6 Online Entrepreneurship Programs for High School Students
Online entrepreneurship programs offer high school students a blend of flexibility and opportunity, making them a compelling choice for those who want to explore entrepreneurship on their own terms. By combining coursework with real-world applications, these programs help you develop skills in problem-solving, decision-making, and financial literacy.Â
Additionally, online entrepreneurship programs can help you connect with peers from diverse backgrounds. Collaborating on projects and exchanging ideas with peers fosters creativity and cultural awareness, further enhancing your entrepreneurial mindset. These programs prepare you for college by developing your independence and equipping you to take on leadership roles.
Here are 6 great online entrepreneurship programs for high school students!
Cost: The total cost to attend the 4-week program is $2,900. There is need-based financial aid.
Location: This program is 100% virtual, with live, interactive workshops
Eligibility: The program is currently open to all high school students
Program Dates: Vary according to cohort.Â
The Young Founder’s Lab is a real-world start-up boot camp founded and run by Harvard entrepreneurs. In this program, you will work towards building a revenue-generating start-up that addresses a real-world problem. You will also have the opportunity to be mentored by established entrepreneurs and professionals from Google, Microsoft, and X. Apart from building the start-up itself, you will also participate in interactive classes on business fundamentals and business ideations, workshops, and skill-building sessions, case studies, panel discussions, and more. The program is an excellent opportunity to delve into the world of business in high school and have a space to explore multiple theoretical as well as practical frameworks that lead to a successful business. You can check out the brochure for the program here.
Cost: $6,295 + $95 application fee. There is limited need-based financial aid for full and partial scholarships.Â
Location: OnlineÂ
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in March.Â
Program Dates: Typically early July to late July.Â
Eligibility: Open to rising high school juniors and seniors.
The Babson Summer Study is a three-week program for high school students who want to develop an entrepreneurial mindset. By exploring leadership, marketing, finance, and business communication, you will gain a foundation in business while earning four college credits from Babson. A key focus of the program is the United Nations Global Goals, encouraging you to address real-world challenges. This program provides a chance to join a global community of like-minded peers. You will connect with Babson faculty, alumni, and students through panels, presentations, and interactive sessions. The experience is enriched by insights from leaders within Babson’s network. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here. Â
Cost: $2,795
Location: Online
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Program Dates: June 23 - July 4; July 14 - July 25
Eligibility: Open to ages 15-18
The World Business Academy is a two-week program offering an introduction to high-level concepts in economics, business, and finance. Taught by Dr. Gerard H. Dericks, an instructor from institutions like the London School of Economics and Oxford, the curriculum covers microeconomics, marketing, investment strategies, data analytics, game theory, and entrepreneurial challenges. You will explore the foundational principles of accounting, market dynamics, branding strategies, and data interpretation while working on real-world projects like a Mini-MBA. You will receive study resources and a letter of recommendation upon successful completion.Â
Cost: $1,990 tuition + $35 application feeÂ
Location: VirtualÂ
Application Deadline: Rolling application deadlineÂ
Program Dates: 20 - 25 hours to be completed at the student's own pace; students are expected to complete the course in two to four weeks.
Eligibility: Open to students 14 years or olderÂ
This course offers an introduction to entrepreneurship, covering topics such as market analysis, business model differentiation, customer value creation, small business finance, and venture management. You will develop essential skills like practicing an entrepreneurial mindset, raising funds, and strategically pitching business plans. The program emphasizes ethical leadership, team motivation, and methods for understanding competition and market sizing to establish a successful business. The course combines lectures, business case studies, and industry examples. By the end of the program, you will be able to analyze markets, identify growth opportunities, and understand how to lead ventures.
Cost: $6,995Â
Location: VirtualÂ
Application Deadline: March 1; Priority Deadline: November 15
Program Dates: June 30 - August 1
Eligibility: Open to high school students
LaunchX is an entrepreneurship program with an acceptance rate of 10-20%, offering students an experience in building and launching their own startups. You will work with peers as co-founders and receive guidance from mentors. The program combines elements of an accelerator, a startup conference, and a summer internship. Sessions are led by industry professionals, including CEOs, attorneys, and innovators. 70% of LaunchX alumni are actively involved in startups and 15% of ventures founded during the program are still operating.Â
Cost: Program Fee (TBD) + Registration fee ($350) + IEI Fee ($61) + Document Fee ($50) for first-time Summer Sessions studentsÂ
Location: VirtualÂ
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in June
Program Dates: Dates have not been released yet, but two weeks in the summer.Â
Eligibility: Open to 10th-12th graders; applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale to be eligible.
This program provides students with an opportunity to explore social entrepreneurship, focusing on the creation of social enterprises and non-profit organizations. You will design your own social welfare initiative and learn the fundamentals of starting, managing, and growing non-profit organizations and businesses with social impact. The program is divided into two phases. In the first phase, you will explore key concepts for researching and developing mission-driven ventures. Then you will work in teams to develop your social startup ideas.
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.Â