The ‘together tech’ wave might be the most intriguing startup bet of 2026

A countermovement is emerging in the startup ecosystem as founders pivot away from AI-focused ventures toward 'together tech'—products emphasizing in-person experiences and physical interaction. Mirror founder Brynn Putnam's new startup Board and the viral cyberdeck movement exemplify this trend, suggesting investor appetite may be diversifying beyond the saturated AI fundraising landscape.

The startup funding environment has been dominated by artificial intelligence ventures for nearly two years, with each funding round setting new records. Against this backdrop, a distinct cohort of founders is intentionally building products that prioritize human connection and physical presence. Brynn Putnam's Board represents a deliberate shift toward social gaming experiences that require face-to-face interaction, while the cyberdeck community—crafting customized, tactile computing devices—has gained unexpected traction by encouraging users to engage with technology in tangible, offline ways.

This movement reflects broader market dynamics beyond simple contrarianism. The AI fundraising cycle has created extreme valuations and competitive pressure, making alternate niches increasingly attractive to both founders and investors seeking differentiation. The 'together tech' wave addresses genuine consumer sentiment: digital fatigue and a documented desire for authentic social connection, particularly among younger demographics. These products tap into genuine behavioral shifts observed post-pandemic.

For the investment community, this signals potential opportunities in overlooked verticals. While AI continues attracting institutional capital, consumer-focused hardware and social experience startups may offer better risk-adjusted returns with less competition for attention and market share. The trend also suggests investor portfolios may be rebalancing away from pure AI bets toward more diversified technology exposure.

The durability of this countertrend depends on whether these ventures can achieve sustainable unit economics and scale. If 'together tech' companies demonstrate strong retention and monetization, they could establish a parallel growth narrative to AI, fragmenting founder and investor attention throughout 2026.

• →Founders are building 'together tech' products focused on in-person experiences as a counterweight to AI-dominated fundraising
• →Mirror founder Brynn Putnam's Board startup and viral cyberdeck movement exemplify growing consumer demand for physical interaction
• →This trend suggests investor diversification beyond oversaturated AI funding cycles
• →Consumer fatigue with purely digital experiences is driving traction for hardware and social platforms
• →Market success of these ventures in 2026 could establish a parallel growth narrative challenging AI's dominance