Draper Startup House

Draper Startup House is part of the Draper ecosystem, which includes Draper Associates, Draper University, Draper TV, and Draper Nation. It was launched to support entrepreneurs globally by offering coworking spaces, coliving accommodations, and resources to help them grow their businesses. Currently, Draper Startup House operates in over 15 countries, with plans to expand to 100 countries by 2030, aiming to create 1 million new businesses worldwide.

The initiative was founded in 2018 by Vikram Bharati as Tribe Theory, initially to offer spaces for digital nomads to work and connect. In 2019, it joined the Draper Venture Network and rebranded as Draper Startup House. The company’s mission is to foster entrepreneurship by creating hubs where startup founders, investors, and remote workers can live, work, and collaborate. Their core values focus on connecting, inspiring, and empowering entrepreneurs globally.

Draper Startup House provides a supportive environment for entrepreneurs, offering services like workspaces, events, and access to funding. The organisation has partnered with local businesses and coworking spaces in cities such as Astana, Bangalore, Buenos Aires, Colombo, Da Nang, and many others. Each hub offers amenities like free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, daily cleaning, and meeting spaces to create a conducive working environment.

One of the primary benefits of Draper Startup House is its global network. Entrepreneurs at these locations can connect with like-minded individuals and potential investors from across the world. Partnerships with organisations like Astana Hub in Kazakhstan, Huerta Coworking in Argentina, and Hatch Works in Sri Lanka enhance its global reach and support for startups.

In terms of funding, Draper Startup House Ventures Fund provides investments of up to $150,000 for startups. Entrepreneurs can also leverage the Draper Venture Network’s 24 global venture funds, connecting them with relevant investors and mentors. These funds support startups at different stages of development, offering capital and strategic advice.

Draper Startup House aims to support a wide variety of startups in different sectors, including technology, education, and venture capital. Its vision is to be a