In the tech industry, Brynn Putnam has been making waves. She sold her company, Mirror, to Lululemon for $500 million at the start of the pandemic, and it turned out to be a smart move. The home fitness trend that peaked during lockdowns also crashed quickly. After spending a year at Lululemon, Putnam gained new insights and decided to launch a new company in 2025.
Lerer Hippeau, the venture firm, has already invested in Putnam’s new startup. They had previously led Mirror’s seed round. Putnam and Ben Lerer recently discussed her new venture and the rebound happening in the consumer tech industry.
When Lerer first invested in Mirror, Putnam had a convincing but basic demo. She impressed them with her innovative ideas. Putnam explained that selling Mirror to Lululemon was not something they had planned, but it felt like the right move at the time.
After working at Lululemon, Putnam realized that being an executive was not the right fit for her. She wanted to go back to being a builder. This led her to develop a new startup focusing on social relationships through gaming technology.
Putnam believes that there is an opportunity for a new wave of consumer hardware success stories. She emphasized the importance of using AI as an enabler for better user experiences. Her new company aims to bring people together through technology.
Lerer, who is also an investor in companies focused on offline interactions, sees potential in consumer businesses that tap into people’s passions. He believes that AI is currently driving a resurgence in the consumer tech industry.
The consumer tech industry is experiencing a shift back towards innovation and creativity. Lerer is excited about the possibilities that AI offers for founders to reimagine consumer experiences. He sees a new wave of consumer-focused startups emerging, driven by the latest technological advancements.
Overall, the consumer tech industry is on the brink of a new era, with founders like Brynn Putnam leading the way with innovative ideas and a fresh perspective on using technology to bring people together.
