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Space is limited. Register by April 5th, 2026!
Jersey Village Teen Founder's Fair Event: Teen Entrepreneurship Showcase
Saturday, April 11, 2026
4:00PM - 7:00PM
Currently accepting applications 🏁
Apply to the fair
About the fair
Join the opportunity for teens to launch their very own startup business!
Teens develop a brand, create a product or service, build a marketing strategy, and then open for customers at our one-day marketplace.
Teens ages 13-18 are eligible to apply.
Teens ages 13-18 are eligible to apply.
This event is sponsored by Innovation Foundation, Acton Academy Cy-Fair in Houston, Texas, 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 Steve Jobs or Sara Blakely 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.
Hosted by
Kristah Slate
🗓️ Started hosting in 2024
✅ Identity verified
⭐️ 4.9 (22)
HI!
My name is Kristah Slate! My four children and I started hosting Acton Children's Business Fairs in 2017. We wanted to allow children to experience entrepreneurship, project-based learning, and creativity in a new and exciting way in our community!
Kristah is the Founder and Director of Acton Academy Cy-Fair and Innovation Foundation in Houston, TX. She is passionate about bringing innovation to her community and JOY back to learning.
My name is Kristah Slate! My four children and I started hosting Acton Children's Business Fairs in 2017. We wanted to allow children to experience entrepreneurship, project-based learning, and creativity in a new and exciting way in our community!
Kristah is the Founder and Director of Acton Academy Cy-Fair and Innovation Foundation in Houston, TX. She is passionate about bringing innovation to her community and JOY back to learning.
3 booths participating
Bracelet by Abigail
Treasures by Tessa
And 1 others.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Founders Fair?
The Teen Founders Fair inspires teens (ages 13-18) to discover their inner entrepreneur. The largest entrepreneurship event for teens 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 20 businesses.
What time and where do I arrive?
Arrive between 2:30-3:30 p.m. to set up. We recommend bringing a wagon. This event is in conjunction with the annual Jersey Village Founder's Day Carnival event, and you cannot pull your car up to your booth, so please plan accordingly. More details will be sent out with parking, booth locations,etc. the Monday before the event.
How many items should I bring?
You can choose the number of items you want to bring. This is a large fair and community event. Typically, the crowd enjoys purchasing items at this fair.
What time and where do I arrive?
Arrive between 2:30-3:30 p.m. to set up. We recommend bringing a wagon. This event is in conjunction with the annual Jersey Village Founder's Day Carnival event, and you cannot pull your car up to your booth, so please plan accordingly. More details will be sent out with parking, booth locations,etc. the Monday before the event.
How many items should I bring?
You can choose the number of items you want to bring. This is a large fair and community event. Typically, the crowd enjoys purchasing items at this fair.
What is the cost to have a booth?
FREE, thanks to the City of Jersey Village and our generous sponsors!
How can my family or my business become a Fair Sponsor?
Donate to the Innovation Foundation by clicking the link below to learn more...
https://igniteaspark.org/
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 by April 5th. Please submit one application for each business. Teens working as a group should submit one application that includes each child’s information. No more than 3 participants per business.
What is on the application?
The application asks teens 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 participants know if another applicant has a similar idea so the later entrant can decide what to do.
How will the fair be set up?
This is a new venue and a new event for us! You will receive an email with the details on the Monday before the event.
Bring your own table, chairs, product signage, cash/e-payment method, tablecloth, canopy, wagon, etc. We are unable to accommodate businesses that require electricity.
I confirm that I will need to bring the following items on April 11 for The Founder's Fair:
This is a new venue and a new event for us! You will receive an email with the details on the Monday before the event.
Bring your own table, chairs, product signage, cash/e-payment method, tablecloth, canopy, wagon, etc. We are unable to accommodate businesses that require electricity.
I confirm that I will need to bring the following items on April 11 for The Founder's Fair:
-Table
-Chair
-Tent
-Products
-Cash/E-Payment
-Booth Decor
-Signage
-Food handlers' licenses if selling food
**Electrical outlets will not be available.
I confirm I will arrive from 2:30-3:30 pm to set up and prepare my booth.
More details to follow via email.
Will electricity be available?
Unfortunately, we are not able to provide electricity to the booths.
What are the rules?
This event is designed to give teens the experience of selling a product or service. If a parent is found selling or promoting a teen's product or service, their teen’s business will be disqualified from the competition.
How did the Teen Founders 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. The FOunders Fair launched in 2026!
