The Chicago Children’s Business Fair inspires children to discover their inner entrepreneur. Based on the Acton Children's Business Fair, which is the largest entrepreneurship event for kids in North America, this one-day market gives children the opportunity to showcase their very own businesses.

We will accept up to 80 businesses.

What ages can apply for the fair?

We'll accept business from children between the ages of 5 and 15. This is based on how old they would be on the day of the Fair.

Is there any cost?

We ask Vendors pay a $20 fee to help offset the costs of running the event. This must be paid before the fair. You will be redirected to a PayPal payment page at completion of your registration.

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:

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.

I've applied. Now what?

Excellent! We're glad to have you on board! We'll send out a confirmation email within one week of receiving your application. We'll also be having launch event about 1 month before the fair, to make sure you know what to expect. In the meantime, start getting your business wares ready!

How will the fair be set up?

The fair will be at a location indoors. Each vendor will receive a 6 ft table and two chairs for their business. Vendors are responsible for providing any table coverings and decorations for their business. Vendors will not be guaranteed a space to hang things on the wall or access to electricity, although these items can be requested and will be available on a very limited basis.

We have limited access to electrical outlets.  Please let us know upon registration if you'll require an outlet.

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.

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.