The Ascent Children’s Business Fair (CBF) inspires children to discover their inner entrepreneur. During the one day marketplace, children have the opportunity to showcase their very own businesses to the public!

The 2026 fair will accommodate 35-45 businesses.

In order to participate as a business owner, all entrepreneurs must be between 6 and 14 years old.

Yes. Children working as a group should submit one application that includes each child’s information. No more than 3 participants per business. All business participants need to be between 6 and 14 years old.

This event is designed to give young people the experience of selling a product or service, resulting in the development of essential skills, and often resulting in evolving business plans.

As such, we ask parents to take on the role of an Encourager for the budding entrepreneur, and remain actively curious along their process, asking great questions that help them think through options and frameworks (instead of leading them towards what to think). If a parent is found creating, selling or promoting a young entrepreneur’s product or service, their child’s business will be disqualified from participating.

Parents must supervise their children at all times, but the children should be responsible for set up, customer interaction, and sales independent from parents.

Parents may help their child fill out the application, but we expect the children to do as much as possible on their own.

While historically about ⅓ of participants have come from the host campus, Ascent Academy, the other ⅔ (or more!) have come from around Austin, and even have travelled from around the state!

Yes, the fair/marketplace is open and FREE to the public to attend!

Yes, each business is charged a $25 booth fee.

The fair is open rain or shine. If your child is selected to participate as a vendor, please come prepared to remain open through the elements.

During open registration, applications must be submitted online. Once registration is open, click the "APPLY TO THE FAIR" button on the homepage of our website. Please only submit one application per business.

*IMPORTANT: Submitting an application is just part one of our process to obtain a spot at the fair. If your child submits an application, please monitor your email for additional information.

The fair is an outdoor event with covered booth space. Each business gets approximately a 10x10 covered space with a table and two chairs. Tablecloths are not provided, and each business is responsible for decorating their own booth.

There is no electricity at the fair, and gas- or fuel-powered generators are not permitted- even quiet models produce exhaust, and in a tight row of booths the noise makes it hard for young entrepreneurs to talk with their customers. Open flames, propane, and butane burners are not permitted either.

Battery power is welcome: power banks, portable battery stations (sometimes sold as "solar generators"), battery string lights, rechargeable fans, and coolers with ice all work well. Plan your booth around what runs on a charge.

While there isn’t a limitation (so long as you are within the bounds explained on this website), the sky is the limit! That said, we are mindful of accepting too many booths with similar products. So we encourage you to get creative, and curious!

Besides the hard-earned-cash you walk away with from selling your goods and products, and the priceless experience of having a real customer experience, your business is also competing for the following awards, which are given to businesses in each age-bracket:

Most Original Business Idea,
Highest Business Potential, and
Best Presentation.

Cash prizes of $50 per category and age group (to be split among the business owners) will be presented at the conclusion of the fair.