What is the Acton Children’s Business Fair?

The Acton Children’s Business Fair inspires children to discover their inner entrepreneur. As the largest entrepreneurship movement 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.

Where should I begin? 

Does your child know what their business will be?  If so, start by submitting an application.

Still wondering what the fair is about, or looking for ideas? Check out 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?

Children, ages 6-14 can participate.  Applications must be submitted online, along with the $10 application fee. 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 the application deadline?
We will take application up until May 5th.  However we encourage participants to apply as early as possible.

What is on the application?

The application asks kids to think through some simple, but important elements of their business:

What is the $10 application fee for?
This event is organized by educator and parent volunteers at Beacon Academy. We use the application fee to cover the cost of site set-up (tables, chairs, signs, etc.) and prizes for the contests. 

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 outdoor event with booths. Each business will be given a booth with an 8-foot table to share with one other business (or one 4-ft table of their own) and 2 chairs.  We encourage businesses to bring a 10x10 canopy for shade, and table cloths that match your display. 

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 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 prizes.

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.

What else do I need to know?

Check out the following Participant Information Sheet to get more details. ☒