Guide
How to choose an entrepreneurship program for high school students
More teenagers want to start something of their own, and more programs now promise to teach them how. This guide is for students aged 15–18 and their parents. It explains the kinds of programs that exist, what to look for, and the questions worth asking before you sign up.
The main kinds of programs for teen entrepreneurs
- Multi-week programs teach a process: find a problem, talk to users, build a first version, present it.
- Pitch competitions give students a deadline, feedback from judges and a stage to present an idea.
- Summer camps and intensives compress the same ideas into a few days or weeks, often on a campus.
- Incubators keep supporting students who already have a project, with mentors and introductions.
What to look for
- Students make something real. The best sign is a finished project, such as a prototype, a pitch deck or a first set of customer conversations, not just lectures.
- Real mentors with real feedback. Ask who the mentors are, how often students meet them and whether feedback is specific to the student's own project.
- Honest about college admissions. No program can guarantee an outcome. Be wary of any that does.
- Clear time and cost. You should be able to find the weekly time commitment, the fee, what is refundable and what happens if a student cannot continue.
- Age-appropriate care. For students under 18, ask how parents are involved and how the team looks after student well-being and workload.
- A way to use AI well. AI tools make it faster to build. A good program teaches students to use them to test ideas, not to skip the thinking.
Questions to ask before you join
- What will my student have made by the end, and who will see it?
- How many students are in a group, and how much one-to-one attention is there?
- How many hours a week does it take, and does it run alongside school?
- What does it cost, what is refundable, and are there scholarships?
- Does the program need business experience, or can a complete beginner start?
Where EduPreneur Global fits
EduPreneur Global is an entrepreneurship incubator for students aged 15–18, rooted in Boston and open to students everywhere. It has three parts:
- The 4-week Program: live online classes and mentor check-ins, about four hours a week, with 10–12 students in each group and a Demo Day at the end.
- The Young Founder Challenge: a pitch competition with a $70 registration fee, closing December 4, 2026, and in-person finals.
- An incubator for students who complete the Program, which is still in development.
No business experience is needed. We do not promise any admissions outcome. Parents can read more on the For parents page.
Frequently asked questions
What is an entrepreneurship program for high school students?
It is a structured program where teenagers learn to find a real problem, build a solution and present it, usually with mentors and a final showcase. Formats include multi-week programs, pitch competitions, summer camps and incubators.
Do students need business experience to join?
Good programs for teens do not require it. The starting point is curiosity and a problem the student cares about. Ask the program what a complete beginner will actually do in week one.
How much time does a program take?
It varies widely. The EduPreneur Global Program runs for four weeks and asks for about four hours a week, alongside school.
Will an entrepreneurship program help with college admissions?
It can give a student real work to show and talk about, which many admissions readers value. No program can promise an admissions outcome, and families should be cautious about any program that does.
What is the difference between a program, a competition and an incubator?
A program teaches a process over several weeks. A competition sets a deadline and a stage for pitching an idea. An incubator continues to support students who already have a project. EduPreneur Global offers all three: the 4-week Program, the Young Founder Challenge and an incubator for Program graduates.