Board, the new game startup from Mirror founder Brynn Putnam, raises $20M, has already sold thousands

Board, a promising startup based in New York, has successfully raised $20 million in a Series A funding round led by Union Square Ventures. This round marks the first investment for General Partner Michael Mignano since joining USV, and he will also take a seat on Board’s board of directors. Among the notable angel investors participating in this round are industry figures such as Biz Stone, Tim Ferriss, and Scott Belsky. Founded three years ago by Brynn Putnam, who previously sold her connected fitness venture Mirror to Lululemon for $500 million, Board focuses on creating what it describes as 'together tech.' This innovation aims to physically bring people together in shared spaces. The company first introduced its product at TechCrunch Disrupt last October, which has been enthusiastically received. The Board device features a 24-inch touchscreen encased in a stylish wood-finish frame. Utilizing proprietary technology, it can recognize physical game pieces, effectively merging the tactile enjoyment of board games with the interactive elements of video games. Since its launch, Board has reportedly gained traction in tens of thousands of homes, schools, hospitals, and restaurants across all 50 states, with an impressive 85% of users engaging in an average of 30 play sessions each month. In addition to the funding, Board has announced the upcoming launch of Board Studio, an AI-driven platform that empowers users to create original games using natural language prompts. This feature is expected to facilitate the transition from concept to playable prototype in less than an hour. Previously, Board raised $15 million led by Lerer Hippeau, which had also backed Mirror’s initial funding round. With the recent funding, Putnam aims to extend her experience in consumer hardware, transitioning from a focus on individual improvement to fostering connections among families and friends. She emphasizes that the essence of Board lies in encouraging people to step away from their devices and engage with one another directly. This funding arrives at a time when the consumer tech sector, which had been struggling, is beginning to recover, largely due to the new possibilities introduced by artificial intelligence. Ben Lerer, managing partner of Lerer Hippeau, expressed renewed optimism about consumer tech, noting that a wave of talented founders is now eager to re-enter the market, fueled by advancements that were not feasible just a year ago.