The Acton Children’s Business Fair inspires children to discover their inner entrepreneur. The largest entrepreneurship event for kids in North America, this one-day market gives children the opportunity to showcase their very own businesses.

We will accept up to 36 businesses max. Register early to secure your spot.

Start with our resources page. Read inspiring stories about other young entrepreneurs and play games to hone your business skills.

The application 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. 

No more than 3 participants per business unless of the same household.

The application asks kids to think through some simple, but important elements of their business:

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.

The fair will be an outdoor event with long tables serving as the business' "booths." Each business will need a table and 1-2 chairs. Tablecloths will not be provided; you must bring your own. We are not able to accommodate businesses requiring electricity. Bring any additional display cases or hangers as needed for your business.

Unfortunately, we are not able to provide electricity to the tables/booths, and no businesses requiring electricity or generators will be allowed.

This event is designed to give children the total learning experience of selling a product or service. Please let them have that experience.

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 child(ren) fill out the application, but we expect the children to do as much as possible by themselves.

Applicants must be between the ages of 6-14 on or before the application open date, which is May 15, 2021. 

All entries will be automatically entered in the business competition, and booths will be judged by fellow entrepreneurs and volunteer judges on a variety of criteria, including most original business idea, highest business potential, and best presentation/creativity.

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

The age groups are 6-7, 8-10, 11-12, and 13-14. If children of different age groups prepare a booth together, they will be judged in the age group of the oldest participant.

An awards ceremony will be held immediately following the Children's Business Fair. You must attend to claim your prize.

Can I get a sponsor for my children's business?

No, sorry. There will be NO soliciting personal or individual business sponsors for your child's product.

When will we find out if we are accepted into the fair?

We will begin to notify accepted applicants on a first come first come basis, within 1-2 business days after the application is received, and will continue accepting applicants until we reach our cap of 36 businesses.

Is there an application fee?

No. It doesn't cost anything to apply to be part of the fair.

However, once accepted, we will collect a $20 participation fee to secure your spot and offset hosting costs.

Does it cost money to participate in the fair?

Yes. Once your business idea is accepted, we will collect a $20 participation fee, which must be earned by the child.

Other expenses are associated with participating in this fair are the materials your child will need to buy in order to create their product to sell.

The children must repay any loans required to launch their business, such as materials, marketing/signage expenses, and the participation fee.  

What if it rains the day of the fair?

This event will happen rain or shine, and we look forward to seeing you there. In the case of inclement weather, we will look to move the table indoors, but you may also consider bringing a tent to go over the table if you have one.

The fair will NOT be rescheduled.

What COVID-19 guidelines will be in place?

Each business will have its own table, and be at least 6 feet from another business. We ask customers to not crowd tables, shopping one at a time at the booths.

As the event is outdoors, it will abide by CDC's newest guidelines which state masks are no longer needed outdoors for vaccinated people. We ask non-vaccinated people to still wear a mask while browsing the business booths.

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, there are over 115 entrepreneurs and 1,500 attendees at the Acton Children's Business Fair in Austin, TX.