Startup Academy

Spend your summer in San Francisco interning with a startup!

Startup Academy is a cutting-edge, fully funded academic program that immerses students in full-time, real-world internships with startups. Students spend the summer living and working together in Silicon Valley – the global hub of entrepreneurship and innovation – working on real projects with real impact. Startup Academy is made available through a partnership withthe College of Business and is open to all students across the university – any major can apply!

Are you ready to accelerate your entrepreneurial career while living and working in Silicon Valley? Lehigh Startup Academy offers an immersive 10-week summer program that places students in the heart of San Francisco, surrounded by top startups, industry leaders, and a thriving entrepreneurial community.

Experience firsthand what it takes to build an early stage company through a full-time internship with a startup. You’ll work on high-impact projects beside founders, immersing yourself in Silicon Valley’s bold, fast-paced environment. Alongside hands-on experience, a 1-credit course featuring entrepreneurs and business leaders will help you connect classroom insights to real-world startup challenges.

Lehigh Startup Academy provides housing in downtown San Francisco, offering easy access to the city’s vibrant networking, cultural events, and entrepreneurial hubs. With access to collaborative coworking spaces and a $5,000 stipend to support your experience, you’ll be perfectly positioned to build professional relationships, attend community events, and make the most of everything San Francisco offers.

Applications are now open to Lehigh University students of all majors, rising juniors through graduate students interested in furthering their entrepreneurial journey are invited to apply!

Being a part of Startup Academy was such an amazing experience. This program has so many valuable parts to it, from learning about startup culture and living in San Francisco to making connections through the Lehigh@NasdaqCenter. If you are considering applying, I would definitely recommend!

Startup Academy Graduate

Summer 2025 Applications Now Open!