Serial founders bet on in-person community as the next startup frontier

Veteran entrepreneurs Brynn Putnam and Tristan Walker, both of whom have previously built and sold companies for significant sums, are now turning their attention to ventures centered on bringing people together in physical spaces. Putnam previously founded Mirror, a connected-fitness company acquired by Lululemon for $500 million in under three years, while Walker has his own notable exit history. Their new focus reflects a small but growing trend among experienced founders who see offline community-building as an underexplored opportunity. The shift comes amid broader cultural fatigue with purely digital interaction and a renewed appetite for real-world connection. These founders are wagering that the next wave of compelling startups will prioritize in-person experiences over screen-based engagement.