About

The Entrepreneurship Academy at Georgetown University is a two-week, non-credit summer program for high school students that introduces the fundamentals of startup thinking and venture design. Running from June 7 to June 19, 2026, the academy blends classroom instruction with applied project work, guiding participants through the process of prototype testing, market research, and social innovation. Students explore topics such as opportunity recognition and global business operations while working in collaborative teams to translate ideas into viable business concepts. The program is hosted on Georgetown’s Washington, D.C. campus, utilizing the city's status as a global business hub for off-site visits and expert engagement.

The program is open to high school students (rising freshmen through seniors) who meet Georgetown’s eligibility standards. Admission requires a completed online application, a teacher recommendation, and a personal statement. For 2026, residential tuition is $6,465 and commuter tuition is $5,075. A $50 application fee applies, though it is waived for applications received by January 31, 2026. Students seeking financial assistance must submit their scholarship application by March 2, 2026. Residential students live in campus dormitories and receive a 19-meal-per-week plan, while commuters attend daily programming from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Instruction emphasizes interactive lectures, business lab activities, and team-based venture projects culminating in a final pitch competition. Faculty and instructors, including experienced entrepreneurs and McDonough School of Business affiliates, frame discussions around real-world startup dynamics. The curriculum prioritizes personal development, helping students improve public speaking, networking strategies, and team-building techniques.

The Entrepreneurship Academy is institutionally grounded in Georgetown’s Jesuit tradition of cura personalis ("care for the whole person"), emphasizing ethical leadership and interdisciplinary problem-solving. Its location in Washington, D.C. reinforces the program’s focus on innovation within complex economic systems. Participants leave with foundational entrepreneurial skills, a Certificate of Participation, and experience in collaborative venture design. The program does not confer academic credit, but offers a preview of the undergraduate business experience.