Seven years after first launching Mirror at TechCrunch Disrupt 2018, Brynn Putnam is set to make her return to the very stage where her journey began. The entrepreneur, whose innovative fitness startup led to a $500 million buyout by Lululemon, will introduce her newest project at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 at the Moscone West in San Francisco this October.
Putnam’s journey since her initial Disrupt success is marked by impeccable timing. Mirror, the smart fitness mirror that brought studio-style workouts into people’s homes, debuted just as demand for at-home fitness solutions soared due to the pandemic. This perfect timing led to Lululemon acquiring the company for $500 million only two years after its Disrupt launch.
Now, Putnam is embracing another cultural trend — a shift toward spending less time in front of screens and more time engaging with loved ones face-to-face. Her upcoming company, which remains under wraps for now, is crafting consumer gaming devices that prioritize in-person connections over isolated screen time.
“We’re on the brink of a new era for hardware,” Putnam told TechCrunch at a recent StrictlyVC event for investors, highlighting how advanced displays, accessible components, and AI are combining to enable fresh interactive device experiences.
Image Credits:TechCrunchThis latest endeavor signals a change in focus for Putnam. While Mirror was centered on personal achievement and growth, her new initiative is about cultivating shared moments and building stronger bonds. She envisions technology as a tool to enhance, not replace, real human interaction.
Inspired by Nintendo’s idea of using “withered technology with lateral thinking”—pairing reliable, affordable hardware with creative user experiences—Putnam is taking a similar approach that proved successful for Mirror. Rather than pushing for cutting-edge tech, her priority is to deliver engaging experiences through tried-and-tested components.
Entering the gaming world is a natural evolution for Putnam, who has a track record of leveraging technology to shape behavior. Her background in boutique fitness taught her how to design compelling group experiences—skills she brought to Mirror’s online classes and now applies to in-person gaming that encourages social interaction.
Lerer Hippeau, the venture capital firm that led Mirror’s initial $3 million seed investment, has already joined a competitive funding round for Putnam’s new venture, signaling strong faith in her ability to spot and ride emerging consumer trends.
This renewed focus on consumer hardware comes at a time when investor attention is swinging back toward this sector. After years of prioritizing enterprise software and AI infrastructure, there’s growing enthusiasm for consumer hardware that leverages AI and established component ecosystems to create innovative devices.
Putnam’s return to the Disrupt stage in 2025 coincides with TechCrunch’s 20th anniversary, and attendees can look forward to top tech leaders sharing their perspectives on the future of innovation.
For startup founders and investors tracking the latest in consumer tech, Putnam’s appearance on the Disrupt Stage is a valuable opportunity to witness how a leading entrepreneur is preparing for what’s next. Be sure to attend. Sign up for Disrupt 2025 today to catch Brynn Putnam’s latest reveal and save as much as $668 when you register by September 26, 11:59 p.m. PT.
This major tech event will take place October 27-29 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco.
To get an Investor Pass—which grants access to the StrictlyVC event at Disrupt along with special benefits— click here to find out more and secure your spot .
Image Credits:Kimberly White / Getty Images
