What is a business simulation?
A business simulation is an experiential learning tool where participants run a virtual business in a simulated environment. It lets learners practise real-world skills in a realistic, risk-free setting, and turns a business course into something they take part in rather than sit through.
A simulation runs as a series of decision rounds, and every round is an experiential learning cycle in miniature.
This interactive learning experience is used by schools and universities as well as in corporate training. In both cases participants practise skills ranging from market and financial analysis to decision making and teamwork. Learning by doing is a proven method for students and employees alike to really understand the complexities of running a business.
A simulation keeps participants engaged through discussion, strategising, analysis and teamwork, because they have to live with the consequences of their own decisions. The result is a higher level of learning than static methods reach on their own.
Experience
Teams take over a virtual company and make the decisions a real management team would: pricing, production, marketing, investment.
Review
Each round returns results — financial statements, market share, customer response — that learners have to read and interpret.
Learn
They analyse what worked and what did not, and connect the outcome back to the theory from the course.
Apply
The next round is an immediate chance to test that thinking, which is where the learning actually sticks.
Compared with a lecture or a case study
Simulations can provide a more valuable learning experience than static case studies and lectures. Here is where they diverge.
| Lecture | Case study | Business simulation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Learner role | Listening and note-taking | Reading and discussing | Running the business |
| Feedback | At the exam | From the instructor | Every round, from the market |
| Consequences | None | Hypothetical | Real, and theirs to fix |
| Skills practised | Recall | Analysis | Analysis, decision making, teamwork |
| Repeatable | One pass | One outcome | Try, fail, adjust, try again |
Who can use business simulations?
Educators and corporate trainers, whenever participants need to learn how a business really works. Hubro simulations can be adapted to the level of complexity you need.
Schools and universities
Instructors use simulations as the practical spine of a business, marketing or finance course, at bachelor, master and MBA level.
- Fits an existing syllabus
- Assessment built in
- Works in class or fully online
Businesses and organisations
Trainers use simulations to build commercial understanding across teams, as an away-day challenge or a longer development programme.
- Team-based competition
- Bespoke content possible
- Facilitated or self-run
Three steps, not a term of preparation
Our off-the-shelf simulations are built so you can focus on the learning outcomes rather than the technicalities.
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Pick a simulation Choose the title that matches your course — business, marketing, finance or sustainability — and the level of complexity you want.
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Enrol your participants Add learners, set up teams and schedule the rounds. Set-up is minimal and no in-depth training is needed.
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Run it, live or online Play as a synchronous classroom competition or as self-paced practice at home, in groups or individually.
We will get you started with your participants the same day. Learn more on our how it works page.
Simulations for every business and marketing course
Choose a business simulation and customize it to fit your course schedule and learning goals.
Hubro Digital Marketing Simulation
SEO, social media, email marketing and customer journey optimization.
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Hubro Marketing Simulation
Analyze segments, build a marketing mix and create products that fit customer needs.
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Hubro Strategic Marketing Simulation
Develop restaurant brands and position them to appeal to your target segments.
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Hubro Business Simulation
Manage production, investments, pricing and the financing of a virtual company.
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Hubro Strategic Management Simulation
PESTEL, SWOT and BCG matrix on top of a live competitive business case.
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Hubro Finance Simulation
Finance investments and make long-term decisions while creating shareholder value.
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Hubro Managerial Accounting Simulation
Budgets, variance analysis and KPIs on top of a live business case.
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Hubro Sustainable Business Simulation
See how sustainability intersects with financials, strategy and operations.
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Hubro Sustainable Marketing Simulation
Make marketing decisions while taking sustainability into account.
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Hubro Sustainable Finance Simulation
Fund investments and manage ESG with a stock price that scores both.
See detailsEight reasons educators keep coming back
The case for simulations is not that they are novel. It is that they teach things a lecture cannot.
Theory put into practice
Participants reach the learning goals by applying business theory, gaining skills that are ready for the workplace.
Realistic and risk-free
As in a flight simulator, learners imitate reality and practise specific skills — reading statements, budgeting, deciding under pressure — and can fail safely.
The big picture
Decisions affect every part of the business, so learners connect the dots and take a holistic approach to problem solving.
Higher level learning
The experiential learning cycle — experience, review, learn, apply — is built into the round structure rather than bolted on.
Knowledge retention
Learners apply, evaluate and create inside the simulation, the upper levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy where retention is strongest.
Soft skills and collaboration
Teamwork, time management, leadership and communication are all required, and simulations naturally spark discussion between learners.
Engagement
Running your own company is social and interactive, and gamification elements like competition and missions make participants want to take part.
Flexibility
Deliver in a live classroom, a virtual one, as an e-learning module, a business challenge, or in a hybrid setup across time zones.
Frequently asked
How long does a business simulation take?
It is up to you. A simulation can run as a single-day challenge of a few rounds, or across a whole semester with one round per week.
Do participants need business experience?
No. The simulation introduces decisions gradually, and you choose how much complexity to switch on for your group.
Can learners play individually instead of in teams?
Yes. Teams are the most common setup because they generate discussion, but the simulation can be played solo as self-paced practice.
How are participants assessed?
Results, reports and added exercises give you assessable output, and the platform collects it for you alongside the simulation results.
Does it work for online and hybrid courses?
Yes. Everything runs in the browser, and we work with schools and companies running simulations across several time zones.
Built with leading institutions, backed by Sage
Hubro Simulations is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sage, one of the world's leading academic publishers. Our simulations are developed with instructors and subject-matter experts, grounded in proven learning science.
Hubro is an AACSB Business Education Alliance partner and a Harvard Business Impact Education partner.
Ready to bring business to life?
Book a demo to see a simulation in action, or get started today and launch with your next cohort.