Find Your Founder
Flatmates
Stop building alone in random Airbnbs. ShipNest matches indie hackers and solo founders into curated co-living apartments for 1–3 month stints—paired by timezone, work style, and founder stage.
Next cohort: Q2 2026 · Limited to 20 founders per city
How It Works
Apply
Fill out a quick application telling us about your project, preferred city, dates, and work style. Pay the $49 matching fee.
Get Matched
We review your application and match you with 1–3 compatible founders heading to the same city at the same time. Matched by timezone, schedule, and vibe.
Move In
We connect you with a vetted local host, handle the apartment intro, and set up your cohort group. You just show up and start building.
Three Cities. One Community.
We've chosen cities with proven founder infrastructure, reliable internet, and a cost of living that makes sense.
Lisbon
Various neighborhoods
Europe's startup darling. Fast Wi-Fi everywhere, affordable living, incredible food scene, and a massive founder community. Perfect for European-timezone builders.
Best for EU timezonesBali
Canggu
The OG digital nomad hub, but done right. Canggu has world-class co-working spaces, a thriving founder scene, and the lowest cost of living of our three cities.
Best for APAC timezonesMexico City
Roma Norte / Condesa
The cultural powerhouse. Roma Norte and Condesa offer tree-lined streets, vibrant cafes, and an exploding tech scene. Ideal for Americas-timezone founders.
Best for US timezonesBuilt For Builders Like You
ShipNest isn't for digital nomads looking for a party scene. It's for founders who want to ship product from somewhere inspiring.
Bootstrapped Founders
You're building a real business without VC money. You need focus, not distractions. Living with founders who get it means accountability without the performative startup culture.
Indie Hackers
You ship fast, iterate faster. Whether it's a SaaS tool, a newsletter, or a marketplace — you want to be around others who are also building in public and making revenue.
Solo SaaS Builders
You're the developer, designer, and marketer. Working alone is fine, but living alone abroad gets old. Co-living with other builders keeps you sane and motivated.
Why Founders Trust ShipNest
Founder-Only Vetting
Every applicant is reviewed manually. We verify your project, check your online presence, and make sure you're a serious builder — not just a tourist.
Timezone Matching
We pair you with founders on similar schedules so nobody's taking calls at 3am in the living room. Work hours align, social hours align.
Flexible 1–3 Month Stays
No year-long leases, no week-long "retreats." Pick the duration that fits your roadmap. Most founders do 2-month stints.
What You Get
Included
Founder Vetting & Matching
Every applicant is reviewed. We match by timezone, schedule, and founder stage.
Pre-Scouted Apartment
2–4 bedroom apartments in proven neighborhoods, verified by our team.
Local Host Intro
A local contact who handles keys, check-in, and emergency support.
Cohort Community
Private group for your apartment + city-wide founder network.
Weekly Co-Working
One organized session per week at a local cafe or co-work space.
Not Included
Rent (paid directly to host/landlord)
Flights, visa, or insurance
Co-working desk memberships
Food, laundry, or cleaning
Matching Fee
$49one-time
Covers vetting, matching, and host coordination. Refundable only if we can't find a match.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the $49 matching fee cover?
It covers our vetting process, timezone-based matching algorithm, apartment scouting, and host coordination. If we can't find you a match, we refund it in full.
How much is rent on top of the matching fee?
Rent varies by city: Bali runs $600–$1,000/mo, Lisbon $800–$1,400/mo, and Mexico City $700–$1,200/mo. You pay rent directly to the host/landlord.
How do you match founders?
We match based on timezone overlap, work schedule (early bird vs. night owl), founder stage, and general vibe. Our goal is flatmates who respect each other's focus time and enjoy hanging out after work.
What if I don't get along with my flatmates?
It rarely happens because of our vetting, but if it does — we'll help mediate or find you alternative accommodation. We're building a community, not just filling beds.
Do I need a visa?
Visa requirements depend on your nationality and destination. Most founders use tourist visas or digital nomad visas. We can point you to resources, but visa arrangements are your responsibility.
Can I extend my stay?
Yes, subject to availability. Many founders extend from 1 month to 2–3 months once they're settled. Just let us know and we'll coordinate with your host.
Ready to Find Your People?
Tell us about yourself and your project. We'll match you with compatible founders heading to the same city.