15 Business Programs for High School Students in New York
If you are a high school student, exploring business programs is a good way to gain exposure to entrepreneurship, finance, and leadership. These programs enable students to extend their classroom learning, providing them with opportunities to develop skills in teamwork, communication, and problem-solving while working on projects. Unlike costly pre-college experiences, many of these opportunities are accessible and focused on learning, making them good options for students exploring careers in business.
New York is home to prestigious universities, nonprofit organisations, and innovation hubs that run programs in business and related fields. Whether you live in the state or are an out-of-state student interested in exploring New York’s business and financial ecosystem, these programs can connect you with mentors, industry leaders, and peers who share your interests. From case competitions to startup incubators, students often participate in site visits, interactive workshops, or pitch events that mirror professional experiences.
To help you explore your options, we’ve compiled a list of 15 of the best business programs for high school students in New York.
1. Athena Summer Innovation Institute
Location: New York City, NY
Cost/Stipend: Tuition-based; financial aid information available upon request
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; limited cohort size for mentorship and collaboration
Dates: July 21 – August 8
Application Deadline: Rolling; priority deadlines in spring
Eligibility: Open to motivated high school students with an interest in entrepreneurship, innovation, and social impact
The Athena Summer Innovation Institute is a three-week entrepreneurship boot camp that focuses on developing ventures with purpose. You’ll work in teams to design a start-up, nonprofit, or advocacy campaign, moving from ideation and market research to branding, finances, and pitching. The program emphasises experiential learning, with daily workshops, team projects, and site visits to innovative startups across New York City. You’ll also receive mentorship from Barnard’s program leaders and support from the prestigious Speaking Fellows Program to strengthen your communication skills. The institute culminates in a Pitchfest, where you’ll present your venture to peers and mentors.
2. Veritas AI AI + Finance Deep Dive
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies based on program type
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohort sizes for close mentorship
Dates: Multiple 12–15 week cohorts offered in spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines for each cohort (Spring – January, Summer – May, Fall – September, Winter – November)
Eligibility: High school students with prior Python coding experience or who have completed Veritas’s AI Scholars program
The AI + Finance Deep Dive Track allows you to explore how artificial intelligence and machine learning are transforming the financial sector. You’ll participate in lectures, code walkthroughs, and hands-on projects such as using models to forecast stock prices and analyse financial data. This program emphasises the development of both technical and analytical skills, with guidance from mentors who are graduate students and industry professionals. With its rigorous structure and strong mentorship, the program provides a unique opportunity to blend business and technology while tackling financial challenges.
3. ieSoSC – Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and the Science of Smart Cities
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; NYC residents only
Dates: July 7 – August 8
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: NYC high school students (current grades 9–12), ages 15+, residents of the five boroughs
This five-week program at NYU Tandon combines entrepreneurship, engineering, and urban innovation. You’ll gain training in coding, electronics, and sensor technologies while exploring the challenges and opportunities of smart cities. Working on group projects, you’ll design and prototype solutions to problems, integrating both technical and business perspectives. The curriculum also includes entrepreneurship training, covering economics, branding, and product development, as well as theatre-based communication workshops to strengthen your pitching and presentation skills. By the end of the program, you’ll have a working prototype and a polished business pitch that reflects your vision for the future of smart cities.
4. Young Founders Lab
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies based on program type
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; limited cohort sizes for mentorship
Dates: June 5 – July 3
Application Deadline: Early Decision – March, Regular Admission 1 – April, Regular Admission 2 – May
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
The Young Founders Lab is a start-up incubator designed for high school students interested in entrepreneurship and innovation. In this program, you’ll build a revenue-generating start-up that addresses a problem while receiving mentorship from entrepreneurs and professionals from companies like Google, Microsoft, and X. Alongside developing your venture, you’ll participate in interactive classes on business fundamentals, case studies, and skill-building workshops. The program also offers panel discussions and ideation sessions to help you refine your business strategy. By the end of the program, you’ll gain not only a working prototype but also a deeper understanding of the theoretical and practical frameworks that support successful businesses.
5. High School Business Bootcamp
Location: New York City & Long Island campuses, with virtual options
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment; limited seats per session
Dates: Sessions held monthly (July–December); each session runs 1.5–2.5 hours
Application Deadline: Registration required for each session; rolling until filled
Eligibility: Open to all high school students interested in business or related fields
New York Tech’s School of Management offers a free bootcamp designed to prepare you for both college and early professional experiences. You’ll attend faculty-led workshops on topics such as personal marketing, financial literacy, real estate and stock market investing, digital tools, and strategic planning. Sessions are available online or in-person at New York Tech’s NYC and Long Island campuses, giving you flexibility in participation. Each session provides a certificate of completion that can be added to your résumé or college application.
