Tech, dreams, and hustle collide in the most unexpected way at ACT’s latest theatrical revolution. “Co-Founders” isn’t just another musical – it’s a raw, unapologetic dive into the Bay Area’s startup ecosystem through a hip-hop lens that’ll make even the most jaded tech bro sit up and pay attention.

The show follows Esata, a Black entrepreneur and self-taught coder navigating the treacherous waters of Silicon Valley’s funding landscape. Her journey from side-hustle dreamer to potential tech mogul is a rollercoaster that’ll feel intimately familiar to anyone who’s ever watched their startup pivot faster than a venture capitalist’s mood.

More Than Just Another Tech Story

What sets “Co-Founders” apart isn’t just its killer soundtrack, but its brilliant use of technology as a storytelling medium. Imagine performance art meets live projection mapping – screens everywhere, actors performing inside what feels like a giant computer monitor. It’s like your Instagram feed came to life and decided to spit some serious rhymes.

Oakland Takes Center Stage

This isn’t your typical sanitized tech narrative. The musical proudly centers Oakland, throwing in hyphy references and local flavor that’ll make Bay Area natives nod in recognition. When a character asks “What is hyphy?”, you know this show isn’t here to play nice with tech’s usual sterile narratives.

The Human Behind the Code

At its heart, “Co-Founders” is about the human stories behind the algorithms. It captures the hustle of people of color driving for Uber and DoorDash while simultaneously chasing that elusive Series A funding. It’s a love letter to resilience, ambition, and the complicated relationship between technology and community.

Catch this groundbreaking musical before it sells out – with only 283 seats at the Strand Theater, this is one performance you don’t want to miss.