On day one of Seattle Startup Week, we highlighted Doghead Simulations and ensoVerse, two companies that are making waves in the world of virtual reality. Now we’re turning to Strange Loop Games, a company that is revolutionizing educational video games. I talked to founder John Krajewski about his brainchild and his experience as an entrepreneur in Washington.

“We’re working to build a connection between two markets: video games and education,” he said of his company, which was a finalist at both the Independent Games Festival and the Indie Game Challenge. Krajewski’s vision? “Evolving education into what it needs to be for the 21st century.”

The company is redefining educational games by pushing self-motivated learning in social worlds. The US Department of Education is currently funding the development of a virtual world ecosystem game they’re creating called Eco, in which players must collaborate to build a civilization in a world where their every move affects the environment. All resources come from a simulated ecosystem, with thousands of plants and animals simulating 24/7. Players must work together through the player-run government and economy to, for example, build the technology to stop a meteor on a collision course with the planet without polluting the world and killing it off in the process.

“[I’m excited about] the chance to do something meaningful within education, and define a new way to use technology in and out of the classroom,” Krajewski’s said. His goal for the year is to launch the Eco flagship product successfully.

When prompted for advice for fellow entrepreneurs, Krajewski kept it concise and insightful.

“Build a clear vision and talk about it every chance you get,” he said. “Don’t hold back for fear someone will steal your idea, because it’s much more likely that no one will hear about or support it than steal it.”

So why did Krajewski choose Washington of all places as the motherland of his startup?

“It’s is a great tech-hub, with great game schools to hire out of,” he said. “Plus, it’s home-base for me.”

Keep up with Strange Loop Games on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.