A NEW Fall version of our Annual Children's Business Fair happens at the Wilco Expo Center on Saturday, October 25th.
The event is open to the public and FREE to attend! Come out and shop the smallest small businesses on 10/25!
CBF Event Competition
During the CBF event, there is a competition within each age category. Judges from the business community will interview each business at the event and determine a winner for the three categories: Most Original Idea, Best Presentation, and Highest Business Potential. Each prize category winner receives a certificate of achievement and a $50 cash prize—not to mention some serious bragging rights!
YOU Get to Vote, too! Look for the signs throughout the event, scan the QR code, and vote! We will award these winners based on who YOU think is the best booth (by age category)!
Booth Applications Are Open (and limited) We are only accepting 30 booths for this event.
Note: We do not provide electricity for booths. If your booth requires electricity, you'll need to bring a generator.
Your Host The FIRE Foundation is excited to be part of the largest entrepreneurship event for kids in North America by hosting the 8th Annual ESTEAM Academy Children's Business Fair. Kids develop a brand, create a product or service, build a marketing strategy, and open for customers at our one-day marketplace.
The FIRE Foundation, a Round Rock-based nonprofit dedicated to transforming education for the future, leads the CBF Committee to create this Fair. The mission of The FIRE Foundation is to equip kids with the tools, resources, and support they need to realize their full potential.
What ages will be accepted? We will accept young entrepreneurs ages 4-17.
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. Children working as a group should submit one application that includes each child’s information. Businesses are added to the age category based on the age of the oldest participant. No more than 3 participants per business.
What is on the application? The application asks kids to think through some simple but essential 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 succeeded?
When will I receive a response to my application? We will reply within 3 to 5 business days.
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 entrants 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 a tented outdoor event with booths. Businesses will get a 10x10 tent space and 1 6-foot table. The business must supply any other equipment needs (and chairs).
Will electricity be available? We are not able to provide electricity to the booths.
If the business is selling food/drinks, is a permit required? No food permits are required for this 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 disqualified from the competition.
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.
How did the Acton Children’s Business Fair get started? Jeff, 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.
Do you know an organzation or indidviual that might like to sponsor this year's event? Access or share our 2025 sponsorship package at https://givebutter.com/2025Sponsor.
Our incredible sponsors
Children's Business Fair
Acton Academy
Next Great Adventure
Round the Rock
The FIRE Foundation
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Participating booths
Contact us
Have a question for us? Contact us below and we will be in touch as soon as possible with
a reply. Thanks for your interest!
The Acton Children's Business Fair does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin and admits and gives all hosts and participants access to the same rights, privileges, programs and activities.
