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, this one-day market gives children the opportunity to showcase their very own businesses.
Who can participate?
Children who are ages 6 to 16 on the date of the business fair can participate.
How many businesses will you accept?
We will accept up to 12 businesses. Accepted applicants will be based on number of applicants received in each age group, completeness of application, and availability of booth/table spaces.
Where should I begin?
Start with our
resources page. Read inspiring stories about other young entrepreneurs and play games to hone your business skills. Learn more about the "3 Magic Seeds" for starting a business.
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. Spaces are limited and can be filled quickly. We encourage siblings or friends to team up as one application so more children can participate in the event. No more than 3 participants per business.
What is on the application?
The application asks children 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?
After I apply, will I receive more information?
Yes you will. You will receive an invitation to attend a Pre-Event Teleconference where more specific and logistical information will be shared about the fair and you will be able to ask questions.
Is there a fee to participate?
Thanks to our generous sponsors and volunteers, there is no fee to participate in the fair.
Will there be prizes?
Yes, cash prizes will be awarded. Our judges will recognize entrepreneurs in the areas of most original business idea, best branding/marketing, and best sales presentation/pitch. 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 also evaluate how much of the business reflects the child’s own work (versus the parents’). Cash prizes will be presented at the end of the fair.
What if someone else has the same business idea?
Two greeting card 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 located in the indoor Fellowship Hall of Church of the Redeemer Presbyterian at 1423 Girard Street, N.E., Washington, DC (Brookland/Catholic University area). Entrance to the hall is located on the 15th Street side and parking is available. Each business will be given an 6-foot table and 1-3 chairs. Table cloths will be provided.
Will electricity be available?
Unfortunately, we are not able to accommodate businesses requiring 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 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.
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.
