7 Online Entrepreneurship Programs for Middle School Students
Middle school is the perfect time to explore your interests and develop skills that can pave the way for future success. Online entrepreneurship programs offer the opportunity to explore business, innovation, and problem-solving, all from the comfort of your home. These programs are designed to help you turn your ideas into reality. They teach essential concepts like business planning, market research, and financial strategy.
In this blog, we’ll highlight 7 online entrepreneurship programs tailored for middle schoolers.
These programs provide interactive lessons, hands-on projects, and guidance from experienced mentors. Whether you’re looking to launch a new venture or simply explore how businesses work, these programs are a good starting point.
Program Dates: Vary according to cohort
Cost: $2,400
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-8
Application Deadline: December 29, 2024, for the upcoming winter cohort
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program allows 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!
Location: Virtual
Program Dates: The 2025 dates are yet to be announced
Cost: $425
Eligibility: Students aged 7-15
Application Deadline: None specified. Register here
Moolah U is a week-long program that helps middle school students create and run their own businesses. You will identify a customer need, develop a business plan, and tackle real-world challenges, all while earning actual money. Through interactive online sessions, you will collaborate with business mentors to learn key skills like budgeting, market research, and effective communication.
The program includes daily morning and afternoon Zoom sessions, complemented by mid-day “office hours” for personalized mentorship to help you refine your ideas and strategies. You will learn money management, develop problem-solving abilities, and practice negotiations and pitching your products to adults. By the end of the week, you will not only gain business experience but also build essential life skills.
Location: Virtual
Program Dates: June 9 – 20, 2025
Cost: $2,795
Eligibility: Middle school students between the ages of 12 and 14
Application Deadline: The 2025 deadline has not been published yet
The Discover Business Academy is a two-week program for middle school students interested in business and economics. The program introduces you to foundational concepts in economics, finance, marketing, leadership, and business law. Through practical examples and engaging lessons, you will develop entrepreneurial skills like business planning, financial management, and market analysis.
The program includes ten live group sessions and two one-on-one tutorials, offering personalized guidance. You will receive a certificate of completion and a letter of recommendation at the end of the course. Additionally, you can retain access to session recordings for future reference.
Location: Local FBLA Chapters and online
Program Dates: July 25 – August 1, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Cost:
Membership Fee: $10
State Dues: $5 to $15 (varies by state)
Eligibility: Middle school students
Application Deadline: May 25, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Middle school students participating in FBLA programs experience the fundamentals of business leadership through workshops. You will develop essential skills as you explore business ethics, create marketing strategies, and learn financial management. The program includes collaborative projects such as working through real-world business challenges. Competitive events provide opportunities for you to demonstrate your abilities. Students interested in the program are encouraged to connect with their school's FBLA chapter to learn more.
Location: Virtual
Program Dates: Students can choose between multiple 2 and 4-week sessions
Cost: $1,795
Eligibility: Middle school students in 8th grade who are at least 13 years old
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis
Northwestern's pre-college program offers students the chance to explore business concepts such as marketing, sales, finance, and product development. You will gain practical skills essential for successful business leadership. Through activities and group projects, you will address real-world challenges, including creating an innovative product concept under the mentorship of a “CEO.”
The program pairs you with business leaders who share their expertise in areas like organizational design, business planning, operational management, and supply chain dynamics. The program culminates in a Final Capstone Project which you will showcase before a panel of industry experts. Upon completion, you will earn a Certificate of Completion from Northwestern University.
Location: Virtual
Program Dates: Varies based on selected class
Cost: $5 to $40 per week; varies based on selected class
Eligibility: Middle school students
Application Deadline: Varies based on selected class
Middle school students can learn about the basics of starting and running businesses through Outschool's online courses. Expert teachers lead classes covering topics like planning a business, attracting customers, and managing money. You will gain hands-on experience by creating your own business ideas, designing company logos, and working on business challenges. Whether you prefer learning with others, working at your own pace, or getting one-on-one guidance, there are Outschool courses that fit your learning style.
Location: Virtual
Program Dates: Self-paced, can take anywhere from 2-10 weeks, depending on how the student approaches the content
Cost: $50
Eligibility: Open to middle school students
Application Deadline: None
VentureLab’s Entrepreneurship 101 for Middle School is an online program designed to give young learners entrepreneurial skills and a problem-solving mindset. Through ten segments, you will explore the building blocks of entrepreneurship and business creation. You will learn how to understand customers' wants, build test products, and plan successful businesses. You will brainstorm your own business ideas, craft simple product models, and practice presenting your vision to others.
Throughout the program, you will demonstrate what you’ve learned through interactive challenges and personal reflection exercises. You will track your progress in idea journals and participate in knowledge checks that reinforce key business concepts. The final grade reflects both your creative business ideas and your understanding of core entrepreneurial principles.
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.