30-Day Startup Simulation

The final stage of the Business & Finance Fundamentals Program places you in charge of a virtual company for 30 days.
Each week represents a business phase: launch, growth, challenge, and reflection.
Your task is to apply every concept learned so far to achieve sustainable results.

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Simulation Purpose

This simulation converts theoretical knowledge into applied skill.
It measures your ability to:

• allocate resources wisely;
• analyze financial data;
• manage a small team;
• adapt to changing market conditions;
• document insights clearly.

The result will form the foundation for your final certificate evaluation.

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Simulation Structure

Week	Focus	Core Challenge	Key Output
1	Launch & Budgeting	Define idea and spending plan	Initial budget sheet
2	Marketing & Operations	Reach customers and manage costs	Marketing plan
3	Leadership & Adaptation	Respond to market events	Team log & decision summary
4	Growth & Reflection	Analyze performance	Final report & score

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Starting Scenario

You begin with a virtual budget of $10 000 and a three-person team.
You must choose a simple product or service that fits a student-friendly market (e.g., healthy snacks, eco-stationery, digital tutoring).

You will face simulated events: supply changes, customer feedback, and unexpected expenses.
Decisions are recorded each week in a short log sheet.

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Success Criteria

Area	Indicators	Weight
Financial Results	Profit/Loss & Cash Flow	40 %
Decision Quality	Clarity of reasoning	25 %
Creativity & Adaptation	Innovation under constraints	20 %
Reporting & Reflection	Accuracy and insight	15 %

Total ≥ 70 % = Successful Completion of Capstone.

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Initial Setup Instructions

1. Choose your business concept.
   Keep it realistic and simple: a product or service you could launch in a school or local community.

2. Assign roles.
   Divide responsibilities (e.g., finance, marketing, operations). If solo, treat them as departments.

3. Prepare a launch plan.

   • Product / service summary
   • Target market overview
   • Planned budget allocation (you decide percentages for production, marketing, savings)
   • Revenue expectation for Week 1

4. Create a simple ledger.
   A 2-column table listing Inflow and Outflow for each decision.

5. Record your decisions daily.
   Treat this as a mini-diary of your startup journey.

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Deliverables for Week 1 – Setup Phase

• One-page Startup Concept Overview (≤ 300 words)
• Launch Budget Table in CSV or Sheet form
• Short paragraph reflecting initial challenges and confidence level

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Week 1 – Launch & Budgeting

Objective

Establish your company’s foundation: decide what you sell, who you serve, and how you’ll spend your limited capital.
This week tests clarity of planning and the ability to translate ideas into numbers.

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1. Define Your Startup Concept

Your business must be simple enough to operate virtually, yet realistic enough to measure.

Field	Example
Company Name	BrightBox Snacks
Product / Service	Healthy snack packs for students
Target Audience	High school students and teachers
Key Value Proposition	Affordable energy snacks during breaks
Launch Channel	School kiosk and social media page

Tip: the best startup ideas solve a daily inconvenience with minimal cost.

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2. Plan Your Initial Budget ( $ 10 000 )

Distribute your funds across five areas.
You can adjust allocations later, but must justify every choice.

Category	Description	Planned Budget ( $ )	% of Total
Product / Production	Raw materials, suppliers or software	3 000	30 %
Marketing / Sales	Posters, social media, promotions	2 000	20 %
Operations	Tools, delivery, website hosting	1 500	15 %
Team / Labor	Stipends or hourly work	1 500	15 %
Reserve / Savings	Safety buffer for risks	2 000	20 %
Total		10 000	100 %

Analytical Note: Startups that reserve at least 15–20 % of funds for contingencies survive initial shocks better.

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3. Simulated Event – Supplier Delay

On Day 3, your primary supplier announces a one-week delay. You must choose:

Option A – Find a local supplier at 15 % higher cost.
Option B – Wait and delay launch by a week.

Decision	Short-Term Effect	Long-Term Risk
A	Immediate launch keeps momentum, but raises cost by $ 450	Lower profit margin for Month 1
B	Save money now but lose customer interest	Need stronger marketing later

Record your choice and reasoning in your Decision Log.

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4. Track Cash Flow

Date	Description	Inflow ($)	Outflow ($)	Balance ($)
Day 1	Initial capital	10 000	–	10 000
Day 2	Marketing materials	–	500	9 500
Day 3	Supplier payment	–	3 000	6 500
Day 5	Early sales	1 000	–	7 500
Day 7	Team payments	–	500	7 000

Keep updating this table daily.
In Week 4 you will compare your opening and closing balances to measure growth.

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5. Weekly Reflection

Answer briefly (2–3 sentences each):

1. What decision this week had the biggest financial impact?
2. Was your budget allocation realistic? Why or why not?
3. If you could re-plan the week, what would you change?

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Deliverables for Week 1

• Completed Budget Table
• Cash-Flow Sheet (Day 1 – Day 7)
• Decision Log with reasoning for Supplier Event
• Short Reflection (≤ 200 words)

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Week 2 – Marketing & Operations

Objective

This week you will promote your startup, handle operations efficiently, and interpret your first real performance metrics.
You will learn to balance marketing creativity with operational discipline.

