10 High School Incubator Programs You Should Check Out as a Young Entrepreneur
Incubator programs designed specifically for high schoolers provide the perfect platform to turn innovative ideas into viable businesses. These programs offer mentorship from industry professionals, hands-on experience in developing products and services, and the opportunity to pitch to real investors. Whether you're drawn to the thrill of startup culture, interested in solving real-world problems, or looking to get a head start on your entrepreneurial journey, these incubator programs offer valuable resources, guidance, and community support to help you succeed.
From prestigious universities to online platforms, we've curated a list of 10 high school incubator programs across the United States and online. Each program is tailored to young minds with big ideas, offering everything from week-long intensives to year-round courses. You'll learn not only the basics of starting a business but also advanced strategies in marketing, finance, product development, and more. These programs not only equip you with the entrepreneurial skills needed to launch your venture but also provide invaluable experiences that could shape your career path.
The Young Founder’s Lab is a real-world start-up bootcamp 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 having 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: The total cost to attend the 4-week program is $2900. 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: The 2024 edition of the program starts on June 5th and spans over 4-weeks.
Application Deadline: There are 3 application deadlines that you can choose between:
Early Decision Deadline: March 17th, 2024
Regular Admission Deadline 1: April 14, 2024
Regular Admission Deadline 2: May 12th, 2023
You can access the application link here!
INCubatoredu provides a comprehensive entrepreneurial experience that ends with a final pitch event, similar to "Shark Tank," where students present their business plans to a panel of entrepreneurs and business leaders. Throughout the year, students engage in hands-on learning experiences, including field trips to local businesses and guest lectures from industry professionals. This program not only teaches the nuts and bolts of starting a company but also focuses on critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration skills.
Location: Various schools across the USA
Program Dates: Academic Year
Application Deadline: Varies by school
Eligibility: High school students at participating schools
Cost: Free through participating schools
At LaunchX, students are immersed in the vibrant entrepreneurial culture at University of Michigan. The program includes workshops, mentorship sessions, and networking events with UMich lumni and other industry leaders. A major component is the team-based approach to creating a startup, encouraging collaboration and innovation. The program believes that there are 4 key stages in the entrepreneurial journey that will help budding entrepreneurs: Identification, Ideation, Iteration, and Implementation. The program ends with Demo Day, where teams pitch their startups to a panel of investors, entrepreneurs, and community members. You will leave with a better understanding of what it takes to launch a successful startup and a network of peers and mentors to support you in your entrepreneurial journey.
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Program Dates: June 30 to July 27, 2024
Application Deadline: Accepted on a rolling basis until cohort is filled
Eligibility: High school students globally
Cost: $9,970
Participants will dive into the entrepreneurial ecosystem at UC Berkeley, learning from esteemed faculty and business leaders. The program includes interactive workshops, team projects, and a final business plan competition. Students have the opportunity to explore the Silicon Valley startup culture through organized field trips to innovative companies and startups. This hands-on experience is designed to inspire and equip young entrepreneurs with the skills and confidence to pursue their business ideas.
Location: UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
Program Dates:
Session I: July 6 to 20, 2024
Session II: July 20 to August 3, 2024
Application Deadline: February 29, 2024
Eligibility: Current high school students
Cost:
California Resident: $6,050
Out of state Resident: $7,050
The HEX High Accelerator is a 6-week online program that offers a dynamic online environment where students collaborate with peers from around the globe. The program focuses on solving real-world problems through technology and innovation, guiding students through the process of building a startup from the ground up. Participants will learn about market research, product development, branding, and pitch creation. The program ends with a virtual pitch event where students showcase their startups to a global audience, including potential investors and industry experts.
Location: Virtual
Program Dates:
Term 2: April 29 to June 7, 2024
Term 3: July 22 to August 30, 2024
Application Deadline: April 10, 2024
Eligibility: Current high school students
Cost: AUD $990
This intensive program at Georgetown University offers a blend of theory and practical experience. Students participate in workshops, lectures, and group projects, gaining insights into the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship. A key feature is the opportunity to develop and refine a business idea, culminating in a pitch competition in front of real entrepreneurs and venture capitalists. Through this process, you will be able to talk to mentors that will guide you through your business idea. The program also includes visits to startups and innovation hubs in Washington D.C., providing a firsthand look at the entrepreneurial landscape.
Location: Georgetown University, Washington D.C.
Program Dates:
Session I: March 17 to 31, 2024
Session II: April 7 to May 5, 2024
Session III: May 5 to June 2, 2024
Application Deadline:
Session I: March 10, 2024
Session II: March 31, 2024
Session III: April 28, 2024
Eligibility: Current high school students
Cost: $1,795
BETA Camp students embark on a virtual entrepreneurial journey, engaging in project-based learning that covers the fundamentals of starting and running a business. This immersive experience includes mentorship from successful entrepreneurs, interactive workshops, and team challenges. The program is designed to be highly interactive, with students participating in live sessions and collaborative projects. The final deliverable is a comprehensive business plan, which students pitch to a panel of judges in a competitive setting, providing a real-world test of their ideas and execution skills.
Location: Virtual
Program Dates:
Session I: June 17 to July 16, 2024
Session II: July 8 to August 2, 2024
Session III: July 22 to August 16, 2024
Application Deadline: Accepted on a rolling basis
Eligibility: Current high school students
Cost: $3,200
This program offers high school students the chance to dive into the world of entrepreneurship at Fordham University's esteemed Gabelli School of Business. Participants will learn from faculty members and local entrepreneurs through workshops, lectures, and hands-on projects. They will work in teams to develop a business idea, focusing on innovation, market research, and financial planning. The program culminates in a pitch competition where students present their business plans to a panel of judges. Students will have the opportunity to participate in field trips to New York City to be a part of the vibrant startup ecosystem.
Location: Fordham University, New York, NY
Program Dates: June 14 to June 28, 2024
Application Deadline: April 1, 2024
Eligibility: Current school students
Cost: $1,100
Saint Louis University's Allsup Entrepreneurship Academy is an immersive experience designed to introduce high school students to the fundamentals of starting and running a business. During the program, students learn about entrepreneurship through interactive workshops, lectures from SLU faculty and local business leaders, and group projects. The highlight is a business plan competition that allows students to apply what they've learned in a real-world context. Additionally, participants can explore the entrepreneurial landscape of St. Louis through organized site visits, gaining valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities of starting a business.
Location: Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO
Program Dates: July 2024
Application Deadline: May 2024
Eligibility: Current high school students
Cost: $695
The Venture College Incubator program at Boise State University offers aspiring entrepreneurs a unique opportunity to turn their business ideas into reality. This flexible, hands-on program provides participants with mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs, access to a co-working space, and a curriculum tailored to their business needs. Students work at their own pace to develop their business model, conduct market research, and refine their product or service. The program emphasizes real-world entrepreneurship, offering workshops, networking events, and pitch opportunities to connect students with the broader business community.
Location: Boise State University, Boise, ID
Program Dates: Spring 2024
Application Deadline: March 2024
Eligibility: Current high school students
Cost: TBA
One other option - Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you would like to further enhance your applications by doing research in business and related fields, you should also consider applying to the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, a selective online high school program for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4000 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.
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: Beta Camp