Summers during high school are often seen as a time to unwind, recharge, and step away from the usual academic routine. But entrepreneurship summer programs in California for high school students can turn that time into something far more ambitious, giving you the chance to build ideas of your own, understand how businesses grow, and learn alongside students who are just as driven and curious.

Imagine working on your own startup idea in the heart of innovation hubs, pitching to real investors, and learning directly from industry experts who’ve built successful ventures. From Silicon Valley to top university campuses, California provides an environment where creativity, risk-taking, and innovation thrive.

Whether you’re curious about launching a business, interested in leadership, or eager to understand how ideas turn into impactful ventures, these programs give you a hands-on introduction to entrepreneurship. You won’t just study concepts; you’ll apply them, test your ideas, and gain insights into the fast-paced world of startups.

What are entrepreneurship summer programs in California for high school students?

These programs are offered by leading universities and organizations, covering areas like business strategy, innovation, finance, marketing, and startup development. Some are beginner-friendly, while others are designed for students who already have a business idea they want to pursue.

You’ll engage in workshops, collaborate on projects, and receive mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs and instructors. Along the way, you’ll build critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills. Of course, not all programs deliver the same level of depth or value. Some may lean more toward surface-level exposure rather than meaningful, hands-on learning. That’s why choosing the right program matters.

To help you get started, we’ve curated a list of 15 Entrepreneurship Summer Programs in California for High School Students. They’ve been selected for their practical learning opportunities, mentorship quality, and strong track records in nurturing young innovators.

For professional opportunities, you can explore entrepreneurship internships. For more subject options, you can check out summer programs in California. 

15 Entrepreneurship Summer Programs in California for High School Students

1. UC Berkeley Business Academy for Youth (B-BAY)

Location: University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business, Berkeley, California, USA
Cost/Stipend: Approx. $7,450 – $7,950 for the 2-week summer program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Session 1: July 5th – July 18th | Session 2: July 19th – August 1st
Application Deadline: March-April
Eligibility: Open to rising 10th-12th-grade high school students. International students are allowed (they are classified as non-resident applicants and can apply, with payment options like wire transfer available)

As one of the most well-known entrepreneurship summer programs in California for high school students, UC Berkeley Business Academy for Youth lets you explore the intersection of business, innovation, and creative industries through structured coursework and collaborative projects at Berkeley Haas. The program introduces you to core concepts such as entrepreneurship, marketing, and product development, while encouraging you to apply creative thinking to real-world business challenges. You will work in teams to develop and pitch business ideas, gaining exposure to ideation, storytelling, and presentation skills.

Faculty-led sessions and mentorship provide insight into how creativity connects with market strategy and consumer behavior. Through this experience, you build analytical, communication, and collaboration skills that align with future business or interdisciplinary academic pathways, particularly in areas where creativity and entrepreneurship overlap.

Why it stands out: You gain exposure to a leading business school environment while developing both entrepreneurial and creative thinking skills, with a strong emphasis on teamwork, real-world application, and structured project-based learning.

2. Immerse Education’s San Francisco Entrepreneurship Summer School 

Location: University of California, Berkeley
Cost/Stipend: Non-residential: ~£5,995 | Residential: ~£7,495 | Residential + online add-on: ~£9,516. Summer school scholarship available through our bursary programme
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; an average of 7 participants per class
Dates: 5th July – 18th July, and 19th July – 1st August
Application Deadline: Not explicitly specified
Eligibility: Open to students aged 15-18. No prior subject knowledge required. Open to international students (the program hosts students from 100+ countries and is designed as a global cohort)

You can explore the fundamentals of entrepreneurship through a structured curriculum that blends academic instruction with practical application in a global business hub. The program introduces key concepts such as startup development, market analysis, and innovation strategy, often taught by experienced tutors and industry professionals. You engage in workshops, case studies, and collaborative projects that simulate real-world entrepreneurial challenges.

Exposure to San Francisco’s startup ecosystem allows you to understand how ideas move from concept to execution. You may also participate in networking opportunities and site visits that connect learning to industry practice. This experience helps you build analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills relevant to future business or economics studies.

Why it stands out: Its location in San Francisco provides direct exposure to a leading global startup ecosystem, allowing you to connect classroom learning with real-world innovation and gain insight into entrepreneurial practices within a major technology and business hub.

