Board Raises $20 Million to Bring Families and Friends Back Together Through Gaming

Brynn Putnam’s New Startup Board Secures Major Funding to Redefine Interactive Entertainment

The consumer technology sector is showing renewed momentum, and one startup leading the charge is Board, a New York-based gaming company founded by entrepreneur Brynn Putnam. The company has successfully raised $20 million in Series A funding, marking a significant milestone in its mission to create technology that encourages real-world human connection.

Board is developing what it calls “together tech” — technology designed to bring people into the same room and create meaningful shared experiences. The funding round was led by Union Square Ventures (USV), with General Partner Michael Mignano joining the company’s board of directors. The round also attracted notable angel investors, including Biz Stone, Tim Ferriss, and Scott Belsky.

What Is Board?

Board is an innovative gaming platform that combines the physical experience of traditional board games with the digital capabilities of modern technology.

At the center of the platform is a $399 interactive device featuring a 24-inch touchscreen housed in an elegant wood-finish frame. Using proprietary technology, the system recognizes physical game pieces placed on the screen, creating a unique blend of tactile gameplay and digital interaction.

The result is a gaming experience that feels familiar like a classic board game while offering the dynamic possibilities of video games.

Strong Growth Since Public Launch

Board first introduced its product to the public during TechCrunch Disrupt in October. Since then, the company has experienced impressive growth and adoption.

According to the company:

• Board is now being used in tens of thousands of homes across the United States.
• The platform has expanded into schools, hospitals, and restaurants.
• Users are active across all 50 states.
• Approximately 85% of customers engage with the platform 30 or more times each month.

These numbers suggest that consumers are actively seeking technology that promotes social interaction rather than isolation.

Brynn Putnam’s Second Major Success Story

Brynn Putnam is no stranger to building successful consumer technology companies.

Before launching Board, she founded Mirror, the connected fitness startup that transformed home workouts through interactive technology. In 2020, Mirror was acquired by Lululemon in a deal valued at approximately $500 million.

Putnam believes Board reflects a different stage of her personal and professional journey.

While Mirror focused on individual improvement and personal performance, Board is centered around relationships, shared experiences, and community engagement. The vision is simple: use technology to help people spend more quality time together.

Introducing Board Studio: AI-Powered Game Creation

Alongside the funding announcement, Board revealed plans for Board Studio, an AI-powered game creation platform expected to launch later this year.

Board Studio aims to make game development accessible to everyone by allowing users to create original games using natural language prompts.

According to the company, users will be able to:

• Describe a game idea using simple text prompts.
• Generate playable game concepts quickly.
• Create prototypes in less than an hour.
• Customize and refine gameplay experiences.

This approach highlights how artificial intelligence is opening new opportunities for creativity and content development in the gaming industry.

Investor Confidence Signals Consumer Tech Revival

Board’s latest funding round arrives at a time when investor interest in consumer technology is beginning to rebound.

For several years, venture capital largely favored enterprise software and AI infrastructure companies. However, advancements in artificial intelligence are creating new opportunities for innovative consumer-focused products.

Investors are increasingly backing founders who can combine emerging technologies with compelling user experiences.

Board represents this new wave of startups by leveraging AI, hardware innovation, and social interaction to create something distinctly different from traditional entertainment platforms.

Why Board Stands Out

What makes Board unique is its focus on bringing people together in a digital age dominated by individual screens and isolated experiences.

Rather than encouraging users to spend more time alone on devices, Board’s technology promotes:

• Face-to-face interaction
• Family game nights
• Group learning experiences
• Collaborative entertainment
• Social engagement across generations

As consumers seek healthier relationships with technology, products that encourage real-world connection are becoming increasingly valuable.

The Future of Together Tech

Board’s successful $20 million Series A funding round demonstrates growing confidence in technologies designed to strengthen human relationships.

With strong customer adoption, experienced leadership, AI-powered innovation, and support from leading investors, Board is well-positioned to shape the future of interactive entertainment.

As the company expands its platform and launches Board Studio, it may help redefine how families, friends, schools, and communities engage with technology, transforming screens from tools of distraction into platforms for connection.

Final Thoughts

Board’s journey highlights an emerging trend in the startup ecosystem: technology that enhances human connection rather than replacing it. Brynn Putnam’s latest venture combines hardware, artificial intelligence, and social gaming to create experiences that bring people together.

As consumer technology continues evolving, Board’s focus on shared experiences could make it one of the most influential startups in the next generation of interactive entertainment.

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