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PLEASE NOTE - as per the email the date of the CBF has been changed. Details below.
London Children's Business Fair
Sunday, July 19, 2026
10:30AM - 3:30PM
Currently accepting applications 🏁
Apply to the fair
About the fair
Join the Children's Business Fair where children launch their very own startup business!
Kids 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 up to 20 booths at the 1st Children's Business Fair at our new home on the Sunday 19th July 2026 from 10:30am – 3:30pm.
This event is sponsored by Beaufort House School, the Acton Academy Network, the Acton School of Business, and the generous support of our donors and volunteers.
Whether an entrepreneur is famous like Richard Branson or Alan Sugar, 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.
For Top Tips and more information please check out this informative Children's Business Fair video playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtcZ47UNnucpnPQb7xfU0LOY_Ijee04QN
For Top Tips and more information please check out this informative Children's Business Fair video playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtcZ47UNnucpnPQb7xfU0LOY_Ijee04QN
Hosted by
Luke Steele
🗓️ Started hosting in 2023
✅ Identity verified
🚀 Has hosted 1 fair
7 booths participating
R&R Gift Co
Oumou- Little products\ Kani- Bloomy scrunch
And 5 others.
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 comes to London for the first time; 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 36 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. Children 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 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 indoor event. Each business will be given an 8-foot table (to share with one other business) and 1 to 2 chairs. Table cloths will not be provided.
Will electricity be available?
Unfortunately, we are not able to provide electricity to the stalls unless the event is indoor, which it may be on occasion.
What can I sell?
Entrepreneurs launching products that they’ve made themselves will be prioritised.
What can I sell?
Entrepreneurs launching products that they’ve made themselves will be prioritised.
- We do not accept businesses selling second hand items or reselling bought stock.
- We do accept businesses who add value to second-hand items (eg: upcycling and customising second hand clothes.)
- Clay bead jewellery, crochet and 3D printing are HIGHLY competitive categories. If you want to launch in these categories, think very carefully before applying as you’ll face strong competition and might not get through the application process. Make your business as original as possible.
Can I sell food?
- We do not accept businesses selling hot food, as you will be required to obtain a food hygiene certificate – an expensive and time consuming exercise.
- Please note that baked goods (biscuits, cakes etc) are acceptable as they are considered ‘low risk’. (Remember that baking is often a stressful, last minute business with smaller profits - be warned!)
- All food businesses must follow a simple allergens and preparation guidelines, with clear labelling throughout.
- Questions? Get in touch via the Contact button
Do I need a card machine?
Customers don’t tend to carry cash, so most entrepreneurs choose to bring both a cash float, as well take digital card payments.
There are lots of systems. Some come with a card machine/app, others are just an app.
They all charge a transaction fee. We recommend you do your research to find the best deals.
How can I improve my chances of getting chosen?
We choose successful applicants on a number of criteria. The three most important:
How can I improve my chances of getting chosen?
We choose successful applicants on a number of criteria. The three most important:
1. Originality
How original is the idea? Original ideas always catch our eye. Do your research. **HINT** A passion/skill combined with a solution to a problem is where the money is made.
How original is the idea? Original ideas always catch our eye. Do your research. **HINT** A passion/skill combined with a solution to a problem is where the money is made.
2. Focus
Focus your efforts on one type of product means can guarantee quality, rather than being stretched across lots of different items. Your sales pitch to customers will also be clearer.
Focus your efforts on one type of product means can guarantee quality, rather than being stretched across lots of different items. Your sales pitch to customers will also be clearer.
3. Application Effort
How much effort have you put into your application? The more detail you add to your application gives us a stronger indication of how well you know your business and how passionate you are.
How much effort have you put into your application? The more detail you add to your application gives us a stronger indication of how well you know your business and how passionate you are.
What is the adult role on the day?
This event is designed to give young entrepreneurs the real experience of creating a business and selling their own products.
Young entrepreneurs plan, set up, run customer interaction and sell themselves. It’s not your business. It’s their business, their customers and their success to own. Parents are encouraged to step back and let their young entrepreneur take the lead. You’re there as a Chief Cheerleader – not CEO.
If a parent is found creating the business, selling products or promoting on their behalf, the business will not be eligible for an award.
Will there be prizes?
Will there be prizes?
- Yes. We have awards in specific categories: Best Product, Best Stand, Best Sales Pitch and Customers’ Choice.
- All entries will be automatically entered into the competition.
- Judges will ask the entrepreneurs questions about the fundamentals of their business, such as how they came up with product prices and who their target market is.
- Judges will evaluate how much of the business reflects their own work (versus parents’).
- Customers’ Choice is voted on by members of the public.
What's the fee to participate?
There is a £30 stand fee from all accepted businesses.
- This is to reserve the entrepreneur’s spot at the fair and hold them accountable to attend as stalls are limited.
- We require this fee to be paid within 48 hours of acceptance.
- If not paid in time, your spot will be released to our waiting list
- Please note - refunds will not be issued for cancellations after the initial stand payment. No exceptions.
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 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.
What are the timings on the day?
What are the timings on the day?
- 9:45am Entrepreneurs set up
- 10.30am CBF starts
- 2.30pm Prize giving
- 3.30pm Event ends
Parent tips
Young entrepreneurs learn best when parents step back.
Let them imagine, create and problem solve on their own. Your role is to cheer them on, not take over.
Keep things simple. Let their ideas, designs and sales pitch reflect their creativity and confidence – not yours.
Mistakes are a critical part of the process. Painful to observe as an adult, take it from us, mistakes are where the real learning happens.
Manage expectations. Reassure your young entrepreneur that they can relaunch with lessons learned.
Because when they are given space to take ownership, they build the confidence, curiosity and resilience that lasts far beyond the event.
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.