3. USC Exploring Entrepreneurship

Location: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
Cost/Stipend: $7,000-$11,000, depending on housing
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 22nd – July 17th
Application Deadline: Not explicitly stated
Eligibility: Open to high school students (USC Pre-College Summer Programs are designed for students still in high school). Requires strong academic ability, English proficiency, and readiness for college-level coursework. International students are allowed (USC Pre-College programs generally accept international applicants, provided they meet English proficiency requirements)

You can explore the fundamentals of entrepreneurship through a structured introduction to business ideation, market research, and startup development. The program guides you in identifying real-world problems and developing viable solutions while learning how to evaluate target audiences and competitive landscapes. You engage in collaborative projects where you build and refine a business concept, often culminating in a final pitch presentation.

Along the way, you gain exposure to core entrepreneurial skills such as communication, critical thinking, and decision-making. The curriculum is designed to reflect real startup processes, helping you understand how ideas move from concept to execution. This experience can strengthen your academic profile if you are interested in business, innovation, or related college majors.

Why it stands out: You gain early exposure to startup thinking in a structured university setting, with a focus on practical business development and pitching—helping you connect entrepreneurial concepts to real-world applications and future academic pathways.

4. USC Introduction to Business

Location: Hosted at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
Cost/Stipend: Approx. $6,000-$8,500+ (no stipend; paid program)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 22nd – July 17th
Application Deadline: International students: March 13th | Domestic students: May 8th
Eligibility: Open to high school students who have completed at least 9th grade. Students should be enrolled in a rigorous academic curriculum. International students are eligible but must demonstrate English proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo, etc.)

You can explore core concepts in business through the Introduction to Business program at USC, where you are introduced to areas such as marketing, finance, entrepreneurship, and management. The curriculum is designed to help you understand how businesses operate in real-world contexts, often through case studies and collaborative projects. You can engage with faculty and industry-informed coursework that highlights decision-making, problem-solving, and strategic thinking.

The program also provides exposure to the academic expectations of studying business at a university level. By participating, you can begin to assess your interest in business-related majors and careers while building foundational knowledge that supports future studies in commerce, economics, or entrepreneurship.

Why it stands out: It offers early exposure to a university-level business curriculum at USC, combining academic instruction with practical case-based learning, helping you build foundational skills relevant to future business studies and career exploration.

5. UCLA Anderson High School Summer Discovery

Location: Hosted at the University of California, Los Angeles in Los Angeles
Cost/Stipend: Tuition ranges from $4,194 – $14,099 depending on program length (2-5+ weeks); no stipend provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Flexible summer sessions: 2-week, 3-week, or extended (up to ~5-6 weeks) options | Exact yearly dates: Not specified (released later each year) 
Application Deadline: Not explicitly stated
Eligibility: Open to high school students in grades 9-12. No explicit restriction mentioned regarding nationality → international students are likely eligible (typical for Summer Discovery programs, but not explicitly confirmed on this page). Designed for students interested in business, media, entertainment, or sports industries

The program introduces you to core business concepts through specialised academies in areas like entrepreneurship, marketing, and business strategy. You learn how companies operate by analysing real-world case studies, developing business ideas, and understanding market dynamics. Through hands-on projects, you build skills in leadership, teamwork, and strategic decision-making.

You’re taught by university faculty and industry professionals, giving you insight into how business principles are applied in fast-moving industries. The program is designed to give you a practical understanding of business while strengthening your problem-solving and analytical abilities. By the end, you gain a clearer perspective on business careers and how to approach building and managing successful ventures.

Why it stands out: It combines business education with real industry exposure in media, entertainment, and sports, helping you learn directly from professionals through case studies, projects, and site visits in Los Angeles.

6. Stanford Summer Session: Business & Entrepreneurship

Location: Hosted at the UCLA Anderson School of Management, Los Angeles
Cost/Stipend: Tuition ranges from $4,194 – $14,099 depending on program length; no stipend mentioned
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Flexible sessions of 2, 3, or up to 5 weeks during summer (exact dates released annually)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Open to high school students in grades 9-12. The program does not explicitly restrict nationality, and since it is a paid pre-college program, international students are generally eligible (though visa requirements may apply)

Known as one of the more prestigious entrepreneurship summer programs in California for high school students, the Stanford Summer Session – Learner Entrepreneurs track allows you to explore entrepreneurship through college-level courses focused on innovation, startups, and business strategy. You engage with subjects such as technology entrepreneurship, design thinking, and management while learning how to develop and scale new ideas.

