Programs, competitions and funding
Accelerators, pitch competitions, grants and scholarships. What's worth your time, what's a waste of money, and how to actually get in.
20 guides
July 2, 2026
7 min read
How to Choose a Teen Startup Program That Isn't a Waste of Money
Some teen startup programs are worth it; many aren't. Here's a checklist of green flags and red flags to judge any program before you pay a single dollar.
The batch0 Team
June 23, 2026
7 min read
The Best Startup Competitions for High School Students
Startup competitions are a low-risk way to test your idea and win money. What to look for in a competition, and how to actually win one.
The batch0 Team
June 12, 2026
8 min read
Startup Accelerator Programs for High Schoolers: A 2026 Guide
A 2026 guide to startup accelerator programs for high schoolers: what they offer, what to look for, the red flags, and how to choose one.
The batch0 Team
June 5, 2026
6 min read
What Actually Happens Inside a Startup Accelerator
A startup accelerator gives you a deadline, a cohort, mentorship, and a demo day. Here's what actually happens inside one, and what to expect week to week.
The batch0 Team
February 28, 2026
6 min read
National vs. Local Startup Competitions: Which Should You Enter?
National startup competitions have bigger prizes but worse odds. Compare national vs. local competitions to decide where your entry has the best shot.
The batch0 Team
February 26, 2026
6 min read
How to Fund a High School Startup Without Investors
You don't need investors to fund a high school startup. Here are the bootstrapping, grant, competition, and revenue routes that actually work for teens.
The batch0 Team
February 24, 2026
6 min read
Free vs. Paid Startup Programs: Which Is Worth Your Time?
Free and paid startup programs for teens each have hidden costs. Here's how to compare them honestly and decide which is actually worth your time.
The batch0 Team
February 22, 2026
7 min read
How to Find a Startup Mentor When You're Still in High School
Learn how to find a startup mentor as a high schooler: where to look, how to send a cold message that gets answered, and what to ask for once you connect.
The batch0 Team
February 20, 2026
7 min read
The Application Mistakes That Get Teen Founders Rejected
Most startup program applications fail for the same avoidable reasons. Here are the common application mistakes and how to fix each one before you submit.
The batch0 Team
February 18, 2026
6 min read
How to Actually Win the Prize Money at a Pitch Competition
Learn how to win pitch competition prize money by reverse-engineering the judging rubric, playing the format, and avoiding the mistakes that lose points.
The batch0 Team
February 16, 2026
7 min read
The Business Plan Competition Checklist for High Schoolers
A business plan competition checklist covering the financials, market section, and formatting judges expect, so nothing costs you points.
The batch0 Team
February 14, 2026
6 min read
How to Get Into a Competitive Startup Program as a Teen
Selective teen startup programs reject most applicants. How to get in: what admissions actually look for, and how to stand out.
The batch0 Team
February 12, 2026
6 min read
What Startup Competition Judges Actually Look For
Understand what startup competition judges look for behind the rubric — the signals that decide winners — so you present the evidence that moves scores.
The batch0 Team
February 12, 2026
6 min read
Scholarships for Student Entrepreneurs Who Started a Business
Some scholarships reward building a company, not just grades. Here are scholarships for student entrepreneurs and how to frame your startup to win them.
The batch0 Team
February 10, 2026
6 min read
The Free Resources That Actually Teach You to Build a Startup
A curated list of free resources to learn startups as a teenager — courses, books, newsletters, and videos — with what to skip and what order to use them.
The batch0 Team
February 8, 2026
6 min read
Hackathon vs. Accelerator: What's the Difference for Students?
Hackathons and accelerators sound similar but produce very different results. Here's the difference and which one fits where you are as a student founder.
The batch0 Team
February 6, 2026
6 min read
How to Get Free Startup Credits and Tools as a Student
Students can claim free startup credits and software perks worth thousands. Here's how to get hosting, AI, and SaaS credits without an LLC or funding.
The batch0 Team
February 6, 2026
6 min read
Grants for High School Entrepreneurs: Where to Find Free Money
A practical list of grants for high school entrepreneurs, who qualifies, what they fund, and how to write an application that actually gets funded.
The batch0 Team
February 4, 2026
7 min read
How to Start an Entrepreneurship Club at Your School
A step-by-step guide to starting an entrepreneurship club at your school: getting an advisor, recruiting members, and running real meetings.
The batch0 Team
February 2, 2026
6 min read
Startup Summer Program vs. Internship: Which Looks Better?
Deciding between a startup summer program and an internship? Compare what each teaches, what colleges value, and which fits your goals for the summer.
The batch0 Team
Reading about it is the easy part.
batch0 is a live, online accelerator for high schoolers. You'll build a real company across four sprints and pitch it at demo day. Free to apply, $130 only if accepted, no equity taken.