Ottawa Children's Business Fair
Sunday, May 18, 2025
10:00AM - 1:00PM
Applications are closed
Join mailing list
About the fair
Observe the opportunity for youth ages 5 to 18 to launch their very own startup business! Young entrepreneurs 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 55 booths at the 7th annual event in the Lansdowne Horticulture Building on Sunday, May 18th, 2025, from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm.
Registration will be open to all on Sunday, February 23rd and end on Sunday, April 6th. Businesses will be notified by Sunday, April 20th, 2025, at the latest.
Please keep in mind that we receive hundreds of applications for only 55 available booths. Our volunteer group of teenagers will do their best to ensure an event full of various ages and business types.
*Please note: All food and beverage businesses must follow Public Health rules and requirements, which may include cooking in a commercial kitchen. (See the FAQs)
Registration will be open to all on Sunday, February 23rd and end on Sunday, April 6th. Businesses will be notified by Sunday, April 20th, 2025, at the latest.
Please keep in mind that we receive hundreds of applications for only 55 available booths. Our volunteer group of teenagers will do their best to ensure an event full of various ages and business types.
*Please note: All food and beverage businesses must follow Public Health rules and requirements, which may include cooking in a commercial kitchen. (See the FAQs)
This event is run by Revel Academy.
Hosted by
Erin Anderson
🗓️ Started hosting in 2017
✅ Identity verified
🚀 Has hosted 6 fairs
We are a team of passionate entrepreneurs, learners, guides, mentors, and parents, who want Ottawa's youth to learn about entrepreneurship in a practical and fun way.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Ottawa Children’s Business Fair?
The Ottawa Children’s Business Fair inspires youth to discover their inner entrepreneur. The largest entrepreneurship event 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 55 businesses. Registration will be open to all until Sunday, April 6th. Businesses will be notified by Sunday, April 20th, 2025.
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?
Applications must be submitted online. Please submit one application for each business. Youth working as a group should submit one application that includes each person’s information. No more than three participants per business.
What is on the application?
The application asks participants 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 whether to proceed with their original plan or change directions.
How will the fair be set up?
The fair will be an indoor event. Each business will be given a 6-foot table and 1-2 chairs. Tablecloths will not be provided.
Will electricity be available?
Yes, booths near outlets will be reserved for those who include it in their application. There are a limited number of outlets.
What are the Public Health requirements that must be met to sell food or beverages?
What are the Public Health requirements that must be met to sell food or beverages?
- Ottawa Public Health Disclosure
- A full list of their requirements for special events vendors can be found here
Please familiarize yourself with the Ottawa Public Health rules before applying for a booth selling food or beverages. Many vendors were unable to participate as they couldn't locate a commercial/community-inspected kitchen to use before the event.
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 asked to leave the event.
Parents of younger children may sit in the booth, but the children should be responsible for setting 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.
