Our Origin Story
The story behind Visionaries and Business Heroes, a business simulation built to make practical business learning more accessible.
I discovered my love for art, games, and technology early. This passion later kindled a desire in me to create solutions that improve lives and add value to the world.
But a couple of unsuccessful start-up attempts later, I realised two things:
- I needed a risk-free and effective way to practise business decisions.
- If I needed it, millions worldwide would probably need it too.
I kept wondering why there wasn't a solution for this already.
A light bulb moment came while studying for my MBA at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). I witnessed how simplistic simulations transformed the learning experience, making it more engaging and rewarding.
I saw an opportunity: business simulations that are engaging enough to play voluntarily, but rigorous enough to teach the decisions a real founder has to make.
This solution could leverage the widespread reach of gaming to tackle three global problems: income inequality, unemployment, and access to quality education.
That's how Visionaries was born.
Where We Started
Build a simulated economy large and detailed enough that anyone could practise business decisions before risking real capital.
The Founding Question
Roughly 90% of new businesses fail within ten years. What would it take to move that number, even a little?
Simulations Beyond Entertainment
Although millions of people dream of starting a business, they lack the knowledge and experience to do so successfully. Every year, many try and fail. According to the United States Bureau of Labour and Statistics, 20% of businesses fail in the first year, 50% within five years, and 65% within 10 years.
Business education which provides the skill and confidence required for successful entrepreneurship often comes at a prohibitive cost. Options for self-learning also leave much to be desired as they are tedious, theoretical, and static.
We are changing this dynamic by using a tool most people can afford and already enjoy: Business Simulations. By creating business simulations that not only entertain players but also inspire and equip them for real-world success, we hope to significantly raise the global success rate of entrepreneurs.
The Proteus Effect
Research on the Proteus Effect suggests that in-game behaviour can influence real-life behaviour, with documented applications in behavioural modification and phobia desensitization.
Our simulations are designed to entertain players while facilitating their adoption of successful entrepreneurship behaviour. Embedded in the entertainment and fun are well-researched business and economic mechanics that increase the player's entrepreneurial knowledge and skill.
Access to quality business knowledge and experience is at the heart of everything we do. Fun business simulations and the new technologies required to power them are our tools for making it more accessible for all.
Our Impact
See Business Heroes in your classroom
Free 30-min demo with our academic team. No credit card. No commitment.