Summer Startup Mentor (1 month, San Francisco)

DescriptionSpend one summer month in San Francisco guiding teams of high school students (aged 13-17) as they build real startups "” with real customers, real revenue, and a live Demo Day at the end.This isn't a teaching gig. You'll be in the room with a vetted mentor team comprised of Shark Tank winners, Forbes 30 Under 30 honorees, Thiel Fellows, founders, CTOs, and TEDx speakers, pushing 40 ambitious teenagers to ship something that actually works. The program runs on UC Berkeley's campus.Why LeangapLeangap is one of the top two teen entrepreneurship programs in the world, with 10 years of operation and over 2,000 applicants every year from more than 20 countries. Mentors consistently tell us this month is the most meaningful thing they did all year.The network. You'll live and work alongside an unusually high-caliber group for a full month. The network outlasts the program.The flexibility. Most mentors keep working their normal jobs. You're only "on" when you're leading the room or running office hours; otherwise, step out for calls or focused work.The impact. ~40 students per cohort means every student remembers you for years.RequirementsTech industry experience only "” founders, operators, CTOs, marketers, or designers who've built or shipped real products. No academics, consultants, or non-tech backgrounds.Availability and flexibility. This means your current job is remote with a flexible schedule.A track record of starting things "” companies, side projects, experiments.100% written and spoken English communication.Highly social and energetic. Mentoring means constant interaction: feedback, guidance, conversations, and being the person students reach out to. Comfortable with direct, honest feedback (it's central to our culture).Open to come back next year. Our best mentors return.For international applicants: valid passport and US visa (B1/B2 or similar) required.BONUS: Mentorship or teaching experience with young people.Compensation & Logistics$3,000 USD program stipend for the monthAll-inclusive: round-trip flights from any city in the world to San Francisco, airport transfers, private UC Berkeley dorm, 3 meals/day, local transportationDates: July 11 - August 8, 2026Schedule: weekdays on campus 9:30 AM - 4 PM with flexibility built in, Saturday morning group activities, rest of the weekend offGrowth PathWe're building for the long term. Mentors who complete their first summer and want to return are invited to take on a larger role:2027+: Lead a full week (or more) of activities at our second location as a senior facilitator.Can't commit to a full month? After your first summer, you may be invited to join our on-call advisor network with paid 1:1 sessions.Join us this summer for a life-changing adventure!

Created: 2026-05-14