Founders bet on offline experiences to bring people together

Brynn Putnam and Tristan Walker have both previously founded successful companies that were acquired by larger firms. Their new ventures, Board and Heirloom, respectively, represent a significant shift in their focus. Board is a 24-inch touchscreen table designed for group activities, while Heirloom is a fine-craft trade school. Both companies aim to bring people together offline, addressing a perceived erosion of social connection due to technology.

The timing of this shift is notable. The World Health Organization has classified loneliness as a global health challenge, and there is a growing interest in experiences over material purchases. This trend is reflected in the ventures of Putnam and Walker, as well as other founders like Andy Dunn and Audrey Gelman. Dunn's Pie has evolved into a social life operating system, and Gelman's Six Bells Countryside Inn hosts events that encourage social interaction.

Putnam's motivation for Board came from her personal experience. As a mother of five in a blended family, she found that there were no products on the market that allowed people of different ages and abilities to play together. This led her to ask how technology could be used to create shared experiences rather than isolate individuals. The touchscreen table recognizes physical objects placed on it, facilitating group activities.

The success of these ventures remains to be seen. While there is a clear demand for offline social experiences, the long-term viability of these companies will depend on their ability to scale and adapt to changing market conditions. The trend towards offline experiences may be a reaction to the pandemic, or it could represent a lasting shift in consumer behavior. Either way, it is a notable development in the tech industry.