#United States #Pasadena #Singleton Foundation #Venture Valley #GALA Awards

Venture Valley: A Game for Entrepreneurs

In an impressive display of creativity and educational value, Venture Valley, a multiplayer business simulation game, has captured the top spot in the Games and Learning Alliance (GALA) Awards 2025, held at Utrecht University in the Netherlands. Competing against 47 innovative entries under the theme 'Games for Good', the game showcases its educational merit in teaching financial literacy and entrepreneurship.

Developed by the Singleton Foundation for Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurship, Venture Valley stands out as a free-to-play educational resource designed to engage young adults. Through an interactive and fun gameplay experience, it effectively conveys the core principles of business management and strategy. Players embark on their entrepreneurial journey, starting from modest beginnings, such as dog walking, and scaling their businesses up to the level of a robotics factory CEO. This journey is not just about competition, but also about learning in a social setting where players can challenge friends and experiment with different strategies.

The game emphasizes experiential educational tools, allowing users to learn by performing tasks and making decisions that mimic real-world scenarios. From marketing a pizza parlor to operating a drone delivery service, Venture Valley illustrates the potential of gamified learning, where players are rewarded for their strategic thinking and adaptability.

In remarks following the recognition, Shelley Miles, CEO of the Singleton Foundation, noted, "Venture Valley's win at GALA 2025 reflects our commitment to inventive education. We’re equipping young minds not just to become financially literate, but to engage with their ambitions in meaningful ways. Through gameplay, we believe we can inspire young people to aspire for greater achievements and take bold steps towards their goals."

The significance of this award is amplified by the game’s accolades in previous competitions, including a Silver Award from The Anthem Awards for Responsible Technology, recognition as Best of Back-to-School 2025 for Secondary Education by Tech & Learning Magazine, and multiple mentions at the Webby Awards. Additionally, Venture Valley is set to compete in notable events like the Reimagine Awards in London and the Serious Game Showcase and Challenge in Florida, further establishing its presence in the educational gaming landscape.

Venture Valley's design philosophy hinges on the idea that the best learning comes from doing. Users are encouraged to refine their financial strategies and business acumen in a playful yet impactful environment. By featuring elements that resonate with the everyday experiences of potential entrepreneurs, the game democratizes access to essential entrepreneurial skills, empowering players to visualize their success in tangible terms.

The GALA conference, now in its 14th year, serves as a platform promoting serious games that enhance education and training through innovative design and use of technology. The event has cultivated a community comprised of academic and industry professionals who are deeply invested in leveraging serious games as tools for effective teaching and learning.

As Venture Valley continues to grow in both popularity and educational effectiveness, it represents a shift towards utilizing engaging formats to instill vital life skills. The game can be accessed via its official website at venturevalleygame.com and through popular social media platforms. For the Singleton Foundation, the success of Venture Valley is not just a game achieved; it's a movement towards enriching the educational journeys of future generations, ensuring they are not only informed but inspired to take action in their entrepreneurial ventures.

In conclusion, Venture Valley’s accolade at the GALA Awards confirms its status as an innovative educational tool that aligns fun with learning, making it a benchmark for future educational gamification efforts. With its impressive lineup of awards and recognition, it is undeniably proving to be a game that is shaping the future of entrepreneurship education.