The Technology & Entrepreneurship Center at Harvard (TECH) is dedicated to fostering innovation at the intersection of the technology and business worlds. Each year, it hosts the Harvard Ventures-TECH Summer Program (HVTSP), a six-week online course for ambitious high schoolers who want to gain hands-on experience in the startup world.
Currently accepting applications for its 2025 program, HVTSP offers a unique opportunity for precocious entrepreneurs and innovators:
A hugely prestigious name in the world of business education, Harvard is many an aspiring entrepreneur’s dream school. HVTSP offers high schoolers the chance to get in on the ground floor, whether or not they go on to attend Harvard for their undergrad or MBA afterward.
For one thing, this means attending daily seminars and workshops led not only by Harvard professors but by industry-leading founders and investors. These classes cover topics such as problem-solving, operations, investing, and innovation management. Through the curriculum, students are exposed to the kinds of case studies they might later encounter on an MBA.
The program also entails personal guidance from mentors with extensive experience in the academic world, in startups, and in investing. Participants discuss their interests and ambitions with their mentors in great depth and receive guidance that can help them shape their future career.
Alumni from past programs have gone on to found their own startups, often receiving VC funding; to attend top universities (including Harvard itself); and to build promising careers in tech, finance, and venture capital.
Integral to the program is an internship at a top VC-backed startup, providing the chance to work with an experienced founder on a real project for the company. This is a one-of-a-kind experience for an entrepreneurially minded high schooler, offering an invaluable early boost to your career.
Each student’s internship is tailored to their career goals. The program partners with leaders across a variety of industries and matches each student to a startup internship based on their individual interests. All these startups are backed by major VC investors such as Andreessen Horowitz, Sequoia Capital, and Y Combinator.
You’ll work directly with CEOs and founders, receiving their guidance on a project designed for you. These projects are not just theoretical; they have a real-world impact. In the process, you’ll learn to apply your business smarts to serious decision-making, actually shaping the business’s direction and product.
Any current high school student (in any grade) is eligible to apply for HVTSP. You’re also eligible if you’ve graduated high school but haven’t started your undergraduate studies yet. International applicants in the same age range (14+) are also eligible.
No previous experience with entrepreneurship is expected, but you do need to show the admissions team that you’re highly motivated and demonstrate interest in a specific industry.
The admissions process is competitive. To have the best chances of joining the program, aim to highlight your career ambitions, your interest in the startup world, and your academic abilities. The program also has a limited number of spots, which will fill up over time; it’s a good idea to apply as early as you can.
The program has three admissions rounds: invite-only, early, and regular.
As mentioned above, admissions are competitive. We recommend applying sooner rather than later!
The program runs in two separate six-week “sessions”; you apply for one of these sessions, not both. (You can apply for either session in any admissions round.) The summer 2025 dates are
Those admitted to the program are also invited to several online networking events and seminars with various Harvard faculty, entrepreneurs, and investors. These events take place in the weeks leading up to the start of the in-person program.
Tuition for the program is $4,750. Financial aid covering 100% of the cost is available for students with demonstrated need. You can apply for financial aid when submitting your application for the program; doing so has no impact on your chances of being admitted, and the aid request is considered only after you’re accepted.
The HVTSP is an exceptional opportunity to gain high-level, real-world experience of what it’s like to work at a fast-moving startup. Having this kind of experience at such a young age will not only teach you a lot, but provide a major boost to your future academic and career prospects.
If the program piques your interest and you think you may have what it takes, you can read more about the details here or apply now.
