May 12, 2019

Interactive Monday: Celebrate Uber's IPO By Playing the Uber Game

Uber went public on Friday...the result was less than uber with the company's stock price ending the day 8% BELOW the IPO price. Highly unusual as the underwriters (the investment banks) work hard to get that "first day" pop to capture headlines and captivate the investing public. Instead the headlines on Friday night were "Congratulations to the worst performing IPO in history."

Let's put Uber the investment aside and play the game that students love: The Uber Game (courtesy of the Financial Times). In this dynamic simulation, students will play the role of a full-time Uber driver with two kids to support, and a $1000 mortgage payment due in a week. Will they be able to earn enough to pay the bill — and make more than other players?

Enjoy this 15-20 minute game that comes with an accompanying worksheet too. Students will learn how to think and act like an entrepreneur. Do they chase the surge in order to try and capture that premium pricing? Do they invest in mints, water and snacks in hopes of garnering larger tips? Do they work weekends or seek to balance Ubering with their family life? Students are in the "drivers' seat" :) in making these decisions and more. Enjoy! 

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Looking for more engaging games? Be sure to check out NGPF's Arcade

About the Author

Tim Ranzetta

Tim's saving habits started at seven when a neighbor with a broken hip gave him a dog walking job. Her recovery, which took almost a year, resulted in Tim getting to know the bank tellers quite well (and accumulating a savings account balance of over $300!). His recent entrepreneurial adventures have included driving a shredding truck, analyzing executive compensation packages for Fortune 500 companies and helping families make better college financing decisions. After volunteering in 2010 to create and teach a personal finance program at Eastside College Prep in East Palo Alto, Tim saw firsthand the impact of an engaging and activity-based curriculum, which inspired him to start a new non-profit, Next Gen Personal Finance.

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