Board: Brynn Putnam’s New Gaming Venture Secures $20M and Sells Thousands
Brynn Putnam, renowned for founding the connected fitness company Mirror, has embarked on a new entrepreneurial journey with her latest venture, Board. This New York-based startup, established three years ago, focuses on creating together tech—technology designed to physically unite people in shared spaces. Board recently announced a successful $20 million Series A funding round led by Union Square Ventures, marking a significant milestone in its growth trajectory.
Michael Mignano, General Partner at Union Square Ventures, will join Board’s board of directors as part of this investment. The funding round also attracted notable angel investors, including Biz Stone, Tim Ferriss, and Scott Belsky, underscoring the confidence in Board’s innovative approach to gaming.
The inception of Board follows Putnam’s previous success with Mirror, a connected fitness startup she sold to Lululemon for $500 million in 2020. In October 2025, Putnam unveiled Board at the TechCrunch Disrupt conference, introducing a unique gaming device that blends the tactile experience of traditional board games with the interactive elements of video games.
The Board device features a 24-inch touchscreen encased in a wood-finish frame, utilizing proprietary technology to recognize physical game pieces. This design fosters a communal gaming experience, encouraging players to engage face-to-face, reminiscent of classic board game gatherings.
Since its launch, Board has experienced impressive traction, with the device now present in tens of thousands of homes, schools, hospitals, and restaurants across all 50 states. Remarkably, 85% of customers report engaging in 30 or more play sessions per month, highlighting the device’s appeal and the growing demand for interactive, in-person gaming experiences.
In conjunction with the recent funding, Board announced the upcoming launch of Board Studio, an AI-powered creation platform set to debut later this year. Board Studio aims to democratize game development by enabling users to create original games using natural language prompts, transforming ideas into playable prototypes in under an hour. This initiative reflects Board’s commitment to fostering creativity and expanding the boundaries of interactive entertainment.
Prior to this Series A round, Board had secured $15 million in funding led by venture firm Lerer Hippeau, which also led Mirror’s $3 million seed round. The success of Mirror’s acquisition by Lululemon validated Lerer Hippeau’s investment strategy and bolstered confidence in Putnam’s vision for Board.
Putnam views Board as a natural progression from her experience with Mirror, emphasizing the shift from individual-focused technology to solutions that enhance communal interactions. She noted, Mirror was very much about me. It was my reflection, my performance, it was about making your own self better. At that next phase, my life was really just much more about my family and my friends and my relationships. This perspective underscores Board’s mission to leverage technology to bring people together, encouraging users to engage directly with one another rather than through screens.
The successful funding round and positive market reception come at a time when consumer technology is experiencing a resurgence, driven in part by advancements in artificial intelligence. Ben Lerer, managing partner of Lerer Hippeau, expressed optimism about the sector’s future, stating, I’m more excited about consumer than I’ve been in a long time. We’re seeing a very high-quality group of founders saying, ‘Now’s the time to get back in the pool.’ There are things that are possible today that weren’t possible six months ago or a year ago, and the slope is steep.
Board’s innovative approach to gaming, combining physical and digital elements, positions it at the forefront of this consumer tech revival. By focusing on enhancing in-person interactions through technology, Board addresses a growing desire for meaningful, shared experiences in an increasingly digital world.
As Board continues to expand its reach and develop new features like Board Studio, it exemplifies the potential of technology to foster human connection. With strong investor backing and a clear vision, Board is poised to redefine the gaming landscape, offering a platform that brings people together in engaging and interactive ways.
