Summer Springboard
Middle School Business & Entrepreneurship
ON THE CAMPUS OF UC BERKELEY
THIS PROGRAM COMBINES ACADEMIC COURSES, INTERACTIVE LABS, AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES TO GIVE MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS A SUPPORTIVE, FUN, AND ENRICHING SUMMER EXPERIENCE.
Middle School Business & Entrepreneurship
- Collaborate to invent a business idea from scratch in a team setting.
- Develop strategies to market and sell your innovative product or service.
- Create a compelling business plan to impress mentors and potential investors.
- Pitch your venture in a fun, Shark Tank–style presentation to expert panel.
- Engage with entrepreneurs and visit local businesses during hands-on excursions.
- Experience Silicon Valley inspiration—explore Berkeley, nearby landmarks, and iconic campuses.
Summer Springboard
Middle School Business & Entrepreneurship
About This Course
Students in this program will become part of a new company they devise and will work in teams on various aspects of the new business.
They will dive into the world of business and learn how companies work. Students will explore the secrets of making things, telling people about them, and selling them.
They will get a chance to hear stories from entrepreneurs who have started small and made it big. The program culminates in a Shark Tank-style pitch presentation.
TOPICS YOU'LL EXPLORE
Hands-on Learning
Students will have the opportunity to engage with entrepreneurial and business veterans. During academic excursions, guest speakers will share their wealth of knowledge and encourage career exploration. Hands-on learning is experienced through visits to local big and small businesses. Outside of course specific studies the students will explore all the Bay Area and nearby Silicon Valley has to offer! With so much rich history, breathtaking sights, parks and famed landmarks at our fingertips there is something for everyone to discover!
RESOURCES
Course Infosheet
Click here to view or download the printable infosheet for this course.
Program Catalog
Click here to request our catalog to learn more about our summer programs and courses.
Campus Page
Click here to view the website page for this campus and learn more.
“The experience was very fun. The classes were well prepared and organized. The excursions planned were cool as well. Overall, the experience of this camp was amazing!”
– Alexis W. | SSB Middle School Alumni Student
Summer Springboard
Middle School Business & Entrepreneurship
Meet Your Instructor
Before becoming a Team Business facilitator, André spent over 25 years in retail across South Africa and the Middle East, specializing in process re-engineering and automation.
Since 2002, he has led programs worldwide for corporate clients, teenagers, and educational institutions, including MLT’s Leadership Development Program. André has helped launch high-impact programs at Wharton, the University of Pennsylvania, and Georgetown University, and actively mentors and judges for DECA competitions.
Passionate about introducing students to business, he fosters skills in communication, teamwork, and entrepreneurship, drawing on his global experience from over 50 countries.
ANDRÉ VAN DER BERGH
Summer Springboard
Middle School Business & Entrepreneurship
Dates & Tuition
| 2025 Dates |
|---|
| Session 1: July 6 – July 11, 2025 |
| Session 2: July 13 – July 18, 2025 |
| Session 3: July 20 – July 25, 2025 |
| Session 4: July 27 – August 1, 2025 |
Click here to enroll in this course using our online enrollment form.
| Tuition |
|---|
| Residential Tuition: $2,898 |
| Commuter Tuition: $1,498 |
Tuition Protection Plan: Allows for cancellation for any reason up until the day of the program.
| Location |
|---|
| City: Berkeley |
| State: California |
| Campus: UC Berkeley |
Summer Springboard programs are not run by our campus partners (with the exception of Cal Poly and NYSID which are run in partnership with SSB). Universities and their affiliated departments and partners do not control and are not responsible or liable in any manner for any part of the Summer Springboard program.