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If you are interested in applying to be a kid entrepreneur at the next fair, please add your name to the mailing list and you will be notified of the next fair. Thanks!
📣
If you are interested in applying to be a kid entrepreneur at the next fair, please add your name to the mailing list and you will be notified of the next fair. Thanks!
Observe the opportunity for children to launch their very own startup business! And make some great money in the process!
Kids will develop a brand, create a product or service, build a marketing strategy, and then sell those products and services at our one-day marketplace with over 750 community members.
If you are interested in applying to be a kid entrepreneur for the next fair, please add your name to the mailing list and you will be notified of the next fair. Thanks!
We are a team of passionate entrepreneurs, teachers, mentors, and parents, who want our children to learn about entrepreneurship in a practical and fun way. If you feel the same way, we hope you'll join us.
The Children’s Business Fair inspires children to discover their inner entrepreneur. As the largest entrepreneurship event for kids in North America, this one-day market gives children the opportunity to showcase their very own businesses. Children K-8 can participate.
How many businesses will you accept?
We will accept up to 125 kid businesses.
How do I apply? Can I apply as part of a group?
Application/payment 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.
What is on the application?
The application asks kids to think through some simple, but important 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?
Is there an application fee? How much money will I make at the Fair?
At the end of the application process, you will be directed to PayPal to make a $20/booth payment (not per child). Your registration is not complete, and your booth will not be reserved until payment is made. This reserves one booth at the fair and includes one cool AZCBF hat. Although we can't promise what each student will make at the fair, the average business makes hundreds of dollars. Last year, over a dozen students made $1000+ with their amazing businesses. But it all depends on you.
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 a tented outdoor event with booths. Each business will be given a booth with a 6-foot table, full-cover tenting, and 2 chairs. Table cloths will not be provided. If your business requires electricity, please click this option in the application process.
Will electricity be available?
This is by request only. Our fair will have limited spots for this, so please make sure to sign up early to request this.
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 child 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, there are over 115 entrepreneurs and 1,500 attendees at the Acton Children's Business Fair in Austin.
Our incredible sponsors
This event is sponsored by the generous support of our sponsors listed below and many volunteers. We all believe that principled entrepreneurs are heroes and role models for the next generation.
The Acton Children's Business Fair does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin and admits and gives all hosts and participants access to the same rights, privileges, programs and activities.
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