What is the Acton Children’s Business Fair?
The Acton Children’s Business Fair aims to inspire children to discover their inner entrepreneur. The largest entrepreneurship event for children in North America, this one-day market gives children the opportunity to showcase their very own businesses.
How many businesses will you accept?
This year, the maximum number of businesses is 100.
Where should I begin?
Then read inspiring stories about other young entrepreneurs or even play games to hone your business skills.
How do I apply? Can I apply as part of a group?
Applications must be submitted online. Please submit one application for each business. Children working as a group should submit one application that includes each child’s information.
Maximum 3 participants per business.
What is the age group?
This year, we are open for ages 5-15 on the day Children's Business Fair
Group 1: 5 to 7-year-old (up to 40 spaces)
Group 2: 8 to 10-year-old (up to 40 spaces)
Group 3: 11 to 15-year-old (up to 40 spaces)
For mixed-age groups, the age group will be based on the oldest participant.
What is the fee? The pricing below is for CBF2024
RM135 (1 or 2 participants) - We will provide 2 t-shirts
RM170 (3 participants) - We will provide 3 t-shirts
What is required in the application?
The application asks young entrepreneurs to think through some simple, but essential elements of their business:
- What product or service do you plan to sell?
- What price will you charge for each product/service? How much will each product/service cost you?
- How will you pay for your startup costs? If someone is helping you with your startup costs, how will you pay that person back?
- How will you advertise/market your business before the fair?
- At the end of the fair, how will you determine if your business was a success?
What if someone else has the same business idea?
Two cupcake businesses? Not a problem. In general, we will let market forces play out, though we will let later entries know if another applicant has a similar idea so the later entrant can decide what to do.
How will the fair be set up?
The fair will be on the Paradigm Mall PJ (Upper Atrium, Level UG). Each business will be given a booth with an oblong table and two chairs. Tablecloths will NOT be provided.
Will electricity be available?
Businesses requiring electricity or generators will NOT be allowed.
What are the rules?
This event is designed to give children the experience of selling a product or service. If a parent is found selling or promoting a child’s product or service, their child’s business will be disqualified from the competition.
Parents of younger children may sit in the booth, but the children should be responsible for set-up, customer interaction, and sales.
Parents may help their children fill out the application, but we expect the children to do as much as possible by themselves.
How did the Acton Children’s Business Fair get started?
Jeff and Laura Sandefer and a few other families wanted to spark a sense of wonder and entrepreneurship in their children so they created the first Acton Children’s Business Fair in Austin, Texas, in 2007. That year, there were seven entrepreneurs and around 25 attendees. Now, over 115 entrepreneurs and 1,500 attendees are at the Acton Children's Business Fair in Austin.
