We helped turn the abstract idea of compounding into something people could physically experience. During the Chicago Cubs’ opening weekend, Acorns took over Big Star next to Wrigley Field with the Compounding Vending Machine — inviting people to see how even $1 can grow over time in a way that felt simple, surprising, and real.

Visitors tapped their card or Apple Pay to invest $1, then chose a time horizon between 25 and 35 years. The machine responded by dispensing the future value of that dollar — from $7 to $15 depending on the number of years selected. Each reward packet was designed around that specific timeframe, combining the cash payout with simple educational details that helped connect the amount in hand to the power of compounding over time.