Summary:
Two USC students created an all-female hacker house in San Francisco to support women founders with affordable housing and resources.
The non-profit initiative offers rent as low as $1,100, funded by donors and VCs, addressing the gender gap in startup funding.
A rigorous selection process ensured only serious, ambitious entrepreneurs were chosen from over 60 applicants.
Residents benefited from workshops, networking, and a collaborative community, leading to successful funding rounds and business growth.
Plans for expansion to multiple cities aim to empower more women in tech and challenge male-dominated industries.
FoundHer House: Empowering Female Founders in San Francisco
Two ambitious college students, Miki Safronov-Yamamoto (18) and Anantika Mannby (21), both from the University of Southern California, launched FoundHer House in San Francisco this summer. This all-female hacker house aims to disrupt the tech startup landscape by providing a supportive and affordable living space for women entrepreneurs.
Miki Safronov-Yamamoto (left) and Anantika Mannby, founders of FoundHer House. (Photo Credit: Keegan Wang)
Located in the Glen Park neighborhood, the Art Deco home served as a hub for innovation, offering housing at just $1,100 to $1,300 per month—significantly below San Francisco's average rent of $3,600 to $4,400. The initiative was partially funded by donors, venture capitalists, and grants from USC, making it accessible to aspiring female founders.
Rigorous Selection for Serious Entrepreneurs
Over 60 women applied for the eight available spots, undergoing a thorough process that included online applications and interviews. The founders sought ambitious, high-agency individuals dedicated to building their startups full-time, not as a hobby. Members gained access to a fully furnished space, workshops, networking events, and a community of like-minded founders.
Members of FoundHer House. (Photo Credit: FoundHer House)
Non-Profit Model for Greater Impact
To ensure accessibility, FoundHer House was registered as a non-profit organization. Unlike for-profit hacker houses, this model focuses on creating opportunities for women in tech, addressing the disparity in venture funding—only 3% of VC investments go to female-led companies.
A Day in the Life at FoundHer House
Residents, aged 18 to 21 from universities like Cornell and Stanford, enjoyed a collaborative environment. Days started with shared breakfasts and brainstorming sessions at a large dining table with a whiteboard. Evenings were vibrant with deep discussions and networking, often involving visits to coffee shops for matcha tea and attending events together.
FoundHer House members. (Photo Credit: FoundHer House)
Future Expansion and Vision
With hundreds expressing interest, the founders plan to expand to multiple locations in San Francisco, New York, and potentially London. They emphasize that women can achieve anything in the startup world, from fundraising to global impact, and encourage more female participation in male-dominated fields like AI.
FoundHer House Demo Day. (Photo credit: Keegan Wang)
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