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.
What ages can participate?

Ages 6 to 14 on the date of the Fair are welcome to apply.
When do applications open?
Feb. 1, 2026
When do applications close?
April 17, 2026

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

The 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.

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?

The application fee is $20 per table. (This can include up to 3 children). The Venmo payment link at the end of the application is wrong. Use this payment link: https://www.venmo.com/u/actonjc or open Venmo and search for 'actonjc'.

Two cupcake businesses? Not a problem. In general, we will let market forces play out, though we will let later entrants know if another applicant has a similar idea so the later entrant can decide what to do.

The fair will be an indoor event with tables. Each business will be given a table to share with one other business (either round or rectangular), and 1-2 chairs per business. We will let you know the shape of your table when your application is accepted. Tablecloths will not be provided. We are not able to accommodate businesses requiring electricity.
Will there be Prizes?

There will be prizes for the most original business idea, highest business potential (most likely to succeed), and best presentation. Cash prizes per category (to be split among the business owners) will be
presented at the conclusion of the fair. (Judges will be invited and selected by the host.)

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 complete the application, but we expect the children to do as much as possible themselves.
The businesses should offer products or services that are age-appropriate for children to create and sell.
Items primarily intended for adult consumption (such as coffee or energy drinks) are not permitted at the fair.
Final approval of all business ideas rests with the Owner, whose role is to steward a safe, consistent, and developmentally appropriate experience for all participants.

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.