The Acton Children’s Business Fair inspires children age 4 to 14 to discover their inner entrepreneur. This one-day market gives children the opportunity to showcase their very own businesses. 

We will accept up to 13 businesses. Children must create their own products (or significantly modify products to make them their own) or services. Since we partner with a local farmer's market, we will not be able to accept businesses that sell products already sold by regular vendors at the farmer's market, including but not limited to foods, drinks, pet treats, bath and body products, natural shampoos/conditioners, and natural fragrance. Please feel free to email us to inquire if your product will be eligible prior to submitting an application. Unfortunately, we are not able to accommodate businesses requiring electricity.

Start with our resources page by clicking below:

Read inspiring stories about other young entrepreneurs and play games to hone your business skills.

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.

When will I find out if my business is accepted?

If you submit before October 14, you will find out on October 21. If you submit on or after October October 14, you will find out within 2 weeks of submitting your application. 

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

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.

If my business is accepted, how much is the booth fee?

$20 per business

The fair will be an outdoor event at the Bay Area Farmer's Market (a mall parking lot with booths). Each business will be given a 10x10 ft space to set up as they wish and must bring a 5-8 ft folding table. 

This event is designed to give children the experience of selling a product or service. Parents may help their child fill out the application, but we expect the children to do as much as possible by themselves. On the day of the fair, the children should be responsible for set up, customer interaction, and sales.

Will there be awards/prizes?

Yes!  There will be an Audience Choice Award associated with a $50 cash prize. 

What if there's inclement weather the day of?

The Children's Business Fair will be held, rain or shine. However, in the case of inclement weather occurring, appropriate decisions will be made by the host as to canceling, delaying, re-scheduling, closing the fair early, etc. 

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.