6. Bossgirls – Zahn Innovation Center, City College of New York (CCNY)
Location: New York City, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; limited seats available
Dates: June 30 – July 31
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Open to high school girls and nonbinary students (grades 9–12) who live in the tri-state area and can commute to CCNY
Bossgirls is a free five-week entrepreneurship program designed to introduce you to the fundamentals of launching a business. You’ll work in teams to identify a problem, research the market, prototype solutions, and create a brand identity, ultimately pitching your ideas to an audience in a Shark Tank–style presentation. Along the way, you’ll attend interactive workshops, learn customer-first business strategies, and receive mentorship from entrepreneurs and professionals at Standard Chartered, the program sponsor. The program emphasises human-centred design, critical thinking, and collaboration, giving you the tools to view entrepreneurship as both a career path and a mindset.
7. Ladders for Leaders
Location: New York City, NY
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; selective application process
Dates: June–August
Application Deadline: February 3
Eligibility: Youth ages 16–24, enrolled in high school or college, and residents of one of the five NYC boroughs with prior work or volunteer experience.
This program provides students with paid summer internships at leading corporations, nonprofits, and government agencies in New York City. You’ll first complete 30 hours of pre-employment training, including résumé development, workplace readiness, and interview practice. Once placed, you’ll gain experience in industries such as finance, technology, healthcare, and media while earning a paycheck. The program also emphasises professional development by connecting you with an extensive alumni network and offering post-internship opportunities. With its competitive admissions process and wide range of placements, this program serves as a strong gateway into future careers in business and beyond.
8. Junior Achievement of New York Business Plan Competition (BPC)
Location: New York City, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; winning teams receive cash prizes and a school trophy
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited to select JA New York partner schools
Dates: Runs over several weeks in the spring semester
Application Deadline: Varies; coordinated through participating schools
Eligibility: High school students at participating JA New York partner schools
The JA New York Business Plan Competition is an intensive entrepreneurship program where you’ll work in small teams to design a viable business plan for a new product or service. You’ll develop business strategies, practice pitching, and receive mentorship from volunteer business professionals who help guide your team through the process. The program includes multiple rounds of competition, culminating in live presentations where the top three teams are awarded cash prizes and recognition. Since its launch in 2008, the BPC has provided over 7,500 students with practical training in business and entrepreneurship. With its structured curriculum and mentorship, the competition not only prepares you for entrepreneurship but also strengthens teamwork, public speaking, and problem-solving skills.
9. Futures and Options: The Internship Program
Location: New York City, NY
Cost/Stipend: Minimum $16.50/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; selective matching process
Dates: Summer (June–August); school-year internships also available
Application Deadline: Summer application opens January 5; rolling deadlines until filled
Eligibility: NYC high school students ages 16–19, currently in grades 11–12
Futures and Options connects New York City students with paid internships across industries such as business, finance, nonprofits, and government. You’ll be matched with a placement that fits your skills and goals, while receiving mentorship from program coordinators who support you throughout the internship. In addition to your on-site work, you’ll attend career readiness workshops covering resume writing, interviewing, financial literacy, and communication. The program also includes career exploration field trips to companies such as BlackRock and Infor, providing you with insight into professional pathways. With a combination of experience, skill-building sessions, and professional mentorship, this program helps you build a strong foundation for your future in business and beyond.
10. Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) New York Chapter
Location: Staten Island, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free for select chapters
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohorts for close mentorship
Dates: Academic year or summer; duration of ~7 months for year-round program; duration varies for summer
Application Deadline: To be announced
Eligibility: Open to high school students across the U.S.
The Young Entrepreneurs Academy is designed to help you transform your ideas into fully functioning businesses or social enterprises. You’ll take courses in marketing, teamwork, and strategy while working with peers to design and launch your own venture. The program also provides access to local business leaders, site visits, and mentoring opportunities to ground your ideas in real-world experience. A highlight is the chance to participate in the national Saunders Scholars Competition, where top students compete for scholarships and cash prizes.
