Project XL is an educational non-profit in Fayetteville, Georgia. The program was founded by Special Education Teacher, Melanie Holt. In 2015, she was searching for a program that would prepare her son for Kindergarten. Nearby options had a narrow focus. Melanie Holt wanted her son to eXceL in Kindergarten, so she designed a curriculum that would expose him to the state-mandated Kindergarten standards, strengthen his deficits, and give him unique social experiences with boys his age! Today, that same little social group continues to meet each summer to explore the content for the upcoming grade level. Throughout the school year they continue to meet weekly during the school year to catch-up and work on S.T.E.A.M.-related projects together!
How did the Acton Children’s Business Fair get started?

Jeff and Laura Sandefer along with a few other families wanted to spark a sense of wonder and entrepreneurship in their children. That led them to host the first Acton Children’s Business Fair in Austin, Texas, in 2007. In the induction year of the fair, there were seven entrepreneurs and over 20 attendees. Now, there are over 115 entrepreneurs and 1,500 attendees at the Acton Children's Business Fair in Austin.

The Acton Children’s Business Fair is the largest entrepreneurship event for kids in North America. This one-day market gives children the opportunity to showcase their very own businesses and inspires them to discover their inner entrepreneur.

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

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?
How much will each product/service cost you? What price will you charge for each product/service?
How will you pay for your startup? 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?

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 held indoors. Each business will be given booth space, table, and chairs. Any other items used to promote the business will be the responsibility of the participant.

We are able to provide electricity to the booths.

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 should take on the role as an observer! Enjoy watching your child interact with others. Take pictures, post your kidpreneuer on your Facebook page, but be in the moment and be amazed at the child you have!