Loading SaaS profile...
San Fran Sim
San Fran Sim is a browser-based startup tycoon game that simulates the real-world experience of launching and scaling a software company. Starting in a garage with seed capital, players build MVPs, ship features, manage burn rates, and navigate real SaaS metrics like MRR, churn, LTV, and CAC. The game balances satirical humor with dynamic underlying business formulas where shortcuts lead to technical debt and churn. It runs directly in web browsers with zero sign-up required.
What it does
• Simulates starting a Delaware C-Corp software company with seed funding and team building mechanics. • Models realistic SaaS unit economics where pricing changes, feature QA, and office morale directly affect MRR and churn. • Features a story point (SP) task system for managing feature rollouts, refactoring technical debt, and avoiding pivot sickness. • Generates shareable challenge seeds letting players compare startup strategies and bankruptcy outcomes on the same run.
Why it works
Runs directly in web browsers for zero-friction access without account registration or app downloads. Underpinned by realistic SaaS math and dynamic failure conditions rather than fixed linear progression curves. Combines genuine business education on metrics like LTV and CAC with satirical Silicon Valley humor. Utilizes shareable seed keys to foster community competition and social challenge sharing.
Category: Entertainment & Lifestyle
Team Size: 1
Visit Website
As of 2026
Entertainment & Lifestyle
Revenue: 0-$100k ARR
Browser startup tycoon game simulating the journey from garage to IPO.
Overview
San Fran Sim is a browser-based startup tycoon game that simulates the real-world experience of launching and scaling a software company. Starting in a garage with seed capital, players build MVPs, ship features, manage burn rates, and navigate real SaaS metrics like MRR, churn, LTV, and CAC. The game balances satirical humor with dynamic underlying business formulas where shortcuts lead to technical debt and churn. It runs directly in web browsers with zero sign-up required.
Funding status: Bootstrapped
Revenue source: Free / Ad-supported
Customer type: B2C
Pricing: Free (Open Source)
Tech stack: JavaScript, HTML5, CSS3
Platform: Web
Integrations: None
Founder story
San Fran Sim was created in 2026 by experienced UK-based entrepreneur Daniel Kempe, co-founder of Quuu and SocialPacks. Drawing from over a decade of personal startup experience, Kempe built the game to combine classic tycoon game nostalgia like Theme Hospital with the authentic, unglamorous trade-offs and financial realities of founding a software startup.
What it does
- • Simulates starting a Delaware C-Corp software company with seed funding and team building mechanics
- • Models realistic SaaS unit economics where pricing changes, feature QA, and office morale directly affect MRR and churn
- • Features a story point (SP) task system for managing feature rollouts, refactoring technical debt, and avoiding pivot sickness
- • Generates shareable challenge seeds letting players compare startup strategies and bankruptcy outcomes on the same run.
Who it's for
- Startup Founders
- SaaS Professionals
- Product Managers
- Simulation Game Enthusiasts
Why it works
- Runs directly in web browsers for zero-friction access without account registration or app downloads
- Underpinned by realistic SaaS math and dynamic failure conditions rather than fixed linear progression curves
- Combines genuine business education on metrics like LTV and CAC with satirical Silicon Valley humor
- Utilizes shareable seed keys to foster community competition and social challenge sharing.
Growth strategies
- Product Hunt launches targeting startup founders and tech workers
- Social media virality driven by shareable challenge seed runs
- Organic word- of-mouth across tech communities and founder forums
- Free- to-play browser accessibility maximizing top-of-funnel viral acquisition
Alternatives
Comparison overview
- San Fran Sim is accessible instantly in the browser for free and dynamically models modern cloud SaaS unit metrics.
- Alternatives like Startup Company or Game Dev Tycoon require paid desktop downloads and focus heavily on physical office logistics or traditional retail software distribution.