Host a fair · 100% free

Give the teenagers in your community their first real company.

One day. One venue. A market full of young entrepreneurs. We give you everything else.

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Create a real product or service from scratch

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Sell it to real customers at a live event

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Experience what it takes to earn their own money

Join 4,991+ fairs hosted by parents, entrepreneurs, and community leaders.

Hosting the fair was one of the best decisions we made for our community. The young founders showed real creativity, independence, and confidence.

Austin, TX

Host a Founders Fair

Join a community of over 1,000 hosts worldwide.

First name

Last name

In which city would you launch your fair?

How many young entrepreneurs are you planning to have at your fair?

How did you hear about Founders Fair?

If you could wave a magic wand and give a young entrepreneur one gift, what would it be?

Check the boxes that apply:

I know at least one young entrepreneur who'd be excited to participate in the fair.

I (or my partner) have experience launching projects or businesses.

I'm willing to take steps to organize a fair, find a location, and promote the event.

I agree to let young people learn on their own, without any formal teaching or business help.

The Founders Fair is a non-profit dedicated to inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs. All support and resources are 100% free. No costs or hidden fees.

What you get

We share the playbook. You bring the neighborhood.

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The playbook.

A step-by-step guidebook honed by 4,991 fairs before yours: venue, permits, promotion, fair day.

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The website.

Your own fair page, booth applications, and host tools, set up for you from day one.

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The prize money.

We fund prizes for your young entrepreneurs. No fees for you, ever. The program is a nonprofit gift.

Hosts

Ask the people who said yes.

Having the opportunity to create real opportunities for young people is incredibly rewarding for us as a team.

San Juan, PR

This went off without a hitch. I was so impressed by the quality of the booths and how prepared the young founders were.

Stuart, FL

I'm so happy that I decided to move forward on bringing this event to our community. Such a rewarding and inspiring event.

Stoughton, WI

It was a great feeling to offer the young people in our community a place to sell what they built and show the world what they can do.

Harlington, TX

See what you'd be signing up for.

Questions

Fair questions.

Can I afford to host a fair?

Hosting a fair can be surprisingly affordable. For a smaller event, you may only need a simple venue, a few tables, and a handful of young entrepreneurs from your community. Founders Fair does not charge hosts any fees. Many hosts cover costs through sponsorships, booth fees, or the prize money we send after the fair.

Where should I host my fair?

Smaller fairs can work well in a yard, school, church, park, or community space. Choose a location that is easy to find, easy to walk, and a good fit for the size of the event you want to host.

How far in advance should I plan?

For a smaller fair with 8 to 10 booths, hosts often report that 3 to 4 weeks is enough. Larger fairs usually benefit from several months of planning.

What permits or licenses will I need?

Requirements vary by city and state. Many communities offer exemptions or simple permits for local events, so we recommend checking with your city government, venue, or Chamber of Commerce early in the process.

What does the Founders Fair team provide?

Founders Fair provides the framework, guidebook, host community, marketing templates, website tools, and prize money support to help you run a strong event. You choose the venue, recruit participants, follow local rules, and lead the fair in your community.

What if there is already a fair in my city?

That can still work. To avoid overlapping events, hosts can reserve a 2-week block within 10 miles of their fair location. If another fair is nearby, we can help you find a date that gives both events room to succeed.