Build your business for the 2024 Children's Business Fair!

Sign up for the CBF Workshops & Pitch Competition!

What are the CBF Workshops?
The workshops allow you to share your business ideas and plans with an experienced business owner and receive mentoring to prepare your business for the Children's Business Fair and beyond.

What is the Pitch Competition?
The Pitch Competition is an opportunity to try your sales pitch on real business owners and sharpen your message. The winner gets a $25 cash prize to invest in building their business! And, if the winner has signed up for the CBF event, they will also receive a PRIME BOOTH SPACE at the event on April 13th!

"The pitch competition was a great opportunity for the kids. The judges' input on the businesses was beneficial and great for all businesses to hear and take into consideration moving their company forward." - Parent observer

Did you know there is a competition during the CBF event in April? Judges from the business community will interview each business (divided into age categories) at the event and determine WINNERS! They judge these three areas: Most Original Idea, Best Presentation, and Highest Business Potential. We've added a People's Choice Award for each age category - that way your business fans can vote for YOU!

This means we will have a total of 12 prize category winners! Each category winner will receive a certificate of achievement and a $50 cash prize. More money to reinvest in your business and keep it rolling. Not to mention some serious bragging rights!

When and where are these events?
The workshops and pitch competition will be held at Boles Sports Complex West (soccer fields) in Round Rock on the following Sundays:

Workshop #1: January 28th, from 3:00pm to 5:00pm
Workshop #2: February 25th, from 3:00pm to 5:00pm
Pitch Competition: March 24th, from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm - You can participate or observe. REGISTER HERE

Who is invited to these events?
The workshops and pitch competition are open to our 2024 Children's Business Fair participants and any young entrepreneur looking to build their businesses. We accept kids ages 4 to 17, but please note the content is best suited to 7+.

Will these events help me build my business? According to our 2023 feedback surveys, the CBF Workshops & Pitch Competition overall satisfaction ratings averaged 4.5 out of 5 by attendees and parents! "I think the session was great. I wish these existed for adults! So thankful this exists for kids." - Parent

How do I sign up?
Sign up for Workshop 1 (January 28th) - Closed
Sign up for Workshop 2 (February 25th) - Closed
Sign up for Workshop 3 + Observe the Pitch Competition (March 24th) - Grab Your Ticket! (button up top)
Sign up to ENTER the Pitch Competition (March 24) - Grab Your Ticket! (button up top)

Updates and Info can also be found on the CBF Facebook Page.

What will we do at the workshop?
First, you will hear from a speaker who has a successful business. They will share with you how and why they started their business and tell you what it's really like to be a successful entrepreneur!
Then, you will meet one-on-one or in a small group with a mentor and talk to them about your business for the Children's Business Fair. Using the CBF Business Roadmap (see below), you will receive coaching to improve your business and move to the next step on the map. Finally, you will have the opportunity to develop and rehearse your business pitch in preparation for the pitch competition on March 24.

What should I do to prepare for the workshop?

Look at the CBF Business Roadmap and think about where you are in the process of developing your business. Be ready to discuss your ideas with mentors and other workshop attendees and ask questions about how to get to the next step. If your business offers products, we encourage you to bring samples. If you don't have samples yet but have an idea for your business, please bring any concept drawings, notes, or diagrams to share.

Who will be speaking and coaching the participants?
Workshop speakers and mentors own a variety of businesses across Central Texas. You will even hear from other kids who have started a successful business and learn from them!

Do I have to attend all three events?
No, but we hope you will! Attending these events will allow you to receive mentoring from multiple business owners and implement the feedback you receive. Then, you can attend another workshop to share your business improvements and changes over time! Finally, the pitch competition will allow you to formally present your business to a group of entrepreneurs and receive feedback. All before opening your business on April 13, 2024!

A big thank you to last year's CBF Pitch Competition Judge Panel!

2023 CBF Pitch Competition Judges

2024 Children's Business Fair (CBF) Workshops & Pitch Competition

By The FIRE Foundation

2024 Children's Business Fair (CBF) Workshops & Pitch Competition

Empowering the smallest small businesses in Round Rock!