UC Berkeley M.E.T. Innovation Academy
About Berkeley M.E.T. Innovation Academy (M.E.T.ia)
The Berkeley M.E.T. Innovation Academy (M.E.T.ia) is a hands-on residential summer program for rising high school juniors and seniors interested in being at the forefront of tech and entrepreneurship. M.E.T.ia is a dynamic and immersive academic experience offered by the world-renowned College of Engineering and Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley. Our program offers a unique opportunity for those who are exceptional in their class and possess strong skills in science, technology, math, and communications. If you’re fueled by extraordinary ambition and an unwavering commitment to changing the world through technological innovation, then M.E.T.ia is the place for you. This pre-collegiate summer program will launch those who possess an unwavering pursuit of hands-on applications of engineering and entrepreneurial knowledge to the next level.
Interested in participating?
Applications for Summer 2026 are live!
Program Dates:
- 06/21/2026 – 07/07/2026
Application Timeline:
- December 16 – Early admissions deadline; first decisions released by January 15
Who Can Apply
Rising juniors and seniors with a strong aptitude for mathematics and science.
Characteristics of a Successful Applicant
Rising junior and senior high school students should have a strong/demonstrated interest in the intersection of technology and business – to become the kind of entrepreneurial leader the world needs. They also need to exhibit their creativity, leadership ability, strong character, ambition, perseverance in the face of challenges, individuality, intellectual independence, and a demonstrated concern for others and for their community.
What to Expect
- Immerse in a rigorous but enriching learning experience at Berkeley’s College of Engineering and Haas School of Business that’ll enable you to expand your engineering skills and establish a solid business foundation.
- Participate in a capstone project where you can develop and pitch a startup idea to seasoned venture investors together with your peers.
- Develop prototypes at Berkeley’s Jacobs Institute for Design Innovation (pictured on the left).
- Learn from industry titans, technologists, product managers, and marketers from leading tech companies in Silicon Valley, such as Ambi Robotics in Berkeley, Dolby Headquarters in San Francisco, and more.
- Take advantage of our stellar career development guidance and resources – at the end of the week you will have created a standout resume and LinkedIn profile.
- Interact with current M.E.T. students and alumni making waves in the tech and entrepreneurship space.
- Engage in unique Bay Area outings to professional sporting events and cultural hotspots while building a lifelong community with your peers.
M.E.T.ia Scholarships
At Berkeley M.E.T., we believe in and strive to provide access to quality business, entrepreneurship and technology learning to youth of all backgrounds. As such, through the M.E.T.ia need-based scholarship program, we are able to provide funding assistance for a select number of students with demonstrated financial need.
M.E.T.ia Student Voices
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Picture from an M.E.T.ia Project Work Day
“I appreciate the opportunity to take in fresh ideas and apply them to my own startup,” says Jasmine, a rising junior from Porterville, CA. She came to M.E.T.ia to learn engineering and business skills not offered in her hometown but found something more: a supportive community. “I didn’t expect to make such good friends,” she adds. “It feels like we’re all learning something new together.”
Jasmine D.
M.E.T.ia Summer 2025
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Picture provided by Jake S.
“Berkeley M.E.T.ia let me explore business and engineering in a way that felt real. We had talented guest speakers and did lab visits that gave me insight into how tech and business interact in the real world. I took all that experience and put it into my capstone startup. Developing my passion for product design and then pitching it in a ‘Shark Tank’ finale really gave me the confidence to see my ideas through. It sparked a deeper drive to turn my curiosity into tangible solutions that can actually make a difference.”
Jake S.
M.E.T.ia Summer 2025
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Picture from an M.E.T.ia Project Work Day
Tariyah, who participates in the advanced STEM training program Black Girls Do Engineer back home in Richmond, Texas, was able to connect her passion for tech with practical business skills. “Preparing for pitch day taught me about the business side of tech, specifically how to communicate ideas to gain sponsorship from investors.”
Tariyah S.
M.E.T.ia Summer 2025
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Picture from an M.E.T.ia Project Work Day
Sahej G., a rising junior from San Ramon, California, reflects on her M.E.T.ia experience while gearing up for Pitch Day, “I really enjoyed how interactive the lectures were. It was cool to have open access to the professors after the talks and just chat with them. I’m starting to get really into civil engineering, and this program gave me a great head start on the business and marketing side.”
Sahej G.
M.E.T.ia Summer 2025
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M.E.T.ia summer program “Shark Tank” session at UC Berkeley’s Blum Hall in Berkeley, CA. (Photo by Adam Lau/Berkeley Engineering)
Sahil, a rising high school senior from Fremont, California, pitched an idea to turn food waste into energy. Pitching during the program helped boost his confidence in presenting and collaborating, he said. “Before, I never really had the confidence to talk to people I didn’t know,” he said. “But after this program, I found it a lot easier to just reach out to people who have shared interests.”
Sahil P.
M.E.T.ia Summer Class of 2023
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Picture from Jay A.‘s LinkedIn profile
“Not only has this program shown me the importance of learning from others, but also about passing down what I have learned from my experiences—skills and lessons that I hope to teach to others,” student Jay A. added.
Jay A.
M.E.T.ia Summer Class of 2023
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Picture from Kaelen C.’s LinkedIn profile
Another program highlight was an IPO simulation led by Michael Grimes, BS 87, EECS, the head of Global Technology Investment Banking at Morgan Stanley and the M.E.T. program’s founder. The session taught students about how an IPO works in the real world. “It was fascinating to see the different forces manipulate the price, but all within a set of rules,” M.E.T.ia student Kaelen C. said.
Kaelen C.
M.E.T.ia Summer Class of 2023
M.E.T.ia Photo Gallery
