AZ Children's Business Fair Phoenix, AZ event image
📣 We are now sold out for the fair. Please email azchildrensbusinessfair@gmail.com to join our waitlist and to be added to future email announcements.

AZ Children's Business Fair Phoenix, AZ

Saturday, November 23, 2024

10:00AM - 1:00PM

Arcadia Park

3402 N 56th St, Phoenix, AZ 85018, USA

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About the fair
Observe the opportunity for children to launch their very own startup business!

Young entrepreneurs age 6 to 14 years old develop a brand, create a product or service, build a marketing strategy, and then open for customers at our one-day marketplace. 

This event is sponsored by New Learning Ventures, Acton Academy Phoenix, Phoenix Modern, the Acton School of Business, and the generous support of our donors and volunteers. We all believe that principled entrepreneurs are heroes and role models for the next generation.

Whether an entrepreneur is famous like Elon Musk or Oprah Winfrey or they are one of the thousands of unsung business owners across this country, these are the people who make sacrifices to innovate, create jobs and serve their communities.

A big thanks to our Executive Sponsors - LiftedTrucks.com, Tenet Equity and equipment sponsor, Bellair Golf Park. They have been amazing in helping cover the costs of the fair and encouraging our young entrepreneurs.

We need volunteers! Please consider giving back as a parent or past participant and help volunteer to set up or take down booths or serve at the information booth. You can sign up here.
Hosted by

Andrew Collins

🗓️ Started hosting in 2017

Identity verified

⭐️ 4.8 (12)

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. The event is run through New Learning Ventures, Inc., an Arizona 501c3 nonprofit. 

130 booths participating

Mini Cookies by Mini people

J. Slings

And 128 others.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Acton Children’s Business Fair?

The Acton Children’s Business Fair inspires children age 6 to 14 years old (Kinder thru 8th grade) 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.

What ages can participate?
Participants must be between the ages of 6 and 14 by the date of the fair or no older than 8th grade. 

How many businesses will you accept?

We will accept up to 130 businesses.

Where should I begin? 

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

How do I apply? Can I apply as part of a group?

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.

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? 

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 an 6-foot table, full-cover tenting (10 ft wide), and 2 chairs. Table cloths will not be provided. 

Will electricity be available?

Electricity is available only by request and includes an extra $10 charge on top of the regular booth fee. There will be limited electricity booths and designated in an assigned area. 

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 at the booth, 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 fairs all over the world with thousands of young entrepreneurs learning how to create value and have fun.

The Children's Business Fair operates as a nonprofit venture. We require the support of many people and organizations to organize and fund this event. If interested in financially supporting the fair or helping to volunteer, please email azchildrensbusinessfair@gmail.com. Thanks!

Our incredible sponsors

Children's Business Fair

Acton Academy

Next Great Adventure

Acton Academy Phoenix

Phoenix Modern

Arcadia News

Junk Genies

Lifted Trucks

Tenet Equity

Baileywiki Media