AN AMAZING made-in-York business simulation game is being closely examined by a leading bank.

York entrepreneur Peter Harrington's SimVenture computer programme, a demo version of which is wowing students and pupils at selected schools and colleges in North Yorkshire, is being scrutinised for serious backing.

Mr Harrington said: "There are discussions ongoing with the bank, which I cannot name at the moment. One of their top people was hugely impressed and was hopeful of presenting the software to its executive team to progress as an initiative.

"In my view, that could take the form of piloting the software in a specific region, and if successful, rolling it out nationally.

"Ideally, the bank could present SimVenture to clients who are starting out in business. It would fast track their thinking and really prepare them for the real hurly burly of business decision making."

It took Mr Harrington and his brother, Paul, a software engineer, three years to develop the simulated on-screen office in which the user sets up all the processes from funding and marketing to staffing and manufacture.

The user is guided every step of the way by a virtual business adviser who presents all the myriad options and variations.

Consequences of decisions are recorded on a constantly changing bottom line.

The software has already had a big impact at demonstrations to numerous universities including Lancaster, Leeds Met, Leeds Trinity and All Saints', Derby and Nottingham.

Business Link and Yorkshire Forward, the regional development agency were so impressed that they jointly provided £7,000 of High Growth Start Up funding for the venture.

Mr Harrington, managing director of QA Research and Brackenhill Design of St George's Place, York, has so far invested £150,000 in SimVenture.

He said: "This could mean a national, if not international, use of a serious learning tool that could ultimately affect the survival rate of fledgling businesses which are so vulnerable in their first three years."

Tadcaster Grammar School's business department is now deciding whether to buy the software after a successful trial last week with 27 mathematics students aged 15 and 16.

Christina Turner, their head of maths, said: "The software is a fantastic resource. At the end of the lesson, no one wanted to shut down their laptops. It was interesting how those students who heeded the advice on carefully preparing market research and business plans stayed afloat or successful. Some of those who just wanted to get on with trading, went under.

"The lesson was plain. In real life you can't escape the consequences of business actions by simply pressing the exit button."

Updated: 10:26 Wednesday, March 15, 2006