Brynn Putnam’s decision to sell her start-up, Mirror, to Lululemon for $500 million at the onset of the pandemic initially appeared to be premature. However, as the home fitness trend waned with the easing of lockdown restrictions, Putnam’s timing was revealed to have been impeccable. After a year as a general manager at Lululemon, Putnam leveraged her new business insights, successful track record, and original ideas to establish a new company set to publicly launch in 2025.

Venture firm Lerer Hippeau, which had previously invested in Mirror, has already participated in a highly competitive funding round for Putnam’s new mysterious start-up. In a recent conversation with Lerer Hippeau managing partner Ben Lerer and Putnam, they discussed her latest venture and the growing resurgence in consumer technology.

Lerer reminisced about the initial investment in Mirror, describing Putnam’s prototype as innovative but rudimentary. Despite this, her business acumen and inventive spirit were evident, making it an easy decision to invest.

Putnam also opened up about the sale of Mirror, emphasizing that the decision wasn’t prompted by a search for a buyer, but rather by a longstanding partnership with Lululemon and a shared vision for the company’s future.

Lerer, who offered advice during the sale, emphasized the importance of not losing sight of basic business principles amidst the pursuit of high-risk, high-reward ventures. He praised Putnam’s decision to sell as a brilliant move, particularly in hindsight.

After the sale, Putnam worked as an executive at Lululemon, a role that she described as a significant change from her previous position as founder and CEO. Though she learned a lot, she quickly realized that she was better suited to building companies.

Putnam’s new start-up emerged from her personal experience of wanting to spend quality time with her family. She aims to use technology to foster better social connections and relationships, particularly through shared experiences. The product, she clarified, is intended for all ages and is designed to connect people rather than serve as the main focus of their attention.

Putnam also shared her belief that we’re on the brink of a golden age of hardware due to advancements in AI and more affordable, mature technologies. She envisions a future where shared devices in the home facilitate unity and connection.

The interview concluded with Lerer discussing the resurgence of the consumer category, partly fueled by AI. He expressed his excitement about the potential for imaginative, non-incremental technology.