbor and provides a collaborative environment where students can work closely with peers under the guidance of experienced mentors. Similarly, the Bay Area Entrepreneurship Program offers the same accelerated, team-based company launch experience in the vibrant and innovative atmosphere of the Bay Area.
6. LeanGap
Type: Summer Program
Age: All high school students are eligible
Timeline: June 17 – July 12 for Online Program; July 15 – August 9 for In-Person Program
Location: UC Berkeley or Online
Cost: $6,450 for Online; $9,450 for On-Campus
LeanGap is a great opportunity for students if you are interested in entrepreneurship. With a choice between an in-person program hosted at UC Berkeley in San Francisco and an online option that allows participation from anywhere, LeanGap caters to a wide range of aspiring entrepreneurs. The program spans four weeks, featuring a full-time schedule for the in-person program and flexible class hours for the online program, accommodating students from different time zones.
7. Harvard Student Agencies Business Academy
Type: Summer Program
Age: 9th-12th grade high school students. Students must be 14+ at the time of the program to attend.
Timeline: Five day sessions between June and August
Location: Harvard University Campus
Cost: $1,450
At the Harvard Student Agencies Business Academy, students can explore entrepreneurship and business management through two distinct academies. In the Business Entrepreneurship Academy, students will learn the fundamentals of launching a business, extending their financial literacy, and diving deep into the startup ecosystem. Students will gain hands-on experience, enhance their analytical thinking, and ultimately present an innovative business idea in a startup pitch simulation to judges.
8. Michigan Ross Summer Business Academy
Type: Summer Program
Age: Current rising high school seniors. Preference given to U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Timeline: June 14 – 28
Location: University of Michigan Ross Campus
Cost: $5,000
The Michigan Ross Summer Business Academy is a two-week program designed to provide a comprehensive introduction to the inner workings of companies, the problem-solving processes of leaders, and life of a business student at Michigan Ross. This academy is particularly suited for highly motivated students from diverse backgrounds who are eager to delve into their interest in business, offering a chance to see what business is truly about. Students will gain a deeper understanding of business operations, explore potential career paths, and get an authentic college experience by learning alongside a cohort of high-achieving peers.
9. Wharton Global Youth On-Campus Programs
Type: Summer Program
Age: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Timeline: Two or three week sessions in June-August depending on your program
Location: University of Pennsylvania
Cost: Ranges from $8,000 to $11,000 depending on your program choice
The Wharton Global Youth On-Campus Programs offer an incredible opportunity to learn about various business disciplines and are designed by established Wharton faculty and instructional staff, drawing upon the latest Wharton research and teaching methods. For example, the Product Design Academy is a three-week intensive program where students will learn design thinking and product development through hands-on studio work, from identifying customer needs to designing a physical product. The Essentials of Entrepreneurship program spans two weeks and focuses on developing the ability to create innovative products and understand what it takes to be an entrepreneur.
10. Drexel University Commercial Real Estate Program
Type: Summer Program
Age: Current high school sophomores and juniors of color interested in commercial real estate
Timeline: July 13 – 22, 2025
Location: Drexel University
Cost: Full scholarships provided to all accepted students
This 10-day residential program for rising high school juniors and seniors is designed to introduce students from underrepresented populations to careers in commercial real estate. Participants in the program will learn about topics like development, investment, and brokerage while developing a foundational knowledge of key real estate concepts. They will also take part in college-readiness enrichment events and visit high-profile locations throughout Philadelphia.
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Written by Wallyson S, MehtA+ Alum & Intern