Gates, who wrote his first computer program at age 13 and started Microsoft at 19, told the students about how he and Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen wrote the first software program for a microcomputer in his college dorm room, and how they built their company on the vision that one day, there would be a computer in every home.

"The most important thing about any important project is choosing to do something you love. Microsoft began because my friend, Paul Allen, and I had an idea that wouldn't wait. We hired our friends and went to work trying to make our vision for personal computers come true," Gates told the students, who are all active in Junior Achievement. "You have access to a lot of cool technology today that I wish I'd had when I was in school, and I can't wait to see the companies that you and your friends build."

Gates also announced a $400,000 (estimated retail value) software donation that will help the Museum of Science and Industry offer its visitors access to the most current technology.

Accompanying Gates on his tour through the exhibit, Museum President and CEO David Mosena said, "Being able to meet and ask questions of Bill Gates, someone who turned a single idea into one of today's most successful companies, is a great experience for these young entrepreneurs. And Microsoft's donation will help give all of our visitors a chance to use technology for a great learning experience at Enterprise and throughout the Museum."

The Chicago-area students attending the event had the unique opportunity of being the first visitors to see Enterprise and gain a hands-on look at what it's like to step into the shoes of today's business leaders. They were also able to participate in a question and answer session with Gates. He offered his business management and technology expertise to the students as he consulted with them on running their "virtual" corporations.

"It was very exciting to meet Mr. Gates at the Museum today," said eighth-grader Angelina Ghanem. "My class and I learned that you do not need a lot of money to start a business, just a good idea and lots of hard work. My experience today as well as in my Junior Achievement class have taught me important things to help prepare me for my future in the workplace."

Microsoft's donation will bring cutting-edge technology to Museum visitors in all current and future learning labs, as well as behind the scenes in administrative offices. Products included in the donation are Microsoft® BackOffice^TM Server 4.0, Microsoft Windows® 98 Upgrade, Microsoft Windows NT® Workstation 4.0, Microsoft Office 98 for Macintosh® Edition, Microsoft Project 98, Microsoft FrontPage^TM 98, Microsoft Publisher 98 and Microsoft Visual Studio^TM 6.0 Enterprise Edition.

Enterprise was developed in partnership with Junior Achievement Inc. and will officially open at the Museum of Science and Industry on Thursday, April 29.