Frequently Asked Questions

Program

How are applicants selected for Leangap?

We use a variety of factors in our admissions process to determine a good fit between student candidates and our program. For more details, please visit our admissions page.

What sets Leangap apart from other entrepreneurship programs?

Leangap® is the most execution-based entrepreneurship program for high school students. No other program offers a real-world experience into entrepreneurship.

‍

Leangap’s unique approach doesn't rely on mock companies or simulations; you will experience entrepreneurship in the real world, not through PowerPoint slides, allowing you to cultivate the crucial skills of successful founders: leadership, creativity, public speaking, and more.

‍

Our schedule and curriculum are flexible to accommodate the challenges that each team will face throughout their journey, unlike similar programs that give canned lectures to accommodate overcrowded classes. In contrast, our classes are small in size, which results in tailored attention to each carefully selected student, and a unique program modeled after a startup incubator.

‍

‍Spend this summer with your future co-founders and customers, and build your first of many companies!

Can I switch programs if I already paid my tuition?

Yes, you are free to choose which program you want to attend.

‍

If you have already paid your tuition for the in-person program and you wish to switch to the online program, we will issue a refund for the difference.

‍

Similarly, if you have paid your tuition for the online program but wish to attend the in-person program, we will issue an adjusted invoice for you to make the remaining payment.

How long has leangap been running?

Leangap has been running for 9 years, and since then hundreds of alumni have grown into successful startup founders, venture capitalists, prominent community leaders, outstanding business men and women, brilliant students at Ivy League colleges, remarkable interns at top tech companies, and more.

When did Leangap start?

Leangap started in 2015 with its first summer program. 40 students from 10+ countries participated in a 4-week journey that transformed them into marketers, business professionals, developers, designers, leaders, and founders. Since then, Leangap has provided a transformative experience for teenagers and continues to be the best choice for both personal and professional growth.

Tuition

Do you provide financial aid?

Yes! Financial aid is available and is completely need-based, meaning we will provide a scholarship if you are admitted and you demonstrate you can't pay in full due to your financial situation. If you're driven, passionate and accomplished, we will make it possible for you to attend.

‍

You can receive anywhere from 10% to 80% off the tuition cost. We do not offer full-ride scholarships at this time. Once you are admitted into the program you will need to send an email to us with your parent's income statements for the last 12 months. We will review your case then.

What are the next steps after a student is accepted?

When you are accepted to Leangap®, a non-refundable $700 USD deposit to secure your spot must be made within 10 business days of being accepted. The remainder of the tuition and complete paperwork are due 14 days after the deposit is made.

Unfortunately, we can't refund a deposit after it's been made because once we receive your deposit it goes directly to our payment processor for safekeeping for when the program starts.

The rest of the tuition is only refundable if the program start date is 30 days or more away. If the program start date is in less than 30 days, we unfortunately can't offer a refund because all associated costs are paid upfront at that point.

How much is tuition and what does it cover?

Tuition for Leangap® Online is $5,950 USD.

Your tuition covers curriculum, classes, remote group activities, mentorship by entrepreneurs in all timezones, access to the platforms necessary to attend the program, special startup resources, and remote recreational activities.

‍

Tuition for Leangap® San Francisco is $7,950 USD.

Your tuition covers accommodations in San Francisco for the duration of the program, curriculum, classes in a college campus, group recreational activities in San Francisco, selected college tours, special startup resources, and all transportation associated with the Leangap core program and group activities. Meal plans are not included in the program tuition, and can be purchased separately. Vegetarian options will be included. Please let us know ahead of time of any dietary restrictions or allergies. Students are free to plan activities by themselves during the weekends, however, transportation and activity costs related to these activities are not included in the tuition.

‍

Leangap San Francisco

How does Leangap provide safety and supervision to the students?

Dormitories on campus all require an issued ID to enter the building and there is a security guard on duty 24/7. Any visiting guests (parents or friends not part of the program) are required to register at the front desk with proof of identification.

In addition to the building security, our staff also live in the dorms with the students. Our staff are assigned to small groups of 4 or 5 students to mentor and supervise. Any small group trips off campus to a restaurant, store, or college visit are always supervised by at least one staff member and formal program trips are supervised by all staff. The staff is personally available to the students every night to check them in for the day and enforce curfew.

Our staff are there not only to provide supervision and technical insight to startups, but also to provide emotional and interpersonal support. In the past, we have found that the students will often come to rely on more than one staff member for different kinds of advice and will often include our staff in their activities as peers. These close relationships that our staff develop with the students have always helped us gain a better sense of the well-being and safety of our students.

The Head of Staff is always available to both students and parents to speak about any concerns that may arise during the program. All students and parents will be given the Head of Staff's contact information at the start of the program.

Where are Leangap students housed?

Our San Francisco program’s housing location will be disclosed when you are accepted into the next cohort. Past locations include San Francisco State University and UC Berkeley.

What does a general day look like?

