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Registration for the 2026 Richmond Children's Business will begin on August 1, 2025!
Richmond Children's Business Fair, Richmond, Virginia
Sunday, March 8, 2026
1:00PM - 4:00PM
Currently accepting applications 🏁
Apply to the fair
About the fair
Observe the opportunity for children to launch their very own startup business!
Kids develop a brand, create a product or service, build a marketing strategy, and then open for customers at our one-day marketplace.
Originally started in Austin, Texas, the Acton Children's Business Fair (ACBF) has grown to cities including Chicago, Phoenix, Grand Rapids, Dallas, and Los Angeles.
Originally started in Austin, Texas, the Acton Children's Business Fair (ACBF) has grown to cities including Chicago, Phoenix, Grand Rapids, Dallas, and Los Angeles.
The Youth Business Exchange and the Metropolitan Business League are proud to host the 7th Annual Richmond Children's Business Fair on Sunday, March 8th, 2024!
There will be a $35 entry fee per business. Youthpreneurs must be between the ages of 5-17 to participate.
We want to make sure that the youthpreneurs have a positive experience without added pressure; therefore, participants will not be judged for this event.
This event is sponsored by Acton Academy and the Acton School of Business. Other sponsors and partners will be announced in January 2024. 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.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
Click here to apply.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
Click here to apply.
Take a look at the media coverage of our previous events:
2018
Richmond Times Dispatch:
https://www.richmond.com/business/local/no-allowance-needed-youth-entrepreneurs-converge-at-first-richmond-children/article_e702e171-d209-583b-a157-0d8f267790cb.html
Urban News Weekly:
https://urbanviewsweekly.com/2018/03/21/young-entrepreneurs-thrive-at-richmonds-childrens-business-fair/
CBS Virginia This Morning:
https://wtvr.com/2018/02/27/kid-inventors-take-center-stage/
WRIC TV 8:
https://www.wric.com/news/richmond-hosts-first-childrens-business-fair_20180326074133831/1078340318
NBC 12:
http://www.nbc12.com/clip/14217070/business-savvy-kids-show-off-skills-at-richmond-childrens-business-fair
https://www.richmond.com/business/local/no-allowance-needed-youth-entrepreneurs-converge-at-first-richmond-children/article_e702e171-d209-583b-a157-0d8f267790cb.html
Urban News Weekly:
https://urbanviewsweekly.com/2018/03/21/young-entrepreneurs-thrive-at-richmonds-childrens-business-fair/
CBS Virginia This Morning:
https://wtvr.com/2018/02/27/kid-inventors-take-center-stage/
WRIC TV 8:
https://www.wric.com/news/richmond-hosts-first-childrens-business-fair_20180326074133831/1078340318
NBC 12:
http://www.nbc12.com/clip/14217070/business-savvy-kids-show-off-skills-at-richmond-childrens-business-fair
2019
WTVR- March 1
https://wtvr.com/2019/03/01/child-entrepreneurs/?fbclid=IwAR3kMFHCS2_UNAbyP3OQOf1F5QkOBJIyYurcOw9mbaXYW6XGsvlnPpqH9ns
WRIC TV 8- March 5
https://www.wric.com/video/richmond-children-s-business-fair_20190306162829/1830702859?fbclid=IwAR1FxZEEE40Mms1KQ_wYfCevNho6LwcAPuOxMMFGqw5Fq6FRDgNJ1hpYD88
NBC 12- February 26
http://www.nbc12.com/video/2019/02/26/richmond-children-business-fair/?fbclid=IwAR2PggIHnFGNJVr0svksddVPesnw6bXOdwFMfnvK5hxCLdDL6kv7z7wEsaw
NBC 12- March 8
https://www.facebook.com/KarlaRedditteNBC12/videos/598279913977143/?__xts__[0]=68.ARA2bVne56kiu2fzdl1wC2fLn96Ar7mkRvqDEMuuaKXoBPCg0_E2VxWC3DZQSwBFPvB729umDWbAmAxxgFjM9TSSZGH0-EwYE6AFzdIbOMJp_w0NoMf9Agrh4KDOGqcvGpHEnK7z2MZ6NLT4pRcOav01GhLp5JVP55j5MukXFgANzzSyUl-7kC5-kqQgn9q43rxnnUQfNrbSSdCipTkykvsfkWNFqEdmRtST-zjF58aJo1bQI9lM0yL3BkJGoRezWYhedAP5nfS3EFbKYD4Vo6tPQQDP2yviQIcQMqKunDQ2JBajGsumi1ZahAtCuKhiwhfOnjJA_4XvsGG0jnDO3zlvS-soB--rnGKkJA&__tn__=-R
CEO Magazine
