Brynn Putnam, the founder of fitness company Mirror, has raised a new round of funding for Board, a startup centered on in-person games and social experiences. The move is part of a broader but distinct shift in the startup world: while AI companies continue to attract record-breaking investment, a smaller cohort of founders is building products designed to pull people away from their screens.
From fitness to face-to-face
Putnam previously built Mirror, a home fitness system with a screen that was acquired by Lululemon in 2020 for $500 million. Her new venture, Board, takes the opposite approach — no screen required. The company is developing physical spaces and products meant to encourage real-world interaction through games, puzzles, and shared activities. The funding round, whose size has not been disclosed, signals investor appetite for experiences that compete with digital entertainment on their own terms.
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The rise of the ‘touch grass’ computer
Alongside social-focused startups, a separate trend is emerging in hardware. Creators of so-called cyberdeck computers are gaining attention on social media for building whimsical, portable DIY machines that often include unusual features like physical switches, exposed wiring, and retro-futuristic designs. Some of these devices are explicitly designed to be used outdoors, with built-in solar panels or rugged casings that encourage owners to leave their desks.
These projects are more than aesthetic experiments. They represent a hands-on approach to computing that stands in contrast to the polished, always-online devices most people carry. The message is literal: build a computer that invites you to go outside.
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Why this matters beyond the novelty
The timing is notable. In 2025, global smartphone usage continues to climb, with average daily screen time exceeding six hours in many markets, according to data from DataReportal. At the same time, concerns about the mental health effects of constant connectivity have become mainstream, driving consumer demand for products that offer a reprieve.
These startups are not simply offering a digital detox. They are attempting to create compelling alternatives to the apps and platforms that dominate attention. Board aims to make in-person socializing as convenient and appealing as a night on the couch with a streaming service. Cyberdeck creators are reframing the computer itself as a tool for exploration rather than consumption.
Not just backlash
This wave of screen-reducing products is distinct from earlier efforts like dumbphones or app blockers. Those tools focused on subtraction — removing features to limit usage. The new generation of startups is building additive experiences: physical games, community spaces, and devices that reward outdoor activity. The goal is not to eliminate technology but to design it differently.
Whether these ventures can scale remains an open question. Mirror succeeded in part because it fit into a home-fitness boom. Board faces a different challenge: convincing people to leave their homes and engage with strangers in person. And cyberdecks, while popular in niche communities, have not yet reached mainstream production. Still, the direction is clear. A growing number of founders are betting that the next big thing is not another app, but a reason to put one down.
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