Launch a startup with real impact in one summer

While the vast majority of entrepreneurship programs for high school students only talk about ideas and validation, we take it one step further. We believe that only by building and selling can students truly learn the core fundamentals of entrepreneurship.

PHASE ONE
validation

During the first week, student entrepreneurs will pitch ideas individually, then students will vote on the best ideas to form teams around them, validate business models, and create the first proof of concept of their products or services.

PHASE two
CREATION

Teams will then create a minimum viable product with the guidance of our mentors and network.

They will then beta test with real customers and come back to the drawing board with their new learnings.

PHASE THREE
TRACTION

The ability to generate traction is what separates real startups from "projects". As soon as that first dollar hits your account, you have a company.

With the support of our mentors, students will get sales as soon as humanly possible.

PHASE FOUR
PITCHING

On the last week, students will demo and pitch their company to a judging panel formed by investors, CEOs, technologists, and more.

Companies will be judged based on product-market fit, market size, traction, and pitching.

This is how a startup is born at Leangap

build

Validate your assumptions with real users and build a Minimum Viable Product with the guidance of our mentors.

PillDrops built a cardboard prototype as a proof-of-concept of their value proposition. After proving that their technology worked, they proceeded to build the final product that was gonna be sold to customers by using a combination of 3D printing, Arduinos, electronic components, and programming.

The product was a success with customers, who loved the simple and refined design of the product.

launch

You'll do things that other people won't have the courage to do. We will support you at every step.

After creating an MVP, CampusSelect began advertising their idea. To find potential customers, the team reached out to high school administrations, independent college counselors and summer programs designed for ambitious high school students. They worked tirelessly to connect with as many groups as possible to spread information about CampusSelect.

They were able to conduct over 50 CampusSelect calls, connecting students in over 10 different countries to undergraduates at colleges across the nation.

After Leangap, they participated in The Diamond Challenge, winning one ofthe top places in the competition.

SELL

This separates high school projects from companies — the ability to generate traction. The moment you have that first customer, you have a company.

Crow created a web app to discover innovative products from Asia, helping Asian manufacturers market their product by providing them with personalized ads and creative assets.

During the program, not only did they manage to contact manufacturers and build the platform, but also managed to make actual sales. Due to Leangap's support, workshops, coaching, and the students' relentless drive, Crow was able to do it all in only 4 weeks.
‍
The team scaled Crow to over $100K USD in revenue last year and is planning to hit $1,000,000 USD in sales soon.

With the support of innovative companies

Benefit from these resources from our beloved partners when you join Leangap. Make use of our vast network to increase your chances of success.

The leading website builder platform gives Leangap students a 12-month account to kickstart their journey.

Launch with a bang with icons, photos, music, and all the assets that you require from icons8.

Get a .CO or .US domain from GoDaddy for free to launch your startup in no time.

Compete against hundreds of teams for huge cash prizes along with your team.

Increase your chances of acceptance to the Ivy League, Oxford, Cambridge, and more with Crimson Education's help.

The Conrad Challenge creates the next generation of STEM entrepreneurs who are going to change the world!

How the best startups in Silicon Valley get legal paperwork done. Clerky is helping Leangap startups get everything done the right way.

Join our growing community of entrepreneurs and leaders

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Join Leangap® '23 online or in-person, you choose.

Leangap® Online brings the startup experience to your home anywhere in the world. Leangap® San Francisco puts you in the middle of Silicon Valley. Limited to 40 seats for each program. Apply now!
Apply for
Summer 2023
Regular applications close in
45:days21:hrs12:min25:sec

“Leangap changes your life, not just your summer. What I created and experienced at Leangap played a big part to being admitted to Harvard.”

—
Aryan S., Leangap Class of 2021

“The mentors are easily some of the best people I've met in my life. We still keep in touch, and they still look out for us.”

—
Devesh P., Leangap Class of 2018

“One time, one of the mentors stayed up the entire night to help me code and build our prototype. Talk about commitment.”

—
Vish N., Leangap Class of 2017

“I made lots of new friends. I know these friends will stay for life and the lessons will help me in the future to create my own business.”

—
Christie N., Leangap Class of 2018

“I was pushed above and beyond my limit and gave more than I thought I had in my arsenal for the sake of the company and my team.”

—
Andrew C., Leangap Class of 2017

“I came home with the start of a movement, incredible friends, and the knowledge/backing of an invaluable network of entrepreneurs.”

—
Swapnanil G., Leangap Class of 2015

“I've developed an invaluable network with entrepreneurs and executives that will set any kind of person up for success!”

—
Hannah Z., Leangap Class of 2018

“I can't believe how we created a real tangible product that impacted very real people in the world in just a couple of weeks.”

—
Amelie G., Leangap Class of 2020

“I learned things that I only could by actually building a business, stuff I wouldn't learn by attending 'entrepreneurship' classes”.

—
Sarah J., Leangap Class of 2018
Take a look at Leangap Online 2021