Breakfast is available between 7:30 and 9:00 in the dining area and our daily program activities start promptly at 9:00 am. Our students generally have a morning lecture with some days having a guest speaker or lecturer. That is usually followed by an hour for the students to apply what they've learned to their own product, which they will be working on throughout the duration of the program.

The time after lunch is unscheduled so that students can work on their different products (sometimes students require equipment in different buildings or set up meetings with customers). In the evenings and on weekends, we like to plan some team bonding activities or take the students off campus to explore the bay area.

Where will the meals be served during the program?

Meals will be provided by a catering company and will be served near the facilities where our students will be situated during that part of the day.

What if a student has dietary restrictions and cannot eat all of the meals provided?

We have vegetarian and gluten-free options available. No meals containing pork will be served. We ask our students to notify us of any dietary restrictions they may have prior to the program's start date. A student can choose not to eat a meal for varied reasons. Unused meals within the meal plan are non-transferable.

Can you provide a sample menu of the meals that will be served during the program?

A sample meal plan can be downloaded in this link.

‍

Please note that while these items are representative of our offerings, actual meals may be subject to change. We take common allergens into consideration, such as all kinds of nuts, gluten and lactose. Please reach out if you have any specific restrictions.

What are the arrival and departure details for the program in San Francisco?

The arrival day for the program in San Francisco is the day before the program officially begins, specifically the Sunday prior to the first Monday. We request that students book their flights during reasonable arrival times, which is between 8 am and 9 pm, so that our staff can be available to pick them up from the airport.

‍

Similarly, the departure day is one day after the program officially ends, which is the immediate Saturday after the last Friday. Our staff will provide transportation to the airport, and we kindly ask that students schedule their departure flights during reasonable times for our staff.

Will daily attendance be recorded and will there be regular updates on the students' progress?

Ensuring the accountability and progress of our students is a top priority for us. Therefore, we have implemented a comprehensive attendance system that includes diligent check-ins upon departure and arrival between any two travel points, whether in-campus or off-campus. Additionally, we are committed to providing regular updates on the students' activities, accomplishments, and progress. These updates will be conveniently shared through our official social media platform, Instagram. We encourage you to follow our Instagram account @leangap to stay updated on our program and the achievements of our students.

Is there a laundry facility available within the premises?

The availability of a laundry facility within the dormitory may vary each year, depending on the specific facilities provided. We kindly request that you reach out to us via email to inquire about the availability of a laundromat for the upcoming program.

Will there be regular head counts and check-ins with responsible adults throughout the day?

To ensure the well-being and safety of our students, we conduct regular head counts and check-ins throughout the day. These check-ins occur regardless of whether a mentor is present with the students at the time. Additionally, we conduct a final check-in each night to account for all students. Students are required to report to a designated staff member who will diligently track their presence.

Will parents be promptly notified if a a situation arises that directly impacts the students?

We consider it crucial to keep parents informed about any significant activities or experiences involving their child. This includes instances of misconduct, unavailability of the student, or any injuries sustained by the student.

Leangap Online

What is the expected commitment for the online program?

We do not expect our students to be in front of the computer 8 hours. We will have classes for a couple hours in the morning (PST), and then a check in the afternoon via our chosen platform for remote communications. In between, students work on their own time while communicating with their team.

‍

Is it possible to innovate in hardware-related businesses during the virtual session?

Yes, innovation in hardware-related fields can certainly occur during our Online program, and has indeed taken place in previous cohorts. To facilitate this process, Leangap provides participating teams with a budget to purchase necessary hardware components. The team can then determine which member or members will be responsible for constructing the prototype, and have the required parts shipped to them for assembly. Meanwhile, other team members can focus on other crucial aspects of the business, such as sales and marketing, while still offering remote support to those constructing the prototype.

Afterward

What happens to Leangap students after Leangap?

50% of our graduating alumni will continue their companies for at least six months after attending the program. Close to 100% of our graduating alumni attend college/university, and over half are accepted to at least one Ivy League university. Our alumni network is unparalleled in terms of engagement, with constant interaction and internship opportunities between different classes of Leangap alumni.

What other educational opportunities does Leangap provide?

Leangap® provides sponsorships and entrepreneurship-based content to qualifying hackathons, schools, and other events sharing our mission. Please contact our team if you are planning an event, or would like Leangap to come to your school.

Is it permitted to enter the resulting business into entrepreneurial competitions such as the Diamond Challenge, even if some members of the team are not interested in participating?

Absolutely, as Leangap takes no ownership of the business. You and your team members are at liberty to pursue any opportunity that aligns with your interests and goals. However, it is advisable that any decisions relating to the business after the conclusion of Leangap be discussed and agreed upon amongst all team members.

I have a question that is not covered here...

We're always here to assist you. Head over to our contact page to get in touch with us!

Frequently Asked Questions

Program

Tuition

Leangap San Francisco

Leangap Online

Afterward

Join Leangap® '24 online or in-person, you choose.