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Interesting! This sounds like a developer hostel, to some degree. How's the internet access from this land? Are there builds on the land? What do you need to do

Interesting! This sounds like a developer hostel, to some degree. How's the internet access from this land? Are there builds on the land? What do you need to do to get it up and running and do you have the capital for it (I assume not since you posted this though you were able to buy the land so I wasn't sure). Maybe look to what places like the hackers dojo to see if a similar type of business model could fit for you. I like it. I have a family so I wouldn't be able to use this but when I was back in college if I KNEW there was a place I could live and code, on the cheap and on the west coast, even if it wasn't that close to SF or LA, I would have jumped at the chance. Target demographic is college kids I'm assuming? Also single people and / or hopeful founders?

newman8r 11y ago
Yeah - I have looked into a lot of existing and defunct hacker hostels to get an idea of the landscape. The big difference here being an emphasis on a cheap location, and the emphasis on a life-long network rather than a short term living situation. Having a family is a limiting factor in people uprooting their lives, so I think you're right in saying that a younger audience is going to be the target (I'm 30 though). And yeah - single people and hopeful founders would also be a good target. This isn't something the members necessarily need to live at or pay a lot of money into - for some it may be nothing more than a cool vacation spot for a week or two. Thanks for the support. The idea is definitely a fun one but I'm also staying realistic with all of the challenges. Internet access is OK now, with a perfect 4g connection. Fortunately there is a local provider for high power wifi connections thats very affordable an I plan to set it up soon. There is currently a cement, permitted building pad on the land - I bought myself a small trailer for my office, 3d printer, etc and a small bunk bed. The other devs who have been there have nice tents set up - but I have plans in progress which I will get a permit for to expand the buildings.
newman8r 11y ago
re: what do I need in terms of capital at this point I was able to purchase the land incredibly cheap, currently my business partner and myself have a few contracts for enterprise support that keep us afloat. I do need capital to progress this project quickly - if I don't get any investment soon, progress will happen but at a slower pace. The biggest thing is the team though. The feeling of working with a genius team is amazing and getting some YC support will help me get some more people on board. Things that additional capital would help: -small drilling rig to put in deeper wells, also each well requires $200-$500 for permit fees -additional building permits and materials (already have all needed air tools) -legal consultation -a very modest marketing campaign -Investment in other small nearby parcels at the county tax auction (in may - thousands of area properties being auctioned)

newman8r 11y ago

Yeah - I have looked into a lot of existing and defunct hacker hostels to get an idea of the landscape. The big difference here being an emphasis on a cheap location, and the emphasis on a life-long network rather than a short term living situation. Having a family is a limiting factor in people uprooting their lives, so I think you're right in saying that a younger audience is going to be the target (I'm 30 though). And yeah - single people and hopeful founders would also be a good target. This isn't something the members necessarily need to live at or pay a lot of money into - for some it may be nothing more than a cool vacation spot for a week or two. Thanks for the support. The idea is definitely a fun one but I'm also staying realistic with all of the challenges. Internet access is OK now, with a perfect 4g connection. Fortunately there is a local provider for high power wifi connections thats very affordable an I plan to set it up soon. There is currently a cement, permitted building pad on the land - I bought myself a small trailer for my office, 3d printer, etc and a small bunk bed. The other devs who have been there have nice tents set up - but I have plans in progress which I will get a permit for to expand the buildings.

newman8r 11y ago

re: what do I need in terms of capital at this point I was able to purchase the land incredibly cheap, currently my business partner and myself have a few contracts for enterprise support that keep us afloat. I do need capital to progress this project quickly - if I don't get any investment soon, progress will happen but at a slower pace. The biggest thing is the team though. The feeling of working with a genius team is amazing and getting some YC support will help me get some more people on board. Things that additional capital would help: -small drilling rig to put in deeper wells, also each well requires $200-$500 for permit fees -additional building permits and materials (already have all needed air tools) -legal consultation -a very modest marketing campaign -Investment in other small nearby parcels at the county tax auction (in may - thousands of area properties being auctioned)