The ‘together tech' wave might be the most intriguing startup bet of 2026

While AI companies keep shattering fundraising records, a different kind of startup is gaining momentum. Call it the together tech wave.

Brynn Putnam, who founded the connected fitness company Mirror, just raised money for Board. Her new startup focuses on bringing people together through in-person games and social experiences. It's a deliberate pivot away from the screen-first approach that dominates tech.

She's not alone. Cyberdeck creators are going viral by building whimsical DIY computers that literally encourage users to touch grass. These aren't polished products from major manufacturers. They're handcrafted devices that celebrate offline connection.

What makes this movement different from AI-skeptic backlash? It doesn't feel reactionary. These founders aren't rejecting technology or building AI-free browsers as a protest. They're creating new experiences that use tech to facilitate real-world interaction instead of replacing it.

For professionals drowning in AI tools and async communication, this trend matters. The pendulum might be swinging back toward physical presence, and early bets on together tech could define how we balance our increasingly digital work lives.

Whether this becomes a lasting category or a momentary correction remains to be seen. But the fact that experienced founders are raising money to bring people offline suggests investors see something real here.