What is the Acton Children’s Business Fair?
The Acton Children’s Business Fair inspires children to discover their inner entrepreneurs. The largest entrepreneurship event for kids in North America, this one-day market gives children the opportunity to showcase their very own 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?
The application must be submitted online. Please submit one application for each business.
Entrepreneurs ages 5-7 are allowed to participate as a group of up to 2 individuals. For all other ages, only 1 entrepreneur per business will be accepted.
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 after I complete my application?
The registration deadline is Friday, April 7, 2023.
Once your application has been submitted, we will review it and either reach out via email with more questions or approve your business by Friday, April 14, 2023. In that email, there will be instructions on how to pay for and ensure your booth has been reserved.
What if someone else has the same business idea?
Five tye-dye businesses? Maybe not... In general, we will let market forces play out, though we will ask later entries to change to another idea. We will ask the later entrant to decide what they would like to do.
To encourage diverse business ideas, we will limit the same businesses to a maximum of 3. Ensure you get your business idea accepted by applying early.
How will the fair be set up?
The fair will be a tented outdoor event with booths. Each booth will include a 6-foot table and 1-2 chairs. If you need extra tables/chairs you must provide those items.
What are the Booth Costs?
It will cost entrepreneurs $40 for a regular booth and $60 for a booth with electricity. Electricity is limited.
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.
Parents of younger children (ages 5-7) may sit in the booth, but the children should be responsible for set up, customer interaction, and sales.
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 300 entrepreneurs and 10,000 attendees at Acton Children's Business Fairs worldwide.
