Launch your startup dreams
Ready to turn your boldest ideas into reality? If you’re a high school student who dreams big and thinks different, the University of Washington Foster School of Business wants YOU for our electrifying one-week Business Startup Bootcamp!
This isn’t your average summer program. This is where innovation meets action. You’ll team up with fellow visionaries in small, dynamic groups, transforming raw ideas into real business ventures. Master the art of collaboration, sharpen your problem-solving skills, and unleash your inner leader as you build something incredible from scratch alongside peers who share your fire and ambition.
You’ll be right in the heart of Seattle, WA—the epicenter of game-changing companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Nintendo, plus hundreds of red-hot startups. This is where billion-dollar ideas are born, and for one intense week, you’ll be part of that energy.
Program Highlights
This intensive bootcamp is tailored for high school students (rising 10th, 11th, 12th, and graduating seniors) with an entrepreneurial mindset and a desire to make their mark. Whether you’re exploring startup culture for the first time, preparing to launch your own venture, or building skills that will set you apart in college and beyond, this program will ignite your entrepreneurial journey.
This program combines the academic excellence of UW Foster and the operational expertise of Summer Springboard, ensuring a transformative and results-driven experience.
What Will You Gain?
- Entrepreneurial Skills Development: Master design thinking, market research, business strategy, and investor evaluation frameworks used by successful startups.
- Team-Based Startup Creation: Work in small teams to develop an innovative product-based startup from concept to prototype in just one week.
- Real-World Learning: Learn from UW Foster faculty with startup experience and successful Seattle entrepreneurs who share insights from the field.
- Pitch Competition: Present your startup concept to a panel of judges in a high-stakes pitch competition, developing public speaking, sales, and negotiation skills.
- College and Career Preparation: Gain practical business experience and entrepreneurial credentials that strengthen college applications and future career prospects.
Program Details
July 19–25, 2026
University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Throughout the week, students will apply entrepreneurial frameworks and business fundamentals through intensive hands-on learning. Working in teams, you’ll use design thinking principles to generate innovative product ideas, conduct market validation, develop comprehensive business strategies, and build working prototypes.
This team-based experience mirrors the real challenges and excitement of launching a startup. Students will learn to identify unmet market needs, understand what drives customers and investors, evaluate business viability, and collaborate effectively by leveraging diverse team strengths. You’ll immediately apply concepts learned from UW Foster faculty and industry experts through prototyping sessions, strategy workshops, and team collaboration.
The program culminates in a pitch competition where students present their startup concepts to a panel of judges, demonstrating persuasive presentation skills essential for any entrepreneur. Following the competition, an awards and certificate ceremony celebrates student achievements and recognizes the innovative ideas developed throughout the program.
For more information on accommodations, see Summer Springboard’s FAQ’s or sign up for an informational webinar.
Faculty Bio
Valerie Trask has spent the past eight years teaching entrepreneurship at the University of Washington, where she guides students through launching real, profitable ventures.
An experienced founder and startup advisor, she’s built and supported multiple early-stage companies across consumer and innovation sectors. Val brings an energetic, practical approach that helps young entrepreneurs turn creative ideas into actionable business experiments.
Tuition
Commuter Students
$2,698* using early application discount code **DECA500** for $500 off completed applications received by December 31, 2025.
$2,998 starting January 1, 2026.
Includes lunch, academic course, excursions, and programming from 9am to 5pm, Monday–Friday.
*Commuter students may join weekend excursions for an additional $125 per day.
Residential Students
Additional $1,300
For students wanting a full college dorm and campus residential experience.
Includes lodging, breakfast, dinner, evening activities, and weekend excursions — all with experienced adult mentors and supervisors.
Contact Betsy Friedland at [email protected] with questions.
Download Course Details (PDF) | Download Campus Overview (PDF)
Contact Information
Contact Betsy Friedland at [email protected] for questions or for more information.
Contact Summer Springboard at [email protected] for questions regarding applications and admissions.
About Foster
The Foster School of Business at the University of Washington is a globally renowned hub of academic excellence, leadership development, and innovation. Ranked as the #2 global public university by U.S. News & World Report, Foster offers students unparalleled access to cutting-edge resources and connections to Seattle’s thriving business ecosystem. Students will benefit from the school’s strong emphasis on critical thinking, leadership, and collaboration, ensuring they are prepared to excel in their college lives and future careers.
The program is led by Leta Beard, Associate Teaching Professor of Marketing and International Business at Foster. With a rich history of mentoring young leaders, Leta combines her expertise and passion to inspire and guide students. Her leadership ensures that participants gain valuable insights into the dynamic world of business while building skills to tackle real-world challenges.