11. University of Rochester Pre-College Business Courses
Location: Rochester, NY
Cost/Stipend: Varies by course; tuition-based
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment; small class sizes for discussion-based learning
Dates: Session A – late June to mid-July | Session B – mid-July to early August
Application Deadline: Rolling; priority deadlines typically in spring
Eligibility: Open to rising 9th–12th graders interested in business and related fields
The University of Rochester’s Pre-College Program offers a range of courses that let you explore key areas of business before college. Options include Innovation Management: The Business of New Ideas, The Basics of Investments and Careers in Finance, Language and Advertising, Introduction to Business, and Generative AI in Business. Each course is taught by university faculty and emphasises experiential learning through case studies, projects, and interactive discussions. You’ll gain exposure to topics such as entrepreneurship, finance, marketing, advertising, and AI applications in business. With small class sizes and access to Rochester’s Simon Business School faculty, this program gives you a chance to explore potential majors and career paths while developing practical skills.
12. Summer Leadership Academy
Location: Mercy University, Dobbs Ferry, NY
Cost/Stipend: $695 program fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; limited seats available
Dates: July 6–12, July 13–19, July 20–26
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; early application encouraged as spots are limited
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors with a cumulative weighted GPA of 90 or above, demonstrated leadership skills, strong public speaking ability, and an interest in business careers
This week-long residential program gives you the chance to experience college life while exploring leadership and business. You’ll participate in professional development workshops, team-building activities, and visits to Fortune 500 companies in New York City. The curriculum includes a Shark Tank–style competition where you’ll practice public speaking, pitching, and teamwork. Taught by Executive Faculty with backgrounds in global corporations, the academy blends classroom learning with exposure. With three sessions available in July, the program offers a structured yet immersive introduction to business and leadership for motivated students preparing for college and professional pathways.
13. CICER Summer High School Program in Business, Economics & Data Analytics
Location: Ithaca, NY
Cost/Stipend: Program fee TBD
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; international applicants welcome
Dates: July 13 – July 25
Application Deadline: Early bird and regular deadlines TBD
Eligibility: Rising high school students (grades 9–12); proof of English proficiency required for non-U.S. high school students
Hosted by the Cornell Institute for China Economic Research, this two-week program offers an Ivy League experience focused on business, economics, and data analytics. You’ll take interactive courses such as Behavioural & Environmental Economics, Global Strategy & Sustainable Business, and Big Data & Business Analytics, taught by Cornell faculty and researchers. The program includes a business analysis competition, a pitch contest, and academic consultations with faculty and students, as well as seminars on college admissions and career planning. Residence campers also participate in excursions to Niagara Falls, Cornell’s museums, and local landmarks.
14. Exploring Entrepreneurship
Location: Bronx & Manhattan, NY
Cost: $1,800
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; limited seats available
Dates: June 23 – June 27
Application Deadline: Refundable until May 1; limited enrollment on a first-come basis
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
Fordham’s Gabelli School of Business hosts a one-week program designed to introduce you to the entrepreneurial process from idea generation to pitching. You’ll work in small teams to develop a business model canvas, prototype a minimum viable product, and prepare a final pitch for a panel of entrepreneurs. The program combines workshops on design thinking, value propositions, and financing strategies with real-world exposure, including a visit to a startup incubator. Each day features mentoring from entrepreneurs-in-residence and interactive discussions on core topics, including marketing, team building, and pivoting strategies. Split between Fordham’s Bronx and Manhattan campuses, the program offers you a chance to experience campus life while building both entrepreneurial skills and a network of peers and professionals.
15. Cornell University Pre-College Summer Programs
Location: Ithaca, NY
Cost/Stipend: $5,520–$10,239, depending on program format, financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; varies by course and session
Dates: Summer and Winter sessions (specific dates vary by program)
Application Deadline: Varies by course; deadlines posted on Cornell’s website
Eligibility: High school students in grades 11–12 with strong academic performance and interest in business
Cornell’s Pre-College Summer Programs offer high school students the opportunity to earn college credit while exploring business-focused coursework at an Ivy League university. You can choose from residential, commuter, or online formats, making the program flexible to meet the diverse needs of students. Business course options include Introduction to Business Management, Global Business Strategy, and Strategic Management of Tech & Innovation, all taught by Cornell faculty. Beyond academics, you’ll attend networking events, guest lectures, and field trips that give you a practical sense of career pathways in business. With its rigorous curriculum and exposure to Cornell’s campus and resources, this program helps you prepare for both college applications and future professional opportunities.
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