Web Game To Test Business Skills Of Students
Secondary students will be able to test their skills in a realistic business environment, when a web-based business game
launches early next year.
The ‘Venture Capital Game’ provides students with a chance to put the enterprise skills they learn in school into
practice. The aim of the game is to develop a portfolio of businesses with a higher net worth than any other
participating team. The team with the highest net worth wins. The Venture Capital Game, being developed by The Small
Business Company, is funded by Industry New Zealand’s Enterprise Culture and Skills Activities Fund.
Industry New Zealand Communications Manager, Debbie Gee, says the game is designed to be highly interactive and fun to
play. “The game will demonstrate business can be exciting. It will also teach students a wide variety of important
skills needed to excel in business”.
Topics covered in the game include investment strategies, business plans, the effects of external factors, and
competition. Small quizzes throughout the game test students to ensure they have learnt the intended lessons.
“Students will be informed throughout the game of external factors which may affect the success and therefore the
attractiveness of their investment businesses. They will be given opportunities to address these issues as they arise.
Good decision making will lead to good game scores,” says Ms Gee.
“The Venture Capital Game will involve students from all over the country - enabling them to compete for the national
title.
“The website also includes aspirational stories about New Zealand entrepreneurs and how they became successful. It’s
very important that young people realise successful entrepreneurs are just as worthy of admiration and celebration as
sporting heroes,” says Ms Gee.
Industry New Zealand’s Enterprise Culture and Skills Activities Fund awarded The Small Business Company $114,887 in May
this year to assist with the development of the game.
The Enterprise Culture and Skills Activities Fund was set up by Industry New Zealand to help develop a culture that
encourages positive attitudes and skills for entrepreneurship, business growth and business success.
The first game will launch in February and will run for seven weeks - directly followed by another game starting at the
beginning of August 2003.