Intertwined's Business Startup Simulator is the premier entrepreneurship education solution in K-12 and higher education. Intertwined gives you the power to turn your classroom into an entrepreneurship center, where students learn financial literacy through an immersive simulation, personalizing and gamifying the learning experience.
Intertwined uses generative artificial intelligence, powered by Microsoft and OpenAI, to generate random financial scenarios, immersing students in real-life business decisions. Because of variability, these prompts are personalized to each individual student's responses and decisions.
Edit Startup Simulator Settings
From the Classes tab, select a specific Class to edit its Startup Simulator Settings. These settings currently only include:
Difficulty Setting
Fail Point for Current Market Value
Fail Point for Employee Wellness
Fail Point for Gross Revenue
Fail Point for Profit/Loss
Once you are looking at a specific Class, on the default "Quick Links" on the right side of your screen, click on "Startup Simulator Settings."
You'll be prompted to set the difficulty settings for the Startup Simulator in that specific class. Your three options include Easy, Medium, and Hard.
You'll also be prompted to set four different fail point settings for the Startup Simulator in that specific class as well. These indicators - Current Market Value, Employee Wellness, Gross Revenue, and Profit/Loss - help guide your students from making poor entrepreneurial decisions.
As your students use the Startup Simulator, our AI generates random financial scenarios personalized to their industry track. The difficulty settings determine the difficulty level that your
Easy Difficulty (Intro Learners)
Ideal for students new to financial literacy or business concepts, this level introduces foundational scenarios with simplified challenges and supportive outcomes.
Features:
Accessible Loans: Easier access to funding with favorable interest rates and terms.
Predictable Events: Few unexpected challenges, allowing students to focus on core decision-making skills.
Simplified Variables: Limited complexity in financial data or market changes.
Example Scenarios:
A student applies for a business loan and is automatically approved due to their excellent startup pitch.
The local market for their chosen product grows steadily without interruptions.
Inventory issues are minor, such as delays of one or two days, and are resolved easily.
Medium Difficulty (Standard, Recommended)
The default and balanced level, this difficulty reflects real-world challenges while remaining accessible for most students.
Features:
Realistic Loan Terms: Loans may be approved but require negotiation for favorable interest rates.
Moderate Market Dynamics: Students face supply-and-demand fluctuations that require thoughtful adjustments.
Balanced Risks: Includes occasional unexpected events that test problem-solving without derailing progress.
Example Scenarios:
A supplier unexpectedly increases material costs, forcing the student to re-evaluate pricing strategies.
A marketing campaign underperforms, prompting adjustments to advertising efforts.
The student must hire employees and balance salaries with profitability.
Hard Difficulty (Experienced Learners)
This level emulates high-pressure, high-stakes environments for advanced students or those with a strong foundation in financial literacy.
Features:
Challenging Finances: Loans are harder to secure, and interest rates are higher. Poor credit history may result in rejection.
High-Risk Events: Unexpected scenarios test resilience and adaptability.
Complex Variables: Dynamic and intertwined factors, like fluctuating global markets or workforce challenges, add complexity.
Example Scenarios:
A student’s factory catches fire, forcing them to allocate emergency funds or navigate insurance claims.
An economic downturn sharply decreases customer spending, requiring cost-cutting measures.
A competitor launches an innovative product, directly impacting the student’s market share.