The Kid Expo: Highlighting Youth Entrepreneurs in the Community

*Sponsored by The Bennett Center  

What began as a humble graduation ceremony in Hampton, Virginia has now blossomed into one of the most anticipated youth entrepreneurship events in the region—the Kidpreneur Expo. Over the past five years, this vibrant, family-friendly affair has evolved into a full-day celebration of innovation, creativity, and community spirit.

The Kid Expo is the culminating event for young participants of The Bennett Center’s signature 12-week business program, now titled Vision to Impact. This transformative program guides youth through every stage of launching a business—from sparking an idea to registering a legal entity. Along the way, they gain essential skills in financial literacy, branding and marketing, product development, customer service, and much more.

At the Expo, these budding business owners—some as young as five years old—take center stage to showcase and sell their products or services to the public. From handmade candles and custom apparel to delicious treats and tech-savvy innovations, every booth tells a story of passion, hard work, and vision. For many of these youth, the Expo is their first taste of entrepreneurship in action—and a powerful confidence booster.

It’s a community celebration—led by youth. From the DJ spinning tracks to the photographers capturing every moment, youth are at the forefront of every detail. You’ll see youth hosts guiding the program, volunteers supporting attendees, and talented young performers lighting up the stage. It’s also a space where families come together, where local leaders support emerging talent, and where the future of business and creativity is on full display.

Each year, The Kid Expo awards several $500 business grants to outstanding young entrepreneurs to help scale their ventures and continue their journey. These grants are more than financial support—they’re a vote of confidence, showing our youth that their ideas matter and their work is worth investing in.

The Bennett Center is excited to announce the expansion of the Kidpreneur Expo to Richmond! The first annual Richmond Kidpreneur Expo will take place on June 14th at the Richmond Convention Center, bringing the same energy, empowerment, and excitement to a brand-new community. It’s the beginning of something special as The Bennett Center grows its mission beyond Hampton Roads and into new cities.

And the best part? Tickets to attend the Kidpreneur Expo are completely free—both in Hampton and Richmond. Whether you're coming to shop, support, or simply be inspired, you're welcome to join us and witness the magic of young minds at work.

To further support youth and their families, The Bennett Center has released a powerful new resource: “50 Profitable Business Ideas and A Profitable Guide to Entrepreneurship”—a single book filled with creative business ideas and a beginner-friendly roadmap to turning those ideas into real, income-generating ventures.