What is the Acton Children’s Business Fair?
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. Kids from age 6-17 are welcome to join in on the fun!! Younger kids should be accompanied by another child partner of the recommended age range.
How many businesses will you accept?
We will accept up to 40 businesses.
Where should I begin?
Looking for inspiration? 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. Children working as a group should submit one application that includes each child’s information. No more than 3 participants per business please.
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?
The fair will be an outdoor event at the 8th and Main Street CourtYard parking lot. Because it is an outdoor event we have chosen to do an early day event to hopefully have nice weather. Each business will be given a space about the size of 10x10space. Businesses will need to plan to bring all of their own set up for the event as we will not have tables available for this or shade canopies. You are welcome to bring any setup you need for your booth but it will need to fit it into their space which will be approximately 10X10 on the grass or if we have a large turn out we will set booths up in the parking spaces and will be one space per booth. If you have a larger shade structure than our booth spaces please feel free to bring and set up and welcome another booth to share with you. Additionally shade will not be provided and participants are welcome and encouraged to bring their own. We are not able to accommodate all businesses requiring electricity but do have a limited amount of locations with power and will be available on a first come first registered basis. Remember to have sunscreen!
Will electricity be available?
We are not able to accommodate all businesses requiring electricity but do have a limited amount of locations with power and will be available on a first come first registered basis.
What are the rules?
This event is designed to give children the experience of selling a product or service. If a parent has made or is found selling or promoting a child’s product or service, their child’s business will be disqualified from the competition. Parents are allowed to utilize their social media and word of mouth to help promote their kids booths and we encourage you to do so!
Parents of younger children may sit in the booth and provide assistance, but the children should be responsible for as much set up and customer interaction as possible, and responsible for their sales.
Parents may help their child fill out the application, but we expect the children to do as much as possible by themselves. Please ask them the questions.
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.
