How AI is powering a comeback in consumer startups, with Brynn Putnam and Ben Lerer

In this episode, Connie sits down with Brynn Putnam, the former CEO of Mirror, and VC Ben Lerer to discuss why founders – and investors – are getting excited about consumer-focused startups for the first time in a handful of years. Putnam already turned her home fitness company into a $500 million success story. Now she’s building something new that she believes will help families and friends connect and put down their devices. Meanwhile, Lerer discusses what drew him to write the first check for Mirror, why he would follow Putnam into any company, and where he sees the consumer industry going from here.

00:00 - Introduction

06:54 - From Fitness Studios to MIRROR

08:45 - The Early Days of MIRROR and Securing Venture Funding

10:29 - Selling MIRROR to Lululemon

15:18 - Innovating Social Tech and Gaming

17:47 - Challenges and Opportunities in Consumer Hardware Startups

20:00 - The Role of AI in Consumer Hardware’s Golden Age

25:00 - Reimagining Consumer Marketing Strategies

27:36 - The Future of New York’s Startup Ecosystem

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