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 40 businesses.

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

Who is eligible to participate?
Applicants must be between the ages of 6-18.  The business fair is open to young entrepreneurs that would like the opportunity to sell.  You do not have to be an Acton Academy student to participate. 

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.

Is there a fee? 

There is a $20 booth fee for each booth. This is to be paid within 24 hours of application acceptance. 

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 in the parking area. Each business will be given a 6-foot table and 1-2 chairs. Table cloths will not be provided. Each business is allowed to bring their own decorations, signs, tablecloths, backdrops.  Tents may be set up by individual businesses, no larger than 10x10.  (If windy, please bring weights to secure your tent.)  We are not easily able to accommodate businesses requiring electricity.  A very limited number of booths will have access to electricity.  These booths will be assigned to those who ask via application or email on a first-come-first-served basis. 

A very limited number of booths will have access to electricity.   Businesses requiring electricity will be carefully reviewed during the application process.  Approval may or may not be granted depending on limited access.  Booths requesting and approved for electricity will be on a first come, first served basis.  No generators, please.  

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.

Parents of children younger than 13 are required to remain on-site for the duration of the business fair.

What should I bring on the day of the fair?
1.   A sign for your business
2.  A tablecloth and tape or clips to secure it
3.  An item to store your money in during the event
4.  Extra change in case your customers pay in larger bills
5.  Any decor you would like to bring to enhance your booth
6.  Jackets, hats, gloves in case the weather is cool

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.