12 Business Summer Programs for High School Students in California
If you are a high school student interested in business, participating in a structured summer program can help you explore how companies operate and how ideas turn into viable ventures. These programs often combine academic instruction with collaborative projects, case analyses, mentorship, and exposure to professionals across industries such as finance, marketing, entrepreneurship, and technology. By joining a business summer program, you can strengthen skills like leadership, communication, research, and strategic thinking while clarifying your academic and career interests.
Why should you attend a program in California?
California is home to major startups, global corporations, venture capital firms, and leading universities, making it a strong environment to study business and innovation. As a participant, you may develop business plans, analyze market trends, pitch venture ideas, or learn directly from entrepreneurs and industry professionals. Whether you are a California resident or traveling from another state, these programs provide access to dynamic business communities and diverse industries across the region.
To help you find the right fit, we’ve listed 12 business summer programs for high school students in California.
If you are interested in summer research programs in California, check out our blog here.
1. Warner Bros. Discovery Reach Honorship Program
Location: Warner Bros. Discovery Studios, Burbank, CA
Stipend: $5,000 scholarship towards college
Dates: Not specified
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High-school seniors from Burbank or Los Angeles County with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 who plan to attend an accredited college or university
The Warner Bros. Discovery Reach Honorship Program is designed for graduating high school seniors interested in exploring the business side of media and entertainment. It’s a strong option if you want to learn how corporate strategy and creative work collaborate to produce popular films, shows, and digital content. Throughout the program, you’ll explore various business functions, including finance, human resources, operations, marketing, and communications. Additionally, you'll learn about creative and technical fields, including content development, post-production, sound editing, and game design. This experience offers a comprehensive view of how a global media company operates across its corporate and creative teams.
2. Young Founders Lab
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on the program type; financial aid available
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer, fall, winter, and spring
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; you can apply here
Eligibility: High school students
The Young Founder’s Lab is a start-up boot camp founded and run by Harvard entrepreneurs. In this program, you will work to build a revenue-generating startup that addresses a complex 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 for high school students to explore the world of business and to explore multiple theoretical and practical frameworks that lead to business success.
3. Meta Summer Academy
Location: Meta headquarters, Menlo Park, CA
Stipend: Paid
Dates: June 16 – July 24
Application Deadline: February 14
Eligibility: High school sophomores who are full-year residents of East Palo Alto, Belle Haven, or Redwood City with a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA
The Meta Summer Academy (MSA) offers high school students an opportunity to explore both the technical and professional world of a major tech company. Through hands-on projects, you’ll strengthen your coding and technical skills while learning how technology contributes to economic growth and innovation. During the program, Meta professionals mentor you and introduce you to areas such as machine learning, AI, environmental science, and sustainability. While the focus is on technical skills, you’ll also get insight into business functions like marketing, operations, and finance, helping you understand the broader workings of a leading tech firm.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program – Business Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid is available
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June - August), Fall (September - December), Winter (December - February), and Spring (March - June)
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum 3.3 out of 4 GPA
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas. The program pairs high-school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as business, psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here.
5. KP LAUNCH Internship
Location: Kaiser Permanente facilities across Northern California
Stipend: Paid
Dates: June 15 – July 31
Application deadline: January 9
Eligibility: High school students who are 16 to 19 years old and living in a Northern California Kaiser Permanente service area; preference given to juniors and seniors
The KP LAUNCH program offers high school students a seven-week, full-time paid internship that provides hands-on experience in non-clinical areas of healthcare. You’ll gain practical exposure to departments such as administration, finance, communications, accounting, and project management while working within a Kaiser Permanente team that aligns with your interests. Throughout the program, you’ll contribute to real projects that support the organization’s operations and mission. In addition to on-the-job experience, you’ll take part in professional development workshops, receive guidance from industry mentors, and build your professional network.
6. NASA OSTEM Internships
Location: Remote or in-person at NASA centers across the U.S.
Stipend: The majority of interns will receive a stipend
Dates: Spring/Fall: 16 weeks | Summer: 10 weeks
Application Deadline: Summer: February 27 | Fall: May 22
Eligibility: U.S. citizens who are full-time students aged 16+ years with a GPA of 3.0+
NASA’s OSTEM Internship Program gives students the chance to gain hands-on experience in science, engineering, business, and information technology. Each year, around 2,000 students are selected to work alongside NASA professionals, including research scientists, engineers, and business specialists, who act as mentors throughout the program. While the internships primarily focus on STEM fields, some placements also provide experience in business, project management, or finance. You will also have the opportunity to tour NASA centers and present a final project showcasing your contributions and learning at the conclusion of the program.
