The Acquired event at the Chase Center in San Francisco experienced an incredible sell-out, drawing in 6,000 eager attendees, largely due to the participation of Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. This event took place on the evening of September 10, marking a significant moment for the podcast and its audience.
Acquired, a podcast hosted by Ben Gilbert and David Rosenthal, specializes in exploring notable mergers and IPOs within the technology sector. It currently ranks 48th on Apple Podcasts, demonstrating its growing popularity. The event attracted a diverse crowd, with tickets priced at an accessible $50, and they sold out rapidly.
The Chase Center, primarily known as the home of the NBA’s Golden State Warriors, has a seating capacity of over 18,000. However, for this event, the focus was on an intimate gathering of 6,000 fans, who were excited to hear directly from Zuckerberg. Acquired representatives expressed their astonishment at the turnout, sharing on X that it was “a great night” and that they “never dreamed” of hosting such a large audience.
In a series of photos shared on social media, Zuckerberg was spotted wearing a T-shirt of his own design, featuring the ancient Greek inscription, “Learning through hardship.” Unlike previous appearances, he opted for a more casual look, wearing a watch but leaving behind the necklace he often sports. While specific details of his talk remain under wraps—pending the podcast’s official release—Acquired teased that Zuckerberg discussed past company acquisitions during the event.
Meta has been involved in numerous significant mergers over the years, with deals ranging from hundreds of millions to billions of dollars. Notable acquisitions include WhatsApp, Instagram, and Oculus. Additionally, Meta has been at the forefront of AI development, having introduced large language models (LLMs) and integrated the Meta AI chatbot into platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp since April.
This sell-out event not only highlights Zuckerberg’s ongoing influence in the tech world but also underscores the public’s interest in his insights and experiences. As the technology sector continues to evolve, Zuckerberg’s presence at such events reinforces Meta’s position as a key player in the industry, drawing attention and curiosity from fans and professionals alike.
