The ups and downs of investing

Any child, teenager or adult who has ever played the game Monopoly has undoubtedly fantasized about the colorful play money being real. The concept is rather intriguing – playing a game and receiving large amounts of money in return. \nRecently, this idea has become a reality through the creation of the Web site UpDown.com. \nThe Web site was founded by a group of Harvard MBA students hoping to somehow merge social networking with the stock market and gear the result toward students. Since becoming accessible to the public in mid-September, the Web site has already awarded 4,968 members with real money.\nUsers pay nothing to join and receive a $1 million play-money portfolio. They practice risk-free investing and stock analysis. A successful investment results in legitimate payment from the Web site each month. If users are able to beat the stock market and top their original portfolio amount, they will be awarded real money by UpDown.com. Rest assured that failure will not result in a tragic crash and burn as frequently seen in the stock market. \nUpDown.com has become a rapid-growing forum because it leaves people free of pressure or commitment. In Boston, Jeremy Galen works as a marketing manager and is responsible for most of the site’s upkeep. \n“My job is to make sure users are enjoying their experience at UpDown.com as well as getting as much exposure for the site as possible,” Galen said. \nThe site has become a source for financial and investment education, which Galen believes is a great way for the site to be used.\n“It’s very exciting to hear that students are using the Web site to learn more about the financial world and prepare themselves for the future in this field.”\nCoincidentally, the IU Finance Club has found the Web site to be beneficial to its members.\nThe IU Finance Club tries to academically, professionally and socially enhance its members’ skills and build relationships with other companies and organizations to present great networking opportunities. \nAdam Pozza, IU junior and vice president of external communications for the IU Finance Club, believes UpDown.com provides users with only win-win situations. \n“The Web site emphasizes what is taught in the academic world and puts it into the real world perspective,” Pozza said. “It takes it to a new level where other people can comment on your investments, which is to your advantage.”\nUpDown.com hosted a $10,000 investing and writing competition involving 2,500 people last fall. Twenty of the best writers and investors were awarded cash prizes. The largest prize amount was $2,500.\nTim Williams, IU junior and Undergraduate Finance Club president, sees the Web site only going forward.\n“UpDown.com has only been around for six months and has become a complete success,” Williams said. “It is constantly expanding and continuously receiving feedback on the improvement for student interest.”