Business simulations are transforming the way instructors teach entrepreneurship and business strategy in the classroom. In this masterclass, you’ll explore how to implement simulation-based learning that promotes experiential learning, hands-on problem solving, and real-time decision making, without needing to overhaul your syllabus. With flexible formats, practical setup tips, and insights from real educators, this guide walks you through how Startup Wars can help boost engagement and drive measurable outcomes in any high school or college-level course.
🚀 Why Use Business Simulations in the Classroom?
In the modern classroom, books and lectures are not sufficient. Today’s students are like magnets for engagement, they are attracted to learning environments that go beyond text, slides or guest speakers. They are charmed by personalized experiences that make them feel ranges of emotions, a sense of urgency, or even risk.
This especially rings true for business and entrepreneurship-related programs. Unlike other fields, like the arts or computer science, business is not something one can easily practice without investing significant amounts of time or money; you can ask a student to practice their coding skills as soon as coding class is over, but how do you ask a student to practice business after their Business Strategies class?
Enter business simulations: interactive, decision-based learning environments that make students the active doers, not just listeners. Experiential learning tools like these allow students to learn through failure, all in a safe environment. Do you happen to teach business or entrepreneurship? Keep reading! This guide walks you through how to effectively integrate business simulations into your course, with a focus on Startup Wars, a leading simulation platform that prepares students for the real deal.
💼 What Is a Business Simulation (Really)?
A business simulation is a hands-on learning tool that mimics running a real or virtual business. Over a series of rounds or phases, students make decisions related to all things business, such as:
- Product development
- Finances
- Team management
- Marketing strategies
- Problem solving
Case studies or assignments can hold value, but they will rarely let students experience the feeling of accomplishment when they finally get their virtual business to generate profit after multiple bankruptcies. Simulations are dynamic and immersive, and they challenge students to apply theoretical knowledge in a realistic and constantly evolving context. With Startup Wars, students step into the shoes of a startup founder and experience the rollercoaster of emotions and learning that comes with launching and scaling a company that matches their interests.
🧠 Key Experiential Learning Outcomes: What Students Gain from Simulation-Based Learning
Business simulations are not only engaging; they deliver observable learning outcomes:
- Critical Thinking: Students assess options and analyze trade-offs.
- Entrepreneurial Mindset: They build resilience through trial and error.
- Financial Literacy: They shine a light on students’ ability to budget and forecast.
- Strategic Decision Making: Every choice impacts the simulation outcome.
- Competition: Simulations support healthy competition.
“This is how we all learn. We work at someone else’s startup. We work for a founder, watching, learning. It’s easier to develop your own thing if you’ve had a chance to watch someone else do it first.”
– Lori Kendall, Ph.D. Senior Lecturer, The Ohio State University
🧩 How to Use a Business Simulation in Your Course: A Step Integration Plan
The best part? They don’t replace your curriculum. Instead, they can enhance it with just a bit of planning:
Step 1: Define Learning Objectives for Your Simulation
Begin by pinpointing what you want your students to learn from your course. Are you teaching financial literacy, or customer acquisition strategies, or simply the fundamental business strategies? Map these objectives to the different modules of the simulation.
Step 2: Choose the Right Business Simulation Software
Startup Wars is ideal for:
- Undergraduate, MBA and high school courses
- Entrepreneurship, business, or innovation programs
- Modular or full-semester use
It’s compatible with Chrome, Edge and Safari browsers. No need to install proprietary simulation software!
Instructors can choose specific simulations that align best with their students, or let students choose themselves. Each approach has its advantages and that’s the beauty of flexibility.
Step 3: Plan the Simulation Timeline for Class Use
Decide how you want to run the simulation:
- Workshop Format: Intensive class sessions @ 1 hour per day
- Mini-Series: 3-4 weeks with weekly milestones
- Full Course: Embedded throughout the semester
Sample 4-Week Plan for any Semester:
- Week 1: Intro session + simulation orientation
- Week 2: Company Setup decisions + simulation time
- Week 3: Financial management tips + simulation time
- Week 4: Closing simulation time + reflection essay and group discussion
- Alternatively, assign simulation time as a take-home activity
Step 4: Set Up Your Virtual Business Environment
Startup Wars offers guided onboarding. Instructors receive demo accounts and walkthrough materials. Students can register using an enrollment link that can be inserted into the LMS of your choice to easily share with students.
Best practices:
- Host a live intro or screen recording walkthrough
- Provide a half a page overview of what students can expect in your LMS
- Encourage early logins to test access before class
Step 5: Facilitate Student Collaboration & Monitor Performance
If using simulations during class time, adopt a coaching role. Let students navigate decisions independently while offering guidance only when needed. If using a take-home assignment approach, students can discuss and ask their classmates questions in the LMS forums or chat rooms with real-time feedback.
Enhance engagement with:
- Check-in discussions
- Peer critique sessions
- Leaderboard progression
Step 6: Debrief and Assess Simulation-Based Learning Outcomes
Simulations are powerful learning tools, but reflection is key. Hold a class debrief where students:
- Share what worked, and more importantly, what didn’t
- Analyze their decision making process and its outcomes
- Connect results to real-world consequences
Assessment options:
- Simulation goals
- Reflection essays
- Student Summary report presentations
✅ Tips for Running a Smooth Simulation-Based Learning Session
- Setup accounts before class: Instruct students to create their accounts before class to ensure class time is for the simulation, not for setting up!
- Set expectations: Make it clear that simulations are fun, but they aren’t “just a learning game.”
- Use analytics: Track student decisions and performance with the instructor dashboard.
- Celebrate progress: Recognize high performers and creative strategies with leaderboards.
❓ Common Questions About Business Simulation Games
“Are business simulation games suitable for non-business learners?” Yes! Simulations are designed to be accessible for all and build up complexity gradually. Tutorials are included.
“Is a business simulation just a game or is it educational?” It’s experiential learning, backed by experiential learning theory and pedagogy.
“Do I have to redesign my syllabus to use business simulation software?” Not at all. Many instructors use it as a capstone, midterm, or project module. Setting up takes just a few minutes.
“How do business simulations improve decision making skills?” Students can analyze the pros and cons of their choices, take the risks associated with them, and witness the results.
🏆 Why Instructors Prefer Startup Wars Over Other Simulations
- Realistic startup decision-making
- Students can personalize their experience
- Easy setup and onboarding
- Flexible for different teaching formats
- Overwhelmingly positive student engagement and feedback. Seriously! We have surveys and student feedback to support this statement.
“I believe that an immersive and engaging simulation platform like Startup Wars has the potential to teach students entrepreneurship skills and abilities that are simply not possible to obtain through normal teaching methods alone.”
– Jeff Whalen, Ph.D, STEM Entrepreneur in Residence, Florida State University
Ready to bring simulations into your classroom? 👇
Schedule a live demo with our instructional design team to get your instructor account and access the simulations, as well as other supplementary resources to make the most out of your learning environment.
