Startup Sim – A Web-Based Business Simulation Platform for Modern Learning
Empowering Business Learning Through Startup Simulation with Startup Sim
Startup Sim is an interactive web-based platform designed to replicate real-world business challenges in a simulated environment. By enabling participants to make strategic decisions in areas such as pricing, R&D, production, and financial management, the platform provides handson experience in running a company. Facilitators can configure scenarios, oversee team performance, and guide discussions, making Startup Sim an engaging and practical tool for business education and professional training. The system is built with scalability and flexibility in mind, allowing it to be used in different contexts such as university courses, executive training programs, or corporate workshops. With its modern interface, comprehensive financial modeling, and collaborative features, Startup Sim helps bridge the gap between theory and practice, transforming how business concepts are taught and experienced.
Year of project: 2025
Service: IT solution, technical consultant, UX/UI design, business simulation engine, financial modeling, real-time reporting
Technology: Infomaniak, .NET, React JS
Platform: Website
CHALLENGES
Traditional methods of teaching business management often rely on lectures, case studies, or static materials that, while informative, lack the interactivity and unpredictability of real-world decision-making. Students may understand the theory behind financial statements or competitive dynamics, but without an opportunity to apply these concepts in a live setting, their learning remains abstract. Facilitators, meanwhile, face challenges in keeping participants engaged and creating a truly immersive learning environment.
Additionally, existing simulation tools were either too simplistic, offering limited realism, or too complex, requiring steep learning curves and technical setup that distracted from the actual learning process. Startup Sim needed to strike the right balance – providing enough depth to reflect realistic market conditions while remaining user-friendly and intuitive for both participants and facilitators.
OBJECTIVES
The primary objective of Startup Sim was to create a business simulation platform that mirrors real-world dynamics in a simplified but realistic way. The system had to allow participants to manage a virtual company end-to-end, including sales strategies, production planning, financial management, and research investments. Each decision would carry measurable consequences, helping learners understand the cause-and-effect relationships that shape business success.
Another important objective was to empower facilitators with tools that not only configure and monitor the simulation but also influence the competitive environment. By introducing external economic conditions, customizing scenarios, and reviewing team performance, facilitators could guide participants toward meaningful insights. The platform thus needed to balance flexibility for instructors and accessibility for learners, making it useful across multiple teaching contexts.
OUR SOLUTIONS
To achieve these objectives, we designed Startup Sim as a modular, web-based systemaccessible to participants and facilitators across devices. Participants could act as managers of their own companies, taking decisions on pricing, R&D, investments, or transactions with other teams. Each decision was tied to financial statements – income, balance sheet, and bank reports – ensuring results were grounded in solid accounting and economic logic. This structure gave learners immediate feedback on how their choices influenced their companyʼs performance. For facilitators, we built powerful control tools. They could set up the simulation parameters, upload “business news” that influenced future scenarios, and monitor team decisions in real time. The interface was designed to be clear and modern, using improved layouts, larger fonts, and better use of screen space so that participants could collaborate comfortably – even in group settings with multiple learners sharing one screen. The system also included advanced features like consolidated financial reporting, parameter customization, and compatibility checks between decision forms.
THE RESULTS
With Startup Sim, universities and training providers gained a tool that significantly enhanced their ability to teach business concepts through practice rather than theory. Participants reported higher engagement, stronger collaboration, and a better understanding of how business functions are interconnected. By experimenting in a risk-free environment, they learned to anticipate the consequences of pricing strategies, currency fluctuations, or investment decisions – skills directly transferable to real-world business management.
Facilitators also benefited from the platformʼs structured reporting and control features. The ability to configure scenarios, manage economic conditions, and analyze team performance meant they could deliver tailored learning experiences that matched the objectives of their course or program. Startup Sim has become a bridge between academic theory and business practice, delivering impactful results and setting a new standard for interactive business learning.
