The First $20 Million Is Always the Hardest 2002

Andy Kasper’s growing disillusionment with his marketing career leads him on a quest for deeper meaning at the LaHonda Research Institute. Here, he is charged with spearheading the development of the PC99, a groundbreaking computer priced at just $99. As he makes his way through the dilapidated apartment building he calls home, Andy encounters Alisa, an alluring artist whose mysterious presence captivates him. Alongside this newfound inspiration, he gathers an unconventional group of colleagues: Salman Fard, a small yet highly skilled hacker; Curtis “Tiny” Russell, a gentle giant grappling with anthropophobia; and Darrell, an imposing figure struggling with personal space issues and a germaphobic nature.

As this quirky team sets out to create the PC99, they face a multitude of hurdles. Their initial goal is to strip the computer down to its essence by removing non-essential parts, but the reality of cost reduction soon calls for bolder tactics. Salman’s groundbreaking idea to deliver software via the internet ignites a spark, guiding the team toward a vision of a streamlined computer that only includes a microprocessor, monitor, mouse, keyboard, and internet access.

Unfortunately, the anticipated price of the PC99 remains too high. In search of a solution, Andy turns to his dreams for inspiration. He imagines a holographic projector taking the place of the monitor, a concept that resonates deeply with the team. Darrell’s proposal to swap traditional input devices for virtual reality gloves brings them even closer to their goal, and they find themselves on the brink of completion.

Just as success seems attainable, calamity strikes as LaHonda suddenly halts funding. Faced with this critical blow, the entire team decides to resign en masse, leaving Tiny alone to continue coding. In a surprising twist, they opt to sign non-exclusive patent waivers, allowing LaHonda to claim rights to any innovations developed during their time there.

When the team embarks on their marketing journey, they encounter a series of rejections from investors. Their prototype, named emagi (short for electronic magic), is criticized for its unattractive design, and they continually grapple with technical glitches during demonstrations. Nonetheless, driven by their shared passion for innovation, they remain undeterred, believing that even this motley crew can achieve something extraordinary.

As Alisa’s relationship with Andy develops further, she offers her artistic skills to enhance the emagi’s visual appeal, which ultimately leads to a successful pitch to the executive team. In an unexpected turn, they propose a groundbreaking deal: in exchange for manufacturing their product and repurchasing Andy’s former Porsche—which he reluctantly sold to fund the emagi’s development—Alisa is granted a substantial 51% stake in their venture. However, her choice to sell the patent rights to Francis Benoit triggers a series of events, as he plans to profit from the emagi’s launch by retailing it at an exorbitant price of $999 per unit.

As Benoit gears up to present his invention, the team disrupts the meeting with an even more revolutionary device—a compact silver tube designed to project holographic images while detecting hand movements using laser technology. This advancement renders virtual reality gloves outdated, representing a significant breakthrough in human-computer interaction. In that moment, Andy cleverly reminds Benoit of their original non-exclusive patent waiver, which he proposed—the quintessential reminder of the foundation of their collaboration.