New York-based startup Board has raised $20 million in Series A funding, led by Union Square Ventures. The company, which focuses on hardware that combines physical board games with digital interaction, announced plans to launch its AI-powered game creation platform, Board Studio, later this year.
Funding round led by USV
This funding round comes approximately eight months after Board's public debut last October. Michael Mignano, a partner at Union Square Ventures, will join the company's board of directors, and angel investors including Biz Stone, Tim Ferriss, and Scott Belsky also participated in this round.
Board was founded by Brynn Putnam, who previously founded the home fitness company Mirror and sold it to Lululemon for $500 million in 2020.
Prior to this round of funding, Board had already raised $15 million, with early investors including Lerer Hippeau.
Gaming devices that combine physical and digital elements
Board's core product is a 24-inch touchscreen device with a wooden frame. The company claims that this device can recognize physical game pieces, combining the tactile feel of traditional board games with the interactive experience of video games.
The company disclosed that since its launch, the device has been installed in tens of thousands of homes, schools, hospitals, and restaurants across all 50 states. The Board also stated that 85% of customers use the device an average of 30 times or more per month.
AI game creation tool to be launched within the year
Along with the funding announcement, an AI-powered content creation platform called Board Studio was also unveiled. The company stated that the platform will launch later this year, allowing users to generate original games using natural language prompts and create a playable prototype within one hour.
This development also reflects the changing financing environment for consumer technology. The report mentions that the consumer technology sector, which has long been neglected by capital, has recently shown signs of recovery, partly because AI is bringing new product forms and development methods.
Putnam views Board as an extension of his work on Mirror. Unlike Mirror, which emphasizes individual training and self-expression, Board prioritizes bringing family and friends back to the same space for interaction.
