The original presentation for The Startup Trail, a game that lets you learn about startups by playing a fun business simulation. Think The Oregon Trail meets Sim City, but about Startups.
6. But he’s still confused
on how to run a startup
Should I bootstrap the business?
What happens if I get VC?
What should I build?
Who should I hire?
How will I acquire customers?
How much $ do I need to start?
7. What if Mike could learn
how to run a startup by
playing a game?
“Play is our brain’s favorite way of learning.”
Diane Ackerman,
American Author
8.
9. The Startup Trail
Learn the skills of
running a startup
in a fun game.
14. Manage your startup’s
cash flow - or go out of
business!
Take actions that help
you find and keep
customers
15. Manage your startup’s
cash flow - or go out of
business!
Take actions that help
Manage, hire and fire
you find and keep
employees
customers
16. Manage your startup’s Your goal is to be
cash flow - or go out of be acquired or
business! go public
Take actions that help
Manage, hire and fire
you find and keep
employees
customers
19. Have your friends join your
startup as co-founders
via Facebook
Compete against other
startups around the
world
20. Have your friends join your
startup as co-founders
via Facebook
Compete against other Buy in-game opportunities
startups around the for your business using
world real world money
21. Have your friends join your Get “likes” for your startup
startup as co-founders on Facebook to earn in-
via Facebook game rewards
Compete against other Buy in-game opportunities
startups around the for your business using
world real world money
22. The Trail to Profits
Free game with
in-app purchases
+
In-game sponsorships
from companies that
sell to startups
24. Target Player Interest
Would you be interested in
playing Startup Trail?
4%
18%
“I would actually
play this, even
though I don’t
18% 61%
play games!”
Kennedy,
Very Interested Somewhat Interested A Very Kind SW Mentor
Neutral Not Interested
n = 28
27. Target Sponsor Interest
“Companies like ours sponsor events like Startup Weekend
to get in front of startups and developers...
The Startup Trail would be a great,
massive way to do that.”
Ilya - CloudMine
34. The Trail to Launch
Design game and game mechanics
Define business model & customer
Validate opportunity with sponsors
Validate opportunity with players
Build team with right mix of skills
Begin early social marketing
Functional demo for iOS
35. The Trail to Launch
Design game and game mechanics
Define business model & customer
Validate opportunity with sponsors
Validate opportunity with players
Build team with right mix of skills
Begin early social marketing
Functional demo for iOS
Quit pesky day jobs