The Santa Clara Children’s Business Fair, organized by eighth grader Mikhil Kiran, took place Oct. 23 at Live Oak Park in Santa Clara, during which 100 young entrepreneurs pitched their product ideas to visitors from the local community. “We had a really good event, with a wonderful turnout,” said Kiran, who estimated that several hundred people attended.  

The event has been run by Kiran, who is also the founder of the nonprofit Kidzrule, since he was a fifth grader. Last year’s fair was canceled due to restrictions caused the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Harker students participating at the fair included fourth grader Ryan Santosh, who promoted Rylego Designs, sixth grader Aditya Banwasi of ThePhysicsHub, and eighth grader Aditya Shivakumar and seventh grader Trisha Shivakumar of Magic Escape. About a month before fair, participants attended a special orientation that contained advice on how to prepare for the event. Senior Arnav Gupta spoke at the orientation and provided information about this venture, called GetWellSoon.

Making a special appearance at the event was Santa Clara Mayor Lisa Gillmor, who gave a speech about how the fair benefits the community and commended and congratulated the young entrepreneurs on their first forays into business.