Brynn Putnam, the visionary entrepreneur who transformed the fitness industry with her innovative product, Mirror, is set to make a remarkable return to the stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025. This significant event will take place at San Francisco's Moscone West in October, marking seven years since her initial unveiling of Mirror at the same venue during TechCrunch Disrupt 2018. Putnam's journey from that pivotal moment to her latest venture is a testament to her exceptional ability to time market trends.
Mirror, the groundbreaking connected fitness device, revolutionized home workouts by bringing boutique fitness classes directly into consumers' living rooms. Launched just as the global pandemic accelerated the demand for at-home fitness solutions, Mirror's success led to its acquisition by Lululemon for an impressive $500 million within two years of its debut at Disrupt. Now, Putnam is poised to embark on another transformative journey, focusing on the emerging cultural trend of disconnecting from digital screens to foster in-person connections.
Putnam's latest company, which is currently operating in stealth mode, is developing consumer gaming hardware aimed at promoting face-to-face interactions rather than isolating users behind individual devices. Her vision is to leverage technology not as the primary focus but as a facilitator for enriching human experiences. "We’re about to enter a golden age of hardware," Putnam stated during a recent TechCrunch event, emphasizing the convergence of advanced display technologies, cost-effective components, and the capabilities of artificial intelligence (AI) that enable the creation of new interactive devices.
This new venture marks a significant shift in Putnam's priorities. Unlike Mirror, which centered on individual performance and self-improvement, her current project emphasizes shared experiences and the strengthening of relationships. Drawing inspiration from Nintendo's philosophy of utilizing "withered technology with lateral thinking," Putnam is combining mature, affordable components with innovative experiences to create engaging user interactions. Rather than focusing on technological advancements, she is dedicated to crafting compelling user experiences using proven hardware.
The gaming industry presents a natural transition for Putnam, who has built her reputation by understanding how technology can drive behavior change. Her experience running boutique fitness studios has equipped her with the skills to create engaging group experiences, insights she successfully applied to Mirror's virtual classes. Now, she aims to translate those lessons into gaming scenarios that encourage real-world interactions among users.
Putnam's ability to tap into consumer trends has garnered the attention of investors. Lerer Hippeau, the venture firm that led Mirror's $3 million seed round, has already participated in a competitive funding round for her new company, demonstrating strong investor confidence in her vision. This aligns with a broader resurgence in consumer hardware investment, as investors shift their focus from enterprise software and AI infrastructure back to consumer-facing hardware that can effectively leverage AI and established component ecosystems to innovate new device categories.
Putnam's appearance at Disrupt 2025 coincides with TechCrunch's 20th anniversary, promising attendees a gathering of some of the biggest names in technology. Entrepreneurs and investors interested in consumer tech trends will have the opportunity to witness how one of the industry's most successful founders, Brynn Putnam, is positioning herself for the next wave of innovation. Don't miss this chance to gain insights from a leader in the field.
Be sure to register now for Disrupt 2025 to catch Brynn Putnam's latest unveiling and take advantage of savings of up to $668 by September 26, 11:59 p.m. PT. This is the tech epicenter event of the year, running from October 27-29 at San Francisco's Moscone Center.