https://www.facebook.com/yberva/posts/2168488043209252?__tn__=-R
2020
WTVR Virginia This Morning- February 27
https://www.wtvr.com/on-air/virginia-this-morning/3rd-annual-richmond-childrens-business-fair
WRIC- March 2
https://youtu.be/UdjriLMnQaQ
2021
NBC12- July 14
https://www.nbc12.com/video/2021/07/14/cj-walker-discusses-richmond-children-business-fair-return/?fbclid=IwAR1WioVdmktMqZnl9O2BN7pxYT_LST5jCTMj57lxWv8TvSvq_z0ogHwwUY8
2022
NBC12- March 11
https://www.nbc12.com/video/2022/03/11/richmond-children-business-fair/?fbclid=IwAR1wJemfgjHqOY5eOYR_2bfX17k6xSCbSZO2GcbVoJDstQmQRknQ18hpr0o
CBS6- March 12
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6WeHzn8W4E
2024
NBC12 About Town Today- March 5
https://www.12onyourside.com/video/2024/03/05/2024-richmond-childrens-business-fair-dewey-gottwald-center-march-10th/?fbclid=IwAR3a1hHscYWq4JQk6LMiWkXGQPHeIAJQ_ne9MnemL5WOM-juDGbLNn4aUh8
Check out our 2020 Online RCBF:
https://www.facebook.com/1718581221533272/videos/385989325769751
https://wtvr.com/2019/03/01/child-entrepreneurs/?fbclid=IwAR3kMFHCS2_UNAbyP3OQOf1F5QkOBJIyYurcOw9mbaXYW6XGsvlnPpqH9ns
WRIC TV 8- March 5
https://www.wric.com/video/richmond-children-s-business-fair_20190306162829/1830702859?fbclid=IwAR1FxZEEE40Mms1KQ_wYfCevNho6LwcAPuOxMMFGqw5Fq6FRDgNJ1hpYD88
NBC 12- February 26
http://www.nbc12.com/video/2019/02/26/richmond-children-business-fair/?fbclid=IwAR2PggIHnFGNJVr0svksddVPesnw6bXOdwFMfnvK5hxCLdDL6kv7z7wEsaw
NBC 12- March 8
https://www.facebook.com/KarlaRedditteNBC12/videos/598279913977143/?__xts__[0]=68.ARA2bVne56kiu2fzdl1wC2fLn96Ar7mkRvqDEMuuaKXoBPCg0_E2VxWC3DZQSwBFPvB729umDWbAmAxxgFjM9TSSZGH0-EwYE6AFzdIbOMJp_w0NoMf9Agrh4KDOGqcvGpHEnK7z2MZ6NLT4pRcOav01GhLp5JVP55j5MukXFgANzzSyUl-7kC5-kqQgn9q43rxnnUQfNrbSSdCipTkykvsfkWNFqEdmRtST-zjF58aJo1bQI9lM0yL3BkJGoRezWYhedAP5nfS3EFbKYD4Vo6tPQQDP2yviQIcQMqKunDQ2JBajGsumi1ZahAtCuKhiwhfOnjJA_4XvsGG0jnDO3zlvS-soB--rnGKkJA&__tn__=-R
CEO Magazine
https://www.facebook.com/yberva/posts/2168488043209252?__tn__=-R
2020
WTVR Virginia This Morning- February 27
https://www.wtvr.com/on-air/virginia-this-morning/3rd-annual-richmond-childrens-business-fair
WRIC- March 2
https://youtu.be/UdjriLMnQaQ
2021
NBC12- July 14
https://www.nbc12.com/video/2021/07/14/cj-walker-discusses-richmond-children-business-fair-return/?fbclid=IwAR1WioVdmktMqZnl9O2BN7pxYT_LST5jCTMj57lxWv8TvSvq_z0ogHwwUY8
2022
NBC12- March 11
https://www.nbc12.com/video/2022/03/11/richmond-children-business-fair/?fbclid=IwAR1wJemfgjHqOY5eOYR_2bfX17k6xSCbSZO2GcbVoJDstQmQRknQ18hpr0o
CBS6- March 12
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6WeHzn8W4E
2024
NBC12 About Town Today- March 5
https://www.12onyourside.com/video/2024/03/05/2024-richmond-childrens-business-fair-dewey-gottwald-center-march-10th/?fbclid=IwAR3a1hHscYWq4JQk6LMiWkXGQPHeIAJQ_ne9MnemL5WOM-juDGbLNn4aUh8
Check out our 2020 Online RCBF:
https://www.facebook.com/1718581221533272/videos/385989325769751
Hosted by
CJ Walker
🗓️ Started hosting in 2018
✅ Identity verified
⭐️ 5.0 (4)
Our organization, the Youth Business Exchange, has hosted the Richmond Children's Business Fair since 2018! We've helped hundreds of youth start and maintain their businesses. Give us the opportunity to do the same for your youthpreneur.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Acton Children’s Business Fair?
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.
How many businesses will you accept?
We will accept up to 75 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 an indoor event with booths. Each business will be given a booth with an 6-foot table and 1-3 chairs. Table cloths will not be provided. We are able to accommodate a limited number businesses requiring electricity.
Will electricity be available?
We are able to accommodate a limited number businesses requiring electricity.
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.
