We Are HYPE Children's Business Fair
Sunday, August 1, 2027
10:00AM - 1:00PM
Applications are closed
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About the fair
Come Witness the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs!
Join us as young people in our community launch their very own startup businesses! At the Children’s Business Fair, kids will develop a brand, create a product or service, design a marketing strategy, and open their doors to real customers—all in one exciting, one-day marketplace.
We’re proud to host up to 50 youth-run businesses at this hands-on, inspiring event! The Fair will take place at 4200 Georgetown Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32210,
This event is made possible by Acton Academy, the Acton School of Business, and the generous support of our donors and volunteers. We believe that these junior entrepreneurs are heroes and role models, inspiring the next generation to dream big and take action.
Join us as young people in our community launch their very own startup businesses! At the Children’s Business Fair, kids will develop a brand, create a product or service, design a marketing strategy, and open their doors to real customers—all in one exciting, one-day marketplace.
We’re proud to host up to 50 youth-run businesses at this hands-on, inspiring event! The Fair will take place at 4200 Georgetown Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32210,
This event is made possible by Acton Academy, the Acton School of Business, and the generous support of our donors and volunteers. We believe that these junior entrepreneurs are heroes and role models, inspiring the next generation to dream big and take action.
Hosted by
Andrew Bowman
🗓️ Started hosting in 2023
✅ Identity verified
🚀 Has hosted 1 fair
Frequently asked questions
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.
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.
How many businesses will you accept?
We will accept up to 50 businesses.
We will accept up to 50 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.
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?
Applications must be submitted online. Please submit one application for each business. Children working as a group should submit a single application that includes the information of each child—no more than 3 participants per business.
Applications must be submitted online. Please submit one application for each business. Children working as a group should submit a single application that includes the information of each child—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:
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.
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?
Event Setup & Booth Details
The Children’s Business Fair will be held indoors in the gymnasium, with each youth business provided a dedicated booth. Booths will include:
A 6- or 8-foot table (shared with one other business if needed)
Full-cover tenting for a professional marketplace look
1–2 chairs
Please note:
Tablecloths are not provided
Electricity is potentially available**
This setup ensures every young entrepreneur has a professional and organized space to showcase their product or service while creating a fun and engaging marketplace for attendees.
Event Setup & Booth Details
The Children’s Business Fair will be held indoors in the gymnasium, with each youth business provided a dedicated booth. Booths will include:
A 6- or 8-foot table (shared with one other business if needed)
Full-cover tenting for a professional marketplace look
1–2 chairs
Please note:
Tablecloths are not provided
Electricity is potentially available**
This setup ensures every young entrepreneur has a professional and organized space to showcase their product or service while creating a fun and engaging marketplace for attendees.
Will electricity be available?
Potentially
Potentially
What are the rules?
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.
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.
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.
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.
