Multiple outlets report that, alongside record AI investment, some startups are pursuing an “offline” or “together tech” direction. TechCrunch highlights Board, founded by Brynn Putnam of Mirror, which raises funding to focus on bringing people together through in-person games and social experiences. The coverage also points to a separate trend gaining attention: makers of “cyberdecks,” or DIY computers, which are portrayed as encouraging hands-on use and more real-world engagement—often described as designed to get people away from phones and “touch grass.”
Together, these developments are presented as part of a broader category of startups that aim to shift user time from screens to physical, shared activities. The reporting frames this as distinct from simpler “AI-free” software shifts, characterizing it more as a practical alternative centered on community and real-world interaction. The sources do not provide specific financial terms in the excerpts, but they agree on the general direction: new funding is supporting products intended to facilitate in-person social connection and reduced dependency on mobile devices.
