Is ‘Together Tech’ the Next Big Startup Trend for 2026?

While artificial intelligence continues to dominate headlines and shatter fundraising records, a counter-movement is quietly gaining momentum. Founders are increasingly pivoting toward “together tech”—a category of ventures designed to foster human connection through in-person social interaction and tangible experiences.

This shift is visible in recent funding rounds and viral trends. Brynn Putnam, founder of Mirror, has secured backing for Board, a new startup explicitly focused on bringing people together through social games and in-person experiences. Simultaneously, the rise of “cyberdeck” creators—who build whimsical, DIY computers—highlights a growing desire among users for hardware that encourages physical engagement rather than just digital consumption.

Beyond the AI Hype Cycle

Industry observers suggest this is more than a simple backlash against the relentless surge of AI. Instead, it reflects a genuine migration of interest toward products that feel inherently human. During a recent episode of the Equity podcast, Kirsten Korosec, Anthony Ha, and Sean O’Kane analyzed how this “together tech” wave is positioning itself against the backdrop of massive AI investments, including Alphabet’s recent $80 billion commitment to the sector.

The conversation also scrutinized how capital is flowing in the current market, noting several outliers that are prioritizing human-centric goals over automation:

• Climate Tech Focus: Former Meta CTO Mike Schroepfer successfully raised $250 million for climate technology, bucking the trend of exclusive AI investment.
• Human Capital vs. Algorithms: The rocket engine startup Impulse secured $500 million, with leadership explicitly emphasizing that these funds are dedicated to human talent rather than AI infrastructure.
• Market Shifts: The emergence of creator economy power, exemplified by YouTube directors finding success at the box office, underscores changing audience preferences.
• Financial Transparency: The industry is closely monitoring Anthropic’s confidential IPO filing as a benchmark for comparing the financial health of leading AI labs.

As the market evaluates the long-term viability of AI-heavy portfolios, these companies are betting that the next frontier of innovation will be defined by how technology brings people together, rather than how it keeps them apart.