7. UC Berkeley Business Academy for Youth
Location: University of California, Berkeley, CA
Cost: California Residents: $7,450
Dates: Session I: July 5 – July 18 | Session II: July 19 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 8
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9–12) with a passion for business
The two-week Business Academy for Youth (B-BAY) at UC Berkeley introduces you to entrepreneurship and key business principles, guided by Haas faculty and industry experts. You’ll explore areas like marketing, financial literacy, and organizational management through collaborative team projects, culminating in comprehensive business plans. The program emphasizes leadership, teamwork, and public speaking, while also covering advanced topics such as game theory and corporate social responsibility. It concludes with a business plan showcase, where you’ll present your project and receive feedback, and all participants earn a UC Berkeley Business Academy for Youth Certificate of Completion.
8. USC Pre‑College Program: Exploring Entrepreneurship Course
Location: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Residential: $11,570 (includes tuition, room, and board) | Commuter: $8,130
Dates: June 22 – July 17
Application deadline: March 13 for international students | May 8 for domestic students
Eligibility: Students who have completed at least the 10th grade when the program begins
The four-week Exploring Entrepreneurship course at USC gives you a pre-college experience that immerses you in the world of business and innovation. Through daily lectures, case studies, and hands-on projects, you’ll explore topics like marketing, personal branding, finance, operations, networking, and social impact. During the program, you’ll develop your own venture idea with guidance from USC faculty and industry mentors, learning how to turn your concept into a practical plan. Off-campus field trips give you the chance to meet Los Angeles entrepreneurs, visit local start-ups, and gain real-world insights into entrepreneurship.
9. Stanford Pre‑Collegiate Summer Institutes: Innovation & Entrepreneurship Course
Location: Virtual
Cost: $3,200; financial assistance available
Dates: Session 1: June 15 – 26 | Session 2: July 6 – 17
Application deadline: March 13
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–11
The two-week online course at Stanford introduces you to business and entrepreneurship. In the Innovation & Entrepreneurship program, you’ll learn to identify market opportunities, create prototypes, and pitch your ideas. Lectures cover design thinking, marketing, product development, business models, and venture financing. You’ll also participate in workshops and assignments to test ideas and collaborate with peers. The course concludes with a final presentation, where you’ll pitch your project and receive feedback from Stanford instructors and classmates, helping you build entrepreneurial skills and confidence.
10. Babson Summer Study
Location: Virtual track available for CA students
Cost: $6,295 + $95 application fee; scholarships available
Dates: July 8 – 28
Application deadline: Early bird deadline: February 13 | Standard deadline: March 13
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are 16 or older
Babson Summer Study offers high school students a three-week online pre-college program that allows them to earn four college credits while learning to apply entrepreneurial thinking to real-world challenges. Grounded in the United Nations Global Goals, the program focuses on driving meaningful change through social impact ventures. In the core course, Introduction to the Entrepreneurial Experience, you’ll explore key business areas such as leadership, marketing, finance, and business communication while developing your own social impact project. The program is built around Babson’s Entrepreneurial Thought & Action (ET&A) framework, which emphasizes initiative, problem-solving, and teamwork. Throughout the program, you’ll also engage with Babson faculty, alumni, and guest speakers who share real-world insights into entrepreneurship and the startup ecosystem.
11. Georgetown University's Becoming an Entrepreneur: An Inside Look at Innovation Course
Location: Online
Cost: $1,895
Dates: Sessions of varying lengths available year-round
Application deadline: Varies by session; typically, one week before the session starts
Eligibility: Students ages 13 and up
These Georgetown University courses provide a strong foundation in entrepreneurship and business creation. You’ll explore the origins and evolution of entrepreneurship, examine different business models, and learn how to build meaningful professional networks while securing support for your venture. The program also offers hands-on experience in crafting and delivering impactful business pitches, along with insights into academic and career pathways in entrepreneurial studies. A key component of the program is a capstone project in which you’ll create a video presentation that highlights your business idea and clearly communicates its value. Throughout the course, you’ll receive personalized guidance and constructive feedback from a dedicated mentor, helping you refine your ideas, strengthen your skills, and build confidence as an emerging entrepreneur.
12. Future of the Business World – Wharton Global Youth Program
Location: Online
Cost: $4,099
Dates: Session 1: June 15 – 26 | Session 2: July 6 – 17
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: High school students currently enrolled in grades 9–12 with a broad interest in business and a desire to explore various business pathways. International applicants are also welcome.
Future of the Business World, offered by the Wharton Global Youth Program at the University of Pennsylvania, is a two-week online course that explores major business trends through design thinking, scenario planning, and collaborative strategy. You’ll examine global challenges using frameworks drawn from Wharton’s undergraduate and graduate programs. The course features interactive lectures, business simulations, group projects, and guided discussions to strengthen your skills in critical thinking, communication, and teamwork. The experience concludes with a final project, in which you’ll examine emerging business trends and share your predictions about the future of the global economy.
If you’re looking to build a project/research paper in the field of AI & ML, consider applying to Veritas AI!
With Veritas AI, which was founded by Harvard graduate students, you can work 1-on-1 with mentors from universities like Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and more to create unique, personalized projects. In the past year, we had over 1000 students learn AI & ML with us. Check out a past student’s experience in the program here. You can apply here!