Brynn Putnam Returns to TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 to Unveil New Consumer Gaming Venture Aimed at Boosting Human Connections
After a gap of seven years, entrepreneur Brynn Putnam is set to reappear on the stage where her journey began, this time unveiling her latest venture. Having transformed a fitness idea into a $500 million acquisition by Lululemon, she will debut her new project at the Disrupt event in October 2025, held at San Francisco’s Moscone West.
Putnam’s journey from that groundbreaking moment at the initial Disrupt to the present day is a testament to impeccable timing. Her home fitness device, Mirror, which brought boutique workout classes into households, was launched just as the pandemic spurred an unparalleled demand for home fitness solutions. The serendipitous timing paved the way for Lululemon’s acquisition of the company only two years after its Disrupt debut.
Now, Putnam is banking on another cultural shift – the growing desire to reconnect with family and friends in person rather than being engrossed in digital screens. Her stealth-mode startup is developing consumer gaming hardware aimed at fostering face-to-face interactions instead of isolating users behind individual devices.
In a recent conversation with a leading investment platform, Putnam expressed her conviction that we are on the brink of a golden age for hardware. She attributed this to the confluence of advanced display technologies, affordable components, and AI capabilities, which make it possible to develop new types of interactive devices.
A shift in priorities characterizes Putnam’s new project compared to Mirror, which focused on individual performance and self-improvement. Her latest venture revolves around shared experiences and strengthening relationships. She views technology not as the primary experience but as a facilitator for enhancing human connections.
Inspired by Nintendo’s philosophy of using “mature technology with lateral thinking,” Putnam is following a similar path that led to Mirror’s success. Rather than pushing technological boundaries, she is focusing on crafting compelling user experiences using proven hardware.
The gaming industry offers a natural progression for Putnam, who has built her reputation on understanding how technology influences behavior change. Her boutique fitness studios taught her the art of creating engaging group experiences, an expertise she applied to Mirror’s virtual classes and now to gaming scenarios that encourage face-to-face interaction.
The venture firm that led Mirror’s $3 million seed round, Lerer Hippeau, has already invested in Putnam’s new company, indicating strong investor confidence in her ability to identify and capitalize on consumer trends.
The resurgence in consumer hardware investing aligns with the timing of Putnam’s appearance at Disrupt 2025. After years of focus on enterprise software and AI infrastructure, investors are once again showing interest in consumer-facing hardware that can leverage AI and mature component ecosystems to create innovative device categories.
Putnam’s appearance at Disrupt 2025 marks TechCrunch’s 20th anniversary, and attendees can expect a gathering of the brightest minds in tech sharing insights on the future of innovation.
For entrepreneurs and investors keeping an eye on consumer tech trends, Putnam’s return to the Disrupt Stage offers a unique opportunity to witness how one of the category’s most successful recent founders is preparing for the next wave of innovation. Don’t miss it. Register now for Disrupt 2025 to catch what Brynn Putnam unveils next, and save up to $668 by September 26, 11:59 p.m. PT.
The tech hub of the year will take place October 27-29 at San Francisco’s Moscone Center. For an Investor Pass granting access to the StrictlyVC event at Disrupt – along with exclusive privileges – click here for more information and secure your pass.
