Brynn Putnam’s Next Chapter: From Mirror to a Family-Centric Tech Startup
When Brynn Putnam sold her innovative fitness brainchild, Mirror, to Lululemon for $500 million at the onset of the pandemic, opinions swirled about whether she had let it go too soon. Fast forward to today, and her decision appears to have been a masterstroke, especially as the home fitness trend fizzled almost as quickly as it boomed during the lockdowns.
Now, after gaining invaluable experience as Lululemon’s general manager, Putnam is gearing up to launch a new consumer hardware company in 2025, aimed at enhancing face-to-face interactions among families and friends. The venture firm Lerer Hippeau has already expressed its confidence in her new endeavor by investing in a competitive funding round for the still stealthy startup, reiterating its faith in Putnam after previously leading Mirror’s early investments.
A Deep Dive into the New Venture
In a recent conversation with Ben Lerer, managing partner at Lerer Hippeau, both Putnam and Lerer shared insights about the direction her new startup is taking. The innovative spirit that drove Mirror’s success is very much alive in this next chapter. Putnam emphasized that her latest venture moves beyond the realm of fitness into fostering more profound social connections through technology.
“The idea is to create technology that serves as an enabler for personal connections rather than as the experience itself,” Putnam shared during the New York meetup. She aims to provide families with opportunities to engage meaningfully, reminiscent of the quality time she valued growing up.
The Journey from Fitness to Family Tech
Reflecting on her time at Lululemon, Putnam noted that transitioning from founder to a corporate role was quite a shift. “It’s a very large change, and for some, it’s a fit. For me, I’m really a builder,” she explained. Her departure from Lululemon, coinciding with significant personal life changes, prompted her to rethink her priorities and what she wanted to achieve from her next venture.
Insights from the Industry
Lerer remarked on the distinctive qualities he identified in Putnam when he initially invested in Mirror, which began as an ambitious but basic prototype. “She wasn’t just a clever business builder; she was an inventor,” he stated, highlighting her knack for transforming ideas into viable products.
Importantly, both Lerer and Putnam expressed optimism about a resurgence in consumer tech, aided by the rapid developments in artificial intelligence and the maturation of critical hardware components. “We are on the precipice of a hardware renaissance,” Putnam forecasted. “The possibilities available to founders today are more exciting than they have been in a long time.”
Connecting Through Technology
As Putnam prepares to unveil her new product, she emphasizes that it will not just cater to children but is designed for families and friends to enjoy together. “It’s really about using tech to connect people to each other,” she stated. While details about the product remain largely under wraps, she hinted it would foster genuine interactions, steering clear of becoming just another entertainment gadget.
Consumer Tech on the Rise Again
The broader climate in consumer tech is becoming more favorable, with VCs and founders recognizing the unique opportunities within this space. “We’re starting to see a heightened level of creativity and innovation that has been lacking over the years,” Lerer said, noting the reemergence of consumer-focused ventures like Putnam’s. Companies are beginning to capitalize on advancements in AI, leading to new ideas and innovative solutions that align with changing consumer habits.
Engaging a Community
As the tech landscape evolves, it promises to affect our daily lives and relationships in fundamental ways. The focus on communal experiences and family togetherness serves as a reminder of the essential human connections technology should enhance rather than hinder.
The future certainly looks bright for Brynn Putnam as she embarks on this next chapter, aiming to redefine how families engage with each other through tech. Enthusiasm around her vision reflects a larger trend within the tech industry—one that may well reshape how we interact in our personal lives.
For insights and discussions on family-centric technology and its impact on our social dynamics, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below!
