The most interesting startups right now want to get you off your phone

The AI hype cycle is still going strong, with funding records being shattered left and right. But there's a quieter movement happening alongside it, and it's worth paying attention to.

Brynn Putnam, who founded Mirror (the smart fitness startup acquired by Lululemon), just raised capital for Board. It's a company focused on bringing people together through in-person games and social experiences. Not virtual hangouts or AI-generated activities. The real, analog kind.

Meanwhile, cyberdeck creators are blowing up online by building custom, handcrafted computers that are designed to be used outdoors. These quirky DIY machines literally encourage users to touch grass, which feels both ironic and intentional in 2026.

This isn't the same energy as the AI-free browser crowd or people who performatively delete their social media. It doesn't feel like pure backlash or nostalgia. It feels more like a correction.

For anyone spending their workday inside AI tools, automation workflows, and digital collaboration platforms, this trend highlights something important. The more powerful our digital tools become, the more valuable offline, human experiences feel. It's not about rejecting technology. It's about being more intentional with where we spend our attention.

The real question is whether this stays a niche movement or becomes a meaningful market. If someone like Putnam, who built a screen-based fitness empire, is betting on in-person experiences, that signal is worth reading.