May 29, 2003 | Read Time: 1 minute
The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, in Kansas City, Mo., is collaborating with Disney Online to promote youth entrepreneurship through a new online game.
Hot Shot Business, for children ages 9 through 12, allows players to see what it is like to establish and run their own businesses — in this case, a comic-book shop, a grooming salon for pets, or a skateboard factory. Since it went live on May 7, the program has attracted hundreds of thousands of players, and promises to draw millions more. The Kids Island section of Disney Online, where Hot Shot Business appears, attracts about 11 million visitors a month.
In a town the game calls “Opportunity City,” two animated teenage characters, Jack and Kate, help players understand their neighborhood’s needs and walk them through financing, finding a partner, opening the business, and staying in touch with their customers. The site helps kids market the operation and keep financial records, and it shows them how their work makes an impact on society.
The foundation spent just under $500,000 on its share of the project. Craig Armstrong, who directs Kauffman’s technology programs to spur youth entrepreneurship, provided the messages that would be presented on the site, and Disney dressed them up with hip characters and sassy language to appeal to kids.
to get there: Go to http://www.disney.go.com/hotshot.