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1. Marketing Plan

You now have early feedback and initial sales data.
Use it to focus your marketing where it matters.

Element	Example
Target Audience	Students aged 14–18, frequent snack buyers
Channel	Posters, Instagram, peer referrals
Core Message	“Energy in your pocket – stay focused all day.”
Marketing Goal	20 % increase in weekly sales
Budget This Week	$ 1 200 (reallocated from Reserve)

Tip: Marketing is not about shouting louder — it’s about connecting clearer.

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2. Simulated Event – Social Media Boost

On Day 2, a popular student blogger posts a short review of your product.
You gain a temporary 50 % spike in demand for three days.

You must decide:

Option A – Produce extra stock quickly by paying overtime.
Option B – Limit sales to avoid stockouts.

Decision	Immediate Result	Long-Term Impact
A	+ 500 sales units, + $ 1 500 revenue, + $ 400 extra cost	Maintains visibility, but reduces margin
B	Stable cost, no burnout, but missed opportunity	Slight slowdown in momentum

Record your reasoning in your Marketing & Operations Log.

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3. Key Performance Indicators (KPI)

Update and calculate the following indicators:

KPI	Formula	Example Result
Conversion Rate	Sales ÷ Visitors	25 %
Average Order Value (AOV)	Total Revenue ÷ Orders	$ 6.50
Gross Margin	(Revenue – Cost) ÷ Revenue	40 %
Customer Satisfaction (Survey)	% of positive reviews	88 %

Analytical Note: A high conversion rate with a low margin indicates marketing success but pricing weakness.

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4. Operational Decisions

• Evaluate inventory – do you produce in small or large batches?
• Check delivery routes – could delays be reduced by simple changes?
• Review labor hours – is the team workload balanced?

Decision Example:

Shift production to two smaller daily batches instead of one large batch → reduces waste, keeps freshness, increases satisfaction.

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5. Cash Flow Update

Date	Description	Inflow ($)	Outflow ($)	Balance ($)
Week Start	Carryover	–	–	7 000
Marketing Spend	–	1 200	5 800
Sales Income	3 000	–	8 800
Extra Labor	–	400	8 400
Supplies Refill	–	1 000	7 400

Checkpoint: Maintaining liquidity above $ 5 000 ensures sustainability through Week 3.

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6. Weekly Reflection

1. Which marketing action created the strongest measurable result?
2. Were operational costs proportional to your growth?
3. What would you automate or simplify next week?

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Deliverables for Week 2

• Marketing Plan Table
• KPI Sheet (4 indicators minimum)
• Decision Log for Social Media Event
• Weekly Reflection (≤ 200 words)

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Week 3 – Leadership & Adaptation

Objective

This week tests your ability to lead under uncertainty.
You will handle internal challenges, external market changes, and demonstrate adaptability — one of the most valuable entrepreneurial traits.

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1. Scenario Overview

Your company has reached stability — steady demand, satisfied customers, and consistent revenue.
However, growth introduces new complexity:

• Team members report fatigue.
• Two suppliers propose different pricing models.
• Competitors begin to copy your idea.

Your role: keep morale high, protect profit, and guide your startup through uncertainty.

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2. Leadership Styles in Action

Reflect on the three core approaches to leadership:

Style	When to Use	Benefits	Risks
Directive	Crisis, time-sensitive tasks	Fast decision-making	Can reduce creativity
Participative	Team brainstorming, innovation	Builds trust and ideas	Slower to execute
Delegative	Routine or specialized work	Empowers skilled teammates	May lack coordination

Tip: Great leaders combine styles situationally, not ideologically.

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3. Simulated Event – Team Disagreement

On Day 3, two team members disagree over marketing priorities:
One wants to invest in influencer ads, the other in product upgrades.

You must decide:

Option A – Support the marketing push for faster visibility.
Option B – Focus on quality and product development.

Decision	Short-Term Result	Long-Term Outcome
A	+15 % immediate sales increase	+ customer growth, but potential fatigue
B	+10 % quality score improvement	stronger retention, slower growth

Record your reasoning and communication steps in your Leadership Log.

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4. Crisis Adaptation – Supply Shortage

On Day 5, one supplier runs out of key materials. You can:

• Negotiate with a competitor (requires diplomacy, but may raise costs).
• Re-design your product (cheaper components, but lower perceived quality).
• Use savings to stockpile (safe, but reduces liquidity).

Each choice reveals your ability to balance risk, reputation, and resilience.

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5. Team Morale Tracker

Factor	Measurement	Week 2	Week 3	Trend
Motivation	Survey (1–10)	8	6	↓
Collaboration	Peer rating	9	7	↓
Stress Level	(1–10, higher = worse)	5	8	↑

Leadership Note: Fatigue often appears before performance drops — act early.

