About

Exploring Entrepreneurship at Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business is a one-week summer business immersion for high school juniors and seniors. Hosted on Fordham’s Rose Hill campus in the Bronx, the 2026 program runs from June 22nd through June 26th. This residential (with commuter option) academy introduces participants to core concepts such as opportunity identification, value creation, business model design, and pitch development at The Foundry, Fordham’s dedicated hub for innovation. The curriculum balances applied project work with discussions on real-world entrepreneurial challenges, culminating in a structured group pitch competition.

Admission is open to rising high school juniors and seniors who complete the official Fordham Pre-College Application. For 2026, the program tuition is $1,950, covering all instruction, daily lunches, and field trips. The application deadline is April 30, 2026, for residential students and May 1, 2026, for commuters; however, students seeking need-based financial aid must apply by April 1, 2026.

Instruction is delivered by Gabelli School of Business faculty and alumni entrepreneurs who integrate business fundamentals with applied problem-solving. Daily sessions combine short lectures with collaborative design work and mentor feedback sessions. By situating entrepreneurial exploration within a Jesuit university context, the program encourages students to consider "values-based" business solutions that integrate social impact and ethical decision-making alongside profit.

Participants complete the program with a stronger grasp of entrepreneurial processes and experience in collaborative pitch development. While the program does not confer academic credit, it provides an authentic preview of the Gabelli School of Business undergraduate experience and the professional startup ecosystem in New York City.