The most interesting startups right now want to get you off your phone

While the AI fundraising machine keeps breaking its own records, some founders are building in the other direction. Mirror founder Brynn Putnam just raised money for Board, a startup focused on bringing people together through in-person games and social experiences. Cyberdeck creators are going viral crafting whimsical DIY computers that literally encourage users to touch grass. Unlike the AI-free browser crowd, this doesn’t just feel like backlash—it’s a deliberate pivot toward analog, community-driven tech. These startups are capitalizing on growing screen fatigue and a desire for tangible, human connection. Board, for instance, designs modular game sets and hosts events that require physical presence, tapping into the post-pandemic yearning for real-world interaction. Meanwhile, the cyberdeck movement—building portable, often retro-futuristic computers with exposed circuitry and tactile controls—is gaining traction on platforms like YouTube and TikTok. Creators emphasize outdoor use, with devices optimized for note-taking in parks or coding on park benches. This isn’t about rejecting technology but reimagining it as a tool for engagement rather than isolation. Investors are taking notice, with Board’s recent funding round signaling confidence in the ‘offline-first’ model. As one founder put it, ‘We’re not anti-tech; we’re pro-life.’ The trend suggests a future where startups compete not just for screen time, but for shared experiences that get people off their phones and into the world.