While the AI fundraising machinekeeps breaking its own records, some founders are building in the other direction.
Mirror founder Brynn Putnam just raised money forBoard, a startup focused on bringing people together through in-person games and social experiences.Cyberdeck creators are going viralcrafting whimsical DIY computers thatliterally encourageusers to touch grass. Unlike theAI-free browser crowd, thisdoesn’tjustfeellikebacklash, but alsopeople genuinely gravitating toward things that feel a little more human.
On this episode of TechCrunch’sEquitypodcast, Kirsten Korosec, Anthony Ha, and Sean O’Kane dig into the week’s headlines,from the “together tech” wave to whatAnthropic’sconfidential IPO filing means against the backdrop of Alphabet’s$80 billionAI raise, and whether the money is all flowing back to the big guys anyway.
Listen to the full episode to hear:
- How rocket engine startupImpulse raised $500 million— and is loudly emphasizing that those funds will be spent on people, not AI
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