Through project-based learning, you build skills in problem-solving, market analysis, and product development, often applying concepts to real-world startup scenarios. The program also connects you to Stanford’s innovation ecosystem, giving you insight into how entrepreneurship operates in Silicon Valley. By the end, you develop a stronger understanding of how to turn ideas into viable ventures while building practical business and leadership skills.

Why it stands out: You’ll be learning entrepreneurship in the heart of Silicon Valley, where you can test ideas, prototype solutions, and study innovation using the same frameworks that drive real startups, all while taking Stanford-level courses alongside a global cohort.

7. Loyola Marymount University – Intro to Entrepreneurship

Location: Hosted on campus at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California, United States
Cost/Stipend: Program cost is $6,500 + $65 application fee (includes tuition, housing, meals, materials, and activities); no stipend mentioned
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 21st – July 3rd
Application Deadline: March 15th
Eligibility: Aimed at rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors (typically Grades 10-12). Applicants must submit transcripts, a recommendation, and an essay. The program is open to international students, but they must provide TOEFL scores if English is not their primary language

You can explore the fundamentals of entrepreneurship through a structured pre-college experience led by faculty from LMU’s College of Business Administration. Over two weeks, you are introduced to the process of building a business, from ideation to execution, while working on both individual and group-based projects. You engage in collaborative learning, develop leadership and problem-solving skills, and apply business concepts in practical settings.

The program culminates in presenting your venture ideas to entrepreneurial professionals, offering exposure to real-world feedback. By participating, you gain insight into business school expectations and strengthen skills relevant to future studies in entrepreneurship, management, or related fields.

Why it stands out: Its residential format in Los Angeles, combined with project-based learning and final presentations to real entrepreneurial leaders, offers you direct exposure to a major startup ecosystem while building practical business skills.

8. University of the Pacific Business Camp

Location: Hosted at the University of the Pacific, Stockton, California, United States
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Session 1: June 1st – June 11th | Session 2: June 16th – June 26th
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Open to high school students (pre-college level participants). Designed for students interested in exploring college-level subjects like business and entrepreneurship. The official page does not explicitly restrict international students, and such U.S. pre-college programs are generally open to both domestic and international high school students, though students must arrange travel and visas independently

You can explore foundational business concepts through the Business Camp at the University of the Pacific, designed as an introductory pre-college experience. The program exposes you to areas such as marketing, management, entrepreneurship, and finance through interactive sessions and project-based learning.

You can expect to engage in case studies, group discussions, and hands-on activities that simulate real-world business scenarios. The curriculum is structured to help you understand how business decisions are made and how different functions within an organization connect. You also gain insight into college-level coursework and campus life, which can help you assess your interest in pursuing business as a future major or career path.

Why it stands out: It stands out for offering a concise, hands-on introduction to multiple business disciplines while also providing early exposure to a university environment, helping you evaluate both academic and career interests in business.

9. UC Davis Emerging Leaders in Business

Location: Online (with administrative base at University of California, Davis Continuing and Professional Education, California, USA)
Cost/Stipend: Approx. $4,995 – $6,995 depending on format (commuter vs residential for related pre-college programs)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 7th
Application Deadline: Not listed
Eligibility: Open to high school students (incoming freshmen to graduating seniors). Typically designed for college-bound students interested in business, tech, or STEM fields. International students are eligible (UC Davis CPE offers programs for students “from around the world”)

You can explore creative writing within a broader creative and professional context through UC Davis’ pre-college and continuing education offerings. The program structure emphasizes project-based learning, allowing you to develop writing skills alongside critical thinking, communication, and storytelling techniques. You engage in interactive coursework that may include analyzing texts, producing original pieces, and participating in peer feedback.

The curriculum connects creative expression with real-world applications, helping you understand how writing functions across industries such as media, business, and digital platforms. Through guided instruction and structured activities, you build a portfolio of work while gaining exposure to interdisciplinary approaches that can support future college studies in humanities, communication, or creative fields.

