Acton Founders Business Fair Brandon, Manitoba, Canada
Saturday, July 18, 2026
9:00AM - 2:00PM
Currently accepting applications 🏁
Apply to the fair
About the fair
Observe the opportunity for youth to launch their very own startup business! Youth aged 15 - 18 years of age.
Youth develop a brand, create a product or service, build a marketing strategy, and then open for customers at our one-day marketplace.
We will host booths at the 1st annual event Riverbank Discovery Centre on July 19, 2025 from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm.
This event is sponsored by Acton Academy, the Acton School of Business, 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 Michele Romanow or McCain brothers 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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Wendy Petersen
🗓️ Started hosting in 2022
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Frequently asked questions
What is the Acton Founders Business Fair?
The Acton Founders Business Fair inspires youth to discover their inner entrepreneur. The largest entrepreneurship event for youth in North America, this one-day market gives youth the opportunity to showcase their very own businesses.
How many businesses will you accept?
We will accept up to 25 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. Youth working as a group should submit one application that includes each youth'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?
Each business will be given a booth and must provide a table and chair. Shelter is recommended. Limited amount of electrical connections.
Will electricity be available?
Unfortunately, we are will have limited electricity to the booths.
What are the rules?
This event is designed to give youth the experience of selling a product or service. If a parent is found selling or promoting a youth's product or service, their youth's business will be disqualified from the competition.
Parents may help their youth fill out the application, but we expect the youth 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.
