The most interesting startups right now want to get you off your phone
Original reporting by TechCrunch
The AI fundraising machine continues its relentless pace, shattering records and captivating the tech world with dizzying valuations. Yet, beneath this high-octane frenzy, a distinct counter-current is quietly gaining momentum among a growing cohort of founders. These entrepreneurs are not chasing the next generative AI breakthrough; instead, they are building businesses designed to pull people away from screens and foster more tangible, human connections.
Brynn Putnam, the visionary behind the fitness mirror startup, is now launching Board, a venture focused on bringing people together through in-person games and social experiences. Simultaneously, the quirky world of "cyberdecks" sees creators crafting whimsical, DIY computers that *literally* encourage users to "touch grass"—moving interaction from the digital realm to the physical. This isn't simply a reaction against ubiquitous AI; it's a genuine gravitation toward what some are calling "slow tech" or "together tech," prioritizing genuine human interaction and real-world engagement over endless digital immersion.
Equity Dissects the Trends
This fascinating divergence in the startup landscape takes center stage on the *Equity* podcast, where hosts Kirsten Korosec, Anthony Ha, and Sean O’Kane dissect the week’s most pressing headlines. They explore the viability of this "human-first" tech wave against the backdrop of staggering AI investment, from Anthropic’s confidential IPO filing to Alphabet’s recent $80 billion AI raise. The discussion extends to the broader implications for the tech ecosystem, asking whether the vast rivers of capital will ultimately flow solely into the coffers of a few dominant players, or if there's indeed room for these more grounded innovations to thrive.
The tech landscape presents a striking dichotomy: on one side, an AI funding machine continually breaking records, and on the other, a nascent but significant movement toward human-centric innovation. Initiatives like Board, fostering in-person social experiences, and the growing popularity of Cyberdecks, which encourage tangible, real-world engagement, exemplify this counter-current. This isn't merely a backlash against pervasive digitalization or the abstract nature of AI; rather, it reflects a genuine gravitation toward technologies that prioritize human connection, physical interaction, and tangible utility, reminding us that innovation isn't solely about efficiency or virtual realms.
Broader Industry Implications
This divergence holds profound implications for the future trajectory of technology. While monumental investments continue to fuel the AI sector, the emergence of "together tech" suggests a potential rebalancing within the innovation ecosystem. It challenges the prevailing narrative that technological progress must always lead to increased abstraction or screen dependence. Instead, it posits that future success may increasingly lie in creating tools that ground users, fostering community and hands-on engagement. This trend could signal a maturing industry, one that, while still captivated by frontier technologies, is also beginning to critically evaluate technology's holistic impact on well-being and social cohesion. Investors and founders alike may increasingly recognize the enduring value in solutions that bridge the digital and the physical, leading to a more diversified and human-attuned technological future where AI perhaps serves to enhance, rather than replace, genuine human experience.