Why it stands out: The program integrates creative writing with practical, career-oriented skills through project-based learning, allowing you to explore storytelling alongside business and technology contexts in a flexible, online pre-college format.

10. Silicon Valley Exchange Program (SVEP)

Location: Hosted in Silicon Valley, California, United States
Cost/Stipend: Around $2000 program fee; partially funded scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: May 11-14
Application Deadline: Rolling / “apply as soon as possible.”
Eligibility: Open to high school students, university students, gap-year students, and early-stage entrepreneurs with an interest in innovation and entrepreneurship. Strong English skills are required. The program is open to international students worldwide

You can explore the intersection of entrepreneurship, innovation, and creative industries through an immersive short-term experience in Silicon Valley. The program offers hands-on workshops in ideation, design thinking, and business modeling, along with exposure to how creative concepts are transformed into scalable ventures. You engage with industry experts and gain insights into storytelling, pitching, and product development.

The curriculum includes visits to major tech companies and universities, helping you understand how creativity drives innovation in real-world contexts. This experience can support your college trajectory by strengthening your profile in interdisciplinary fields such as business, media, and technology.

Why it stands out: It combines entrepreneurship training with real-world exposure to leading tech companies, allowing you to see how creative ideas evolve into impactful ventures while building global networks in the heart of Silicon Valley.

11. Foundation for Teaching Economics Economics for Leaders Program (EFL) 

Location: Hosted at multiple university campuses across the United States (varies by site)
Cost/Stipend: ~$2,000 – $2,800 (residential, includes tuition + room & board) | ~$900 (virtual option) | Scholarships available ($100 – $2,000), but primarily for U.S. students
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~25-40 students per site (competitive admission)
Dates: ~1 week long (typically Monday – Saturday during summer)
Application Deadline: Early: February 11th | Priority: March 18th | Final: April 15th
Eligibility: Open to current high school sophomores and juniors. Requires application materials (transcript, recommendation, and essays). International students are eligible to apply (for both in-person and virtual programs), but must meet English proficiency requirements and handle their own visa arrangements. Limited or no scholarship funding is typically available for non-U.S. students

You can explore key economic concepts and leadership principles through the Economics for Leaders program, a one-week residential experience hosted on university campuses. The program combines interactive lectures on topics such as supply and demand, incentives, and public policy with leadership training exercises. You participate in simulations, group discussions, and decision-making activities that emphasize real-world applications of economics.

A central component is the “trading game,” where you apply economic reasoning in a competitive environment. The program is designed to strengthen analytical thinking, public speaking, and collaborative problem-solving skills. It can support your academic trajectory if you are considering studies in economics, business, or public policy. Exposure to campus life also provides insight into the college experience.

Why it stands out: The program integrates economics theory with leadership training through hands-on simulations, allowing you to apply concepts in real time while developing decision-making and teamwork skills in a short, intensive format.

12. Los Angeles Urban League Biz Camp

Location: Hosted in Los Angeles (Hybrid: in-person + virtual sessions; main site at Jackie Tatum Harvard Park)
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Biz Institute (year-round program): Saturdays, January 10th – May 30th | Biz Camp (summer program): June 22nd – July 10th (Mon-Fri, daytime)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Open to students aged 13-18. Designed for students with a business idea or interest in entrepreneurship. Requires a completed application and mandatory parent + student interview. Primarily a local Los Angeles–based program (in-person components required), and there is no indication that it is open to international students

Los Angeles Urban League Biz Camp is a strong example of how entrepreneurship summer programs in California for high school students can combine business learning with creative exploration. The program introduces you to foundational business concepts while allowing you to apply them within creative fields, helping you understand how ideas can be developed into viable ventures.

You can expect workshops, mentorship, and collaborative activities that build both creative and entrepreneurial skills. The experience supports your ability to think critically about content creation, audience engagement, and monetization. It can also help you strengthen communication and project development skills relevant to future academic and career pathways.

Why it stands out: It combines entrepreneurship education with creative disciplines like writing, allowing you to build both artistic and business skills in a practical, youth-focused learning environment.