Recommended actions:

• Rotate roles for variety.
• Hold short daily check-ins.
• Celebrate small wins (e.g., “Team of the Week” board).

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6. Decision & Reflection

Key Questions:

1. Which leadership style did you rely on most this week?
2. How did your communication affect team motivation?
3. What trade-offs did you face between growth and stability?

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7. Cash Flow Snapshot

Date	Description	Inflow ($)	Outflow ($)	Balance ($)
Week Start	Carryover	–	–	7 400
Supplier Change	–	1 200	6 200
Sales Income	3 000	–	9 200
Marketing	–	800	8 400
Team Bonuses	–	400	8 000

Checkpoint: Leadership choices directly affect both morale and margins — learn to balance empathy with execution.

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Deliverables for Week 3

• Leadership Log (key decisions & outcomes)
• Updated Morale Tracker Table
• Reflection Essay (≤ 250 words) on crisis management
• Revised Budget Projection for Week 4

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Week 4 – Growth & Reflection

Objective

This final week consolidates all your knowledge and decisions.
You will evaluate growth, financial performance, and leadership maturity — exactly as startup founders do when reporting to investors.

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1. Growth Metrics Overview

You’ve completed three intense weeks of entrepreneurship, marketing, and management decisions.
Now, translate those experiences into data.

Metric	Formula	Example Result	Interpretation
Total Revenue	Σ All Sales	$12 000	Healthy short-term growth
Total Expenses	Σ All Outflows	$9 000	Moderate cost control
Net Profit	Revenue – Expenses	$3 000	25 % margin – above average
ROI	(Profit ÷ Initial Investment) × 100	30 %	Strong return for a student project
Customer Retention	Returning ÷ Total Customers	65 %	Indicates good satisfaction

Analytical Note: Consistent retention above 60 % shows trust and brand reliability — a core trait of sustainable business.

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2. Market Adaptation Case

On Day 2, a new competitor launches with a nearly identical product.
You must decide:

Option A – Lower prices by 10 % to defend market share.
Option B – Keep prices stable, but add free samples and personal notes.

Decision	Immediate Result	Long-Term Outcome
A	Sales volume + 20 %, margin – 10 %	Temporary defense, weaker brand perception
B	Stable sales, stronger loyalty	More resilient customer base

Record the event in your Growth Strategy Log.

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3. Operational Efficiency Review

Area	Week 1	Week 4	Change	Comment
Production Waste (%)	8 %	4 %	↓ 4 %	Better inventory control
Delivery Delays (%)	12 %	6 %	↓ 6 %	Improved planning
Team Efficiency (1–10)	7	9	+ 2	Clear roles and motivation
Marketing ROI (%)	110 %	145 %	+ 35 %	Smarter targeting

Observation: Efficiency improvements accumulate from hundreds of small decisions — not one “big fix”.

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4. Leadership Reflection

You’ve practiced all key aspects of management:

• Decision under pressure
• Conflict resolution
• Motivation and communication
• Time and task prioritization

Write a 250–300 word reflection addressing:

1. What was your most effective leadership action?
2. How did your team dynamics evolve from Week 1 to 4?
3. Which mistakes taught you the most valuable lessons?

Evaluation Hint: Focus on cause → effect → lesson.
Example: “When I delegated marketing too late, campaigns underperformed. Next time, I’ll schedule checkpoints mid-week.”

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5. Final Financial Summary

Category	Total ($)	% of Budget	Comment
Production	3 900	39 %	Slight increase due to higher volume
Marketing	2 700	27 %	Expanded social reach
Operations	1 800	18 %	Stable core expenses
Team	1 100	11 %	Bonuses improved morale
Reserve	500	5 %	Used only partially
Total Outflow	10 000	100 %	—

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6. Growth Summary Report (Template)

Section	Guiding Question	Example Notes
Vision	Did the original idea stay consistent?	Adapted focus from “snacks” to “healthy study kits”.
Execution	Which decisions were most impactful?	Shifted from posters to social marketing.
Teamwork	What worked best in coordination?	Daily check-ins reduced missed tasks.
Finances	Did you stay within budget?	Yes, ending balance ≈ $ 8 000.
Future Steps	What would you scale or improve?	Expand into nearby schools next term.

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7. Graduation Milestone

Submit your final deliverables:

• Growth Report (financial + strategic summary)
• Leadership Reflection (250–300 words)
• Decision Log Archive (Weeks 1–4)

Scoring is based on:

Criterion	Weight
Analytical Accuracy	40 %
Strategic Reasoning	30 %
Communication & Clarity	20 %
Professional Formatting	10 %

A combined score ≥ 70 % unlocks your Business & Finance Fundamentals Certificate.

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8. Post-Simulation Insight

Great entrepreneurs don’t just end projects — they reflect, document, and teach.
This habit turns short-term results into long-term mastery.

Record one key insight sentence in your notebook:

“The most valuable thing I learned from this simulation was _____.”

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Final Step

Proceed to
👉 Graduation & Certificate
to download your credential and join the alumni community.

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