Building the Future: Weeks 1–4 of Our Arcade Machine Entrepreneurship Project

What happens when students come together to design, build, and market a real product from concept to sale? At Nanan STEM Academy, we’ve launched the Arcade Machine Entrepreneurship Project, a unique hands-on experience where students act as a startup team to create and sell a fully functional arcade machine by spring 2026.

This project blends engineering, creativity, and business. Students are learning what it takes to start and run a real company — defining roles, building hardware, designing software, and developing marketing and sales strategies. Each week, they practise essential future-ready skills like problem-solving, collaboration, and financial literacy.

The finished arcade machine will be unveiled and sold at Kidovate 2026, Victoria’s youth entrepreneurship fair.

Week 1 – The Kickoff: Thinking Like Entrepreneurs

Students began by exploring what it means to be an entrepreneur. They discussed how businesses earn profit, the role of investors, and how revenue and costs shape a company’s success.

They also brainstormed ideas for their new venture and chose team roles such as hardware, software, creative, marketing, and business management — setting the foundation for the weeks ahead.

Week 2 – Research and Inspiration

With roles established, teams dived into research. The hardware team explored cabinet designs and materials, the software team looked at game engines and emulators, and the creative team gathered ideas for themes and branding.

Students learned to conduct research like real innovators — combining YouTube tutorials, online sources, and advice from family and friends to inform their decisions.

Week 3 – Planning and Early Development

By Week 3, planning kicked into gear.

• The business team developed marketing ideas and potential buyer profiles.
• The creative team refined logo and cabinet sketches.
• The hardware team experimented with layouts and ergonomics.
• The software team began coding early gameplay tests.

The class also brainstormed ways to share progress online, learning about branding and community

Week 4 – Meet Retrocade!

A big milestone arrived in Week 4: the team officially named their business and machine Retrocade.

Each group created a detailed task list for the master project plan. Kellen showcased the video game he’s developing and refined his elevator pitch. The hardware team selected and ordered buttons and joysticks, while the creative team composed music for the demo screen and took photos for social media.