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Children's Business Fair Willemstad, Curacao
Saturday, May 23, 2026
9:30AM - 12:00PM
Currently accepting applications 🏁
Apply to the fair
About the fair
Observe the opportunity for children to launch their very own business!
Children 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 Acton Academy, 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 Steve Jobs or Sara Blakely 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.
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Tracey Howard
🗓️ Started hosting in 2025
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Frequently asked questions
What is the Acton Children's Business Fair?
The Acton Children's Business Fair is a global entrepreneurship event that inspires children to discover their inner entrepreneur. This one-day market gives children the opportunity to open and showcase their very own businesses.
Who is this for?
Any young person in Curaçao ages 8-14 who are interested in having a business are invited to participate.
When is the date, time and location?
The Acton Children's Business Fair in Curacao will be located at Kura Hulanda Village and held on Saturday May 23, 2026 from 9:30am-12:00pm.
The Acton Children's Business Fair is a global entrepreneurship event that inspires children to discover their inner entrepreneur. This one-day market gives children the opportunity to open and showcase their very own businesses.
Who is this for?
Any young person in Curaçao ages 8-14 who are interested in having a business are invited to participate.
When is the date, time and location?
The Acton Children's Business Fair in Curacao will be located at Kura Hulanda Village and held on Saturday May 23, 2026 from 9:30am-12:00pm.
How many businesses will you accept?
We will accept up to 25 businesses.
We will accept up to 25 businesses.
How do I apply? Can I apply as part of a group?
Applications must be submitted online by May 15, 2026. 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 participation fee?
Businesses who are accepted will pay a one-time participation fee of 20 XCG.
Applications must be submitted online by May 15, 2026. 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 participation fee?
Businesses who are accepted will pay a one-time participation fee of 20 XCG.
What if someone else has the same business idea?
Two jewelry 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.
Two jewelry 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 approximate 8-foot table (to share with one other business), full-cover tenting, and 1-2 chairs. Table cloths will not be provided. We are not able to accommodate businesses requiring electricity.
The fair will be a tented outdoor event with booths. Each business will be given a booth with an approximate 8-foot table (to share with one other business), full-cover tenting, and 1-2 chairs. Table cloths will not be provided. We are not able to accommodate businesses requiring electricity.
Will electricity be available?
Unfortunately, we are not able to provide electricity to the booths.
Unfortunately, we are not able to provide electricity to the booths.
What are the rules?
This event is designed to give children the experience of selling a product or service.
Mindset of parents: We ask for minimal parental involvement - from beginning to end - so that young people can learn independently what it takes to launch a business.
The creative act of making the products, thinking of what to sell it for (with helpful questions from parents), designing the business poster, learning how to do basic math and give change, are all learning moments we want to stay with the child.
Equally, experiences like realizing they didn't make enough products, nervousness talking to customers, or struggling on how to give change, are also learning moments. Thank you parents for stepping back, yet providing gentle guidance and coaching where needed.
This event is designed to give children the experience of selling a product or service.
Mindset of parents: We ask for minimal parental involvement - from beginning to end - so that young people can learn independently what it takes to launch a business.
The creative act of making the products, thinking of what to sell it for (with helpful questions from parents), designing the business poster, learning how to do basic math and give change, are all learning moments we want to stay with the child.
Equally, experiences like realizing they didn't make enough products, nervousness talking to customers, or struggling on how to give change, are also learning moments. Thank you parents for stepping back, yet providing gentle guidance and coaching where needed.
During the Fair, 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.
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.
