8 Free Business Programs for Middle School Students
- Stephen Turban
- Oct 16
- 6 min read
If you’re a middle school student, participating in a business program can ignite interest in entrepreneurship, enhance financial literacy, and help you develop essential leadership skills. These free programs give you opportunities to engage in hands-on projects and receive mentorship from experienced professionals, all without the barrier of cost!
Below is a curated list of 8 business programs designed for middle school students. These programs are either fully funded or offer financial aid. Each offers unique experiences to foster creativity, critical thinking, and a strong foundation in business principles.
8 Free Business Programs for Middle School Students
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program, offered by Lumiere Education, is designed to introduce middle school students to the fundamentals of business and entrepreneurship in an engaging and interactive environment. The program combines online learning with hands-on projects to provide a comprehensive understanding of key business concepts. Students participate in weekly interactive workshops covering topics such as entrepreneurship, marketing strategies, financial management, and leadership skills. Each week includes practical assignments where students develop their own business ideas, conduct market research, and create marketing campaigns.
Additionally, the program features mentorship from industry professionals who provide personalized guidance and feedback. Collaborative team projects encourage teamwork and effective communication, while virtual networking events allow students to connect with peers and business experts. The 8-week program culminates in presentations to industry professionals, allowing students to showcase their projects and receive valuable feedback.
Location: Remote
Eligibility: 6th–8th grade students
Application Deadline: November 24 for the upcoming winter cohort
Program Dates: Varies according to cohort
Cost: Varies by programs (need-based financial aid available)
The Girls Crushing It program empowers girls ages 8-18 with skills in entrepreneurship, leadership, and business management. Through interactive workshops, participants learn to develop business ideas, design products, and implement marketing strategies. The program features an Entrepreneurship 101 workshop, where students create real businesses and prepare to sell their products at a community pop-up shop, fostering real-world skills in financial transactions and customer engagement. Advanced workshops include merchandising, scalability, and mentorship from industry leaders, building confidence, leadership, and resilience in a supportive community. Scholarships are available, ensuring accessibility for all participants, making this a valuable opportunity for aspiring young entrepreneurs.
Subject Areas: Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Finance
Location: Hybrid (virtual workshops and in-person events in Lafayette, CA)
Program Fee: $195 (tuition covers workshops and materials; additional fees may apply for pop-up participation)
Application Deadline: Please visit the website for the latest deadline
Eligibility: Middle school girls (grades 6–8)
Program Dates: Rolling
Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) guides middle school students through the process of starting their own businesses. The program covers comprehensive aspects of business planning, marketing strategies, financial management, and pitching ideas to potential investors. Students collaborate in teams to develop innovative business ideas, create detailed business plans, and prepare for a final pitch presentation.
The curriculum includes a mix of workshops, mentorship sessions, and access to online resources, supporting entrepreneurial development from ideation to execution. By the end of the program, participants will have a fully developed business plan and the skills necessary to present their ventures confidently to a panel of judges.
Subject Areas: Entrepreneurship, Business Planning, Marketing, Finance
Eligibility: Middle school students (grades 6–8)
Location & Application Deadlines:
YEA! Baton Rouge (Baton Rouge, LA): August 18
YEA! Frisco (Frisco, TX): August 16
YEA! Tulane–New Orleans (New Orleans, LA): September 2
YEA! Boca Raton (Boca Raton, FL): September 13
YEA! Rochester at Golisano Institute (Rochester, NY): September 20
YEA! Philadelphia (Philadelphia, PA): September 25
Program Dates: July 22 – August 2
Fees: Varies by location
Cohort Size: Approximately 25 students per session
Ladder Internships, created by Harvard alumni, offers middle school and high school students the chance to intern with startups and nonprofits worldwide. Interns work on real-world projects, assisting with marketing campaigns, financial planning, and operational tasks. The program includes mentorship from experienced business professionals, offering practical experience and insights into the business world.
Additionally, students participate in virtual meetings, skill-building workshops, and collaborative projects that enhance their understanding of business operations and develop essential workplace skills. The internships are designed to provide a hands-on learning environment where students can apply theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios, fostering both personal and professional growth.
