Something big is coming for rising high school entrepreneurs starting summer 2026.
The Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute – a top-10-ranked, interdisciplinary division of the University of Utah’s David Eccles School of Business – is introducing the Lassonde Startup Academy, a unique, pre-college, summer program for aspiring business founders, makers, creators and doers.
The Academy will allow high school students, ages 14-18, to discover everything the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute has to offer in a short and fast-paced format designed to inspire the next generation of global entrepreneurs and business leaders. Students will discover one of the best universities for entrepreneurship, learn how to create and sell a product, and explore the University of Utah and surrounding area – all while earning college credit.
“We created a high school program like no other to attract the best up-and-coming entrepreneurs from around the state, country and world,” said Scott Holley, the executive director of the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute. “The Lassonde Startup Academy gives students a unique opportunity to take a deep dive into the world of entrepreneurship, product design and business creation. Students will learn by doing and get their hands dirty building products and learning what it takes to create a business. We welcome everyone to learn more and apply for scholarships to participate.”
Students in the Lassonde Startup Academy will live at Lassonde Studios – a worldclass living-learning center and makerspace for student entrepreneurs and innovators – and they will create and launch products and companies, while collaborating with each other and learning from experienced entrepreneurs what it takes to start and grow a business.
The application is now open to join the inaugural Academy experience June 15-26, 2026. Generous scholarships are available and will be awarded based on merit and need. Early registration and scholarship applications are encouraged, because space and financial support are limited. An early registration discount of $1,000 is also available to everyone who registers by Dec. 31, 2025.
“Join the Academy to get a first-hand look at every step in the startup process, from ideation and prototyping to marketing and sales, and the experience will conclude with a demo day event where students can showcase and sell their products,” said Anne Bastien, the staff director of the Lassonde Startup Academy. “We are excited to see what students in the program will do during their stay, and we’re even more excited to see what they can accomplish as they advance and apply the lessons to create their future.”
The Lassonde Startup Academy is the latest example of unique and innovative opportunities to learn and experience entrepreneurship offered by the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute, which is ranked among the best college programs for entrepreneurship in the country by U.S. News & World Report and Princeton Review.
A few of many other unique opportunities for students at the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute include: Lassonde Founders, a residential scholarship program for student entrepreneurs; Get Seeded, a regular grant program for college entrepreneurs; Lassonde for Life, which provides all University of Utah alumni with lifelong entrepreneur support; and the Master of Business Creation, an award-winning program that combines the best of a graduate business degree with a business accelerator.
The new Lassonde Startup Academy brings together the best parts of these programs to give high school students a broad understanding of the entrepreneurial process and exposure to one of the best universities and locations for entrepreneurs in the world.
“If you are an aspiring entrepreneur, or you know one, we welcome you to join us at the Lassonde Startup Academy this coming summer,” Holley said. “The experience will jumpstart your future as a founder and creator. Don’t just let the future happen, create it with us at Lassonde Studios.”
Learn more about the Lassonde Startup Academy, register and apply for scholarships here: lassonde.utah.edu/academy.
About the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute
The Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute is a nationally ranked hub for student entrepreneurship and innovation at the University of Utah and an interdisciplinary division of the David Eccles School of Business. The first programs were offered in 2001, through the vision and support of Pierre Lassonde, an alumnus of the Eccles School and successful mining entrepreneur. The institute now provides opportunities for thousands of students to learn about entrepreneurship and innovation. Programs include workshops, networking events, business-plan competitions, startup support, graduate and alumni programs, scholarships, community outreach and more. All programs are open to students from any academic major or background. The Lassonde Institute also manages Lassonde Studios, a five-story innovation space and housing facility for all students. Learn more at lassonde.utah.edu.
