
Children's Business Fair Mountain View, California
Saturday, May 2, 2026
1:00PM - 3:30PM
Applications are closed
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Maricar Abaya-Antonio
๐๏ธ Started hosting in 2021
โ Identity verified
๐ Has hosted 4 fairs
Frequently asked questions
The Acton Children's Business Fair inspires children to discover their inner entrepreneur. The largest entrepreneurship event for children in North America, this one-day market gives children the opportunity to showcase their very own businesses.
We will accept up to 35 businesses.
Where should I begin?
Step 1: Complete application form online.*Must submit a photo of your business idea and products.
Step 2: Applications received will be reviewed by the CIS Children's Business Fair Team.
Step 3: If your business is selected you will receive a Paypal a non-refundable invoice within 24 hours of receipt. If payment is not received within 24 hours, your business will be waitlisted until available spot opens up.
Step 4: Once payment is complete, a confirmation email will be sent to all participating business, together with detailed information and helpful resources for the event.
* Children working as a group should submit one registration that includes each childโs information. No more than 3 participants per business.
Can I apply as part of a group?
To apply, you'll need to submit an online application. Each business needs its own application. If your children are working together on one business, please submit a single application with information for all of them (up to 3 participants total). If your children have two different business idea, please submit one for each business.
Registration:
Creative Imagination Schoolhouse students: $35
Early Bird Registration (5 days after applications opens): $45
General Registration: $55 *subject to capacity
Deadline for booth registration (ages 5-15) is April 2, 2026 or once we reach capacity. WHEN ALL SPOTS ARE FILLED!
A non-refundable fee is due to confirm booth registration. Fee covers event site rental fees, event tables and chairs, marketing materials, set-up and clean-up fees and awards/recognition certificates and prizes.
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.
The fair will be an outdoor event with table booths (no tent). Each business will be given a booth with an 6-foot table (no additional tables are allowed) and 1-2 chairs. Table cloths and booth decorations is not provided and is the responsibility of the entrepreneur/s.
Unfortunately, we are not able to provide electricity to the booths.
This event is designed to give children the experience of selling a product or service.
Only one kind of business in each table booth, If siblings and friends have different business idea/category, you need to submit separate application.
Will there be resources and workshops available for the participants to sign-up for?
Yes! Once your business is selected and confirmed as an event participant, we will send you a good amount of resources, timeline to use and review in planning your business.
There will be an opportunity to sign-up for a very valuable entrepreneurial workshop series to help you plan, prepare and get ready for the day of event.
Is there an participant orientation:
Yes, there will be a participant orientation. After the application period closes, an email invitation to the orientation will be sent to all participants.
We welcome donations and sponsors:
We gladly welcome donations and sponsors to help make our Children's Business Fair a memorable experience for our young entrepreneurs! The fees we collect help cover the costs of planning and hosting this event.
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.