Subject Areas: Business Development, Marketing, Finance, Management
Location: Virtual (work from anywhere globally)
Eligibility: Open to grade 8 students and above; mentorship available
Application Deadline:
Summer cohort: April 14 (Regular Admission 1) | May 12 (Regular Admission 2)
Winter cohort: November 24
Program Dates:
Summer cohort: June onwards
Winter cohort: December 16
Fees: Varies by program; financial aid available
Cohort Size: Approximately 20 students per session
The UC Berkeley Business Academy for Youth (B-BAY) offers an immersive introduction to the world of business and entrepreneurship for middle school students. Participants learn directly from UC Berkeley faculty through engaging lectures that cover a broad range of business topics, such as entrepreneurship, marketing, financial literacy, and leadership. The program includes interactive workshops and hands-on projects where students develop their own business ideas, conduct market research, and create marketing strategies. Students collaborate on team projects, gaining practical skills in business planning and presentation.
The residential option provides field trips to local businesses, giving students an inside look at various industries, while networking events with entrepreneurs and business leaders offer opportunities to form valuable connections. Virtual participants have access to live online sessions, collaborative tools, and one-on-one virtual mentorship, ensuring an inclusive and interactive experience. By the end of the program, participants will have built their leadership skills, enhanced their financial literacy, and gained the confidence to pursue future business endeavors.
Eligibility: Middle school students (grades 6–8)
Dates: June 10 – June 21
Cost: $3,640 (California residents) | $4,160 (out-of-state residents)
Subject Areas: Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Financial Literacy, Leadership
Location: UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA (residential and virtual options)
Application Deadline: March 15
Cohort Size: Approximately 25 students
FBLA Junior offers programs focused on developing leadership and business skills among middle school students. The activities include leadership training sessions, business simulations, and participation in local and national competitions that challenge students' business acumen and strategic thinking. The program emphasizes teamwork, ethical decision-making, and effective communication through various business-related challenges and projects.
Additionally, students have opportunities to attend workshops and seminars led by business professionals, enhancing their understanding of business operations and leadership roles. These experiences help students build confidence and develop essential skills required for future business endeavors.
Subject Areas: Business Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Finance
Location: Local chapters and online
Eligibility: Middle school students (grades 6–8)
Application Deadline: May 25
Program Dates: July 25 – August 1
Cost:
Membership Fee: $10
State Dues: $5–$15 (varies by state)
Cohort Size: Varies by chapter, typically 15–30 students
Prequel Explore, previously known as Beta Camp, is an eight-month immersive program tailored for middle school students, offering virtual 90-minute workshops each week. The curriculum consists of four distinct courses, each lasting two months, and students have the flexibility to enroll in any combination of courses or complete all four.
Each course is structured around a hands-on project:
Entrepreneurship: Students work to establish a small business, aiming to generate at least $100 in profit. Previous projects have included pop-up stalls, Etsy products, and custom apparel businesses.
Communication: Participants interview someone they admire, using this opportunity to gain insights and create newsletters or write articles for school magazines.
Leadership & Teamwork: Through a unique challenge, students attempt to complete Harvard Business School’s Everest teamwork simulation, developing essential leadership skills along the way.
Resourcefulness & Grit: This course guides students through building a video game using AI tools, helping them learn resilience and problem-solving skills.
Eligibility: Middle school students aged 9–13
Dates: Starts October 1
Cost: $425 per month (one course, two months); $2,975 (all courses, eight months). Financial aid available
Subject Areas: Entrepreneurship, Communication, Leadership, Resourcefulness
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: Rolling
Cohort Size: Approximately 20–30 students
One more option—The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is a program for middle school students to work one-on-one with a mentor to explore their academic interests and build a project they are passionate about. Our mentors are scholars from top research universities such as Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Yale, Duke, and LSE.
The program was founded by a Harvard & Oxford PhD who met as undergraduates at Harvard. The program is rigorous and fully virtual. We offer need-based financial aid for students who qualify. You can find the application in the brochure! To learn more, you can reach out to our Director, Dhruva, at dhruva.bhat@lumiere.education, or go to our website.
Multiple rolling deadlines for JEP cohorts across the year, you can apply using this application link! If you'd like to take a look at the upcoming cohorts + deadlines, you can refer to this page!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. 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.
Image Source - UC Berkeley logo