13. University of Southern California Pre-College Programs: Building Sustainable Businesses 

Location: Hosted at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
Cost/Stipend: Approx. $7,401 tuition + $300 materials + $325 program fee | ~$12,200 total for residential international students (including housing, insurance, and fees)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 22nd – July 17th
Application Deadline: Domestic: May 8th | International: March 13th
Eligibility: Open to high school students who have completed at least Grade 9. Students should be pursuing a rigorous academic curriculum. International students ARE eligible, but must meet visa and English proficiency requirements

You can explore how businesses respond to climate change and environmental challenges through this college-level course. The program introduces how industries such as energy, food, transportation, and manufacturing are being redesigned with sustainability in mind. You will examine real-world case studies and learn how companies improve environmental performance while maintaining profitability. The curriculum also focuses on emerging business models, sustainable product design, and shifting consumer behavior.

Through discussions, projects, and exposure to industry perspectives, you can develop an understanding of how environmental and economic systems intersect. This experience can help you connect business concepts with global challenges, offering a foundation for future study in sustainability, entrepreneurship, or environmental economics.

Why it stands out: This program connects sustainability with practical business strategy, allowing you to analyze real industries and emerging models while understanding how environmental challenges directly shape innovation, entrepreneurship, and future economic systems.

14. Incredicamps: Entrepreneurship Creative Quest

Location: Multiple locations across the United States (e.g., community centers and schools in states like California, New Jersey, Washington)
Cost/Stipend: Typically around $200 – $362 per week, depending on location, duration (half-day/full-day), and specific camp module; no stipend provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Offered in weekly sessions throughout summer (June-August); each session usually lasts 1 week (Monday-Friday)
Application Deadline: Not explicitly specified (rolling registration until spots fill)
Eligibility: Aimed at students aged 7-13. Open to boys and girls (co-ed). The program is designed for local enrollment at specific camp locations; no clear indication that it is structured for international students traveling independently (primarily a U.S.-based day camp)

You can explore storytelling, narrative development, and creative expression through the Creative Writing track within IncrediQuest’s Creative Industries program. The curriculum introduces you to core writing techniques, including character building, plot structuring, and stylistic experimentation, often guided by mentors with industry experience.

You may engage in workshops, peer feedback sessions, and collaborative projects that help refine your writing voice. Through structured activities and mentorship, you can build a portfolio of written work. This experience can support your academic interests in the humanities and creative disciplines, while strengthening communication and critical thinking skills.

Why it stands out: IncrediQuest combines creative writing with exposure to real-world creative industries, allowing you to connect storytelling skills with practical applications like media, publishing, and collaborative content development in an international learning environment.

15. San Francisco, CA: Innovation and Startup Culture 

Location: Hosted in San Francisco, California, USA (Wharton San Francisco campus)
Cost/Stipend: Approx. $8,959
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 5th – July 17, 2026 | July 19th – July 31st
Application Deadline: Priority: January 28th | Final: March 18th
Eligibility: Open to high school students in grades 9-11. Requires strong academic performance (typically ~3.3+ GPA or equivalent). International students are eligible to apply (they are encouraged to apply early for visa processing)

The Wharton Global Youth Program stands out within entrepreneurship summer programs in California for high school students by immersing you in entrepreneurship through an intensive, two-week experience focused on innovation and startup culture. You learn how to generate ideas, evaluate market opportunities, and build scalable business models using real-world frameworks. Through hands-on projects and team collaboration, you develop your own startup concept and pitch it, strengthening your communication and problem-solving skills.

You also gain exposure to the San Francisco startup ecosystem through site visits, guest speakers, and interactions with entrepreneurs and industry professionals. By the end, you gain a strong foundation in entrepreneurship along with a clearer perspective on business and innovation-driven careers.

Why it stands out: It combines Wharton-led academics with site visits, guest speakers, and direct exposure to startups, tech companies, and sports organizations, so you’re not just learning business concepts; you’re seeing how they’re applied in real-world ecosystems.

Where Startup Thinking Meets Career Discovery

Entrepreneurship changes the way you think because it pushes you to test ideas, solve problems, and understand how opportunities take shape in practice.

That is where entrepreneurship summer programs in California for high school students become especially valuable, turning ambition into action through projects, mentorship, and real-world learning.

As you build, pitch, and refine your thinking, you also begin to notice which parts of business, leadership, and innovation genuinely interest you most.

What if this summer is only the beginning? Our Career Exploration blogs show you where entrepreneurial thinking, ambition, and curiosity could lead next.