Wired Summer Academy

The 2026 Program is now closed. Contact us for information on future programs.

Who is it for

Learn the business of technology and how to turn ideas into impact

WIRED Summer Academy is a program for curious high school students who are fascinated by technology – how it’s built, how it evolves, and how it powers the products, platforms, companies, and movements shaping our world today.

Technology underpins nearly every industry, from business, healthcare and media to fashion, finance, sustainability, and beyond. WIRED Summer Academy helps students understand how the technology ecosystem actually works. The experience will inform and empower students for their next decision in life, whether they choose to apply for college or start their career after high school.

Students learn how products and technologies are imagined, built, tested, and launched; how startups and major companies use technology to grow; and how emerging tools like AI, data, and digital platforms are transforming entire fields. Most importantly, they’ll take an idea from concept to pitch and present it to a panel of experts at the end of the program.

Powered by WIRED’s expertise and unrivalled network, students will develop the mindset and skills to become creators, builders, and innovators across any industry.

Learn the Business of Tech and Entrepreneurship

WIRED Summer Academy is an immersive two-week experience for students who want to understand how technology companies are built and what it really takes to turn an idea into a viable startup.

Students will meet the people shaping the tech world today and visit startups and innovation hubs where ambitious minds come together to share ideas. They’ll gain firsthand insight into how founders, product teams, and entrepreneurs bring new ideas to life across industries such as media, healthcare, sustainability, fashion, finance, and consumer tech.

Program Structure

Topics include:

Startup Foundations
Idea Generation & Design Thinking
Product Development & Prototyping
Market Research & Customer Discovery
The Fundamentals of AI & Emerging Technologies
Branding & Storytelling
Presentation Skills & How to Pitch a Product
Leadership, Collaboration & Project Management

Site Visits & Experiences:

WIRED HQ
Techstars
Cornell Tech
Newlab
IMB Watson Experience Center
Google Headquarters

* site visits subject to change

Why learn with WIRED?

WIRED has spent decades telling the stories behind the technologies that reshape society, from early internet pioneers to today’s AI leaders. That perspective gives students access to something rare that will allow them to:

Spot emerging trends before they’re mainstream
Ask smart questions about new technologies
Understand why some innovations succeed while others disappear
Think critically about ethics, responsibility, and long-term consequences
See the human, business, and cultural side of tech – not just the technical side

This WIRED-informed approach trains students to think like industry insiders, not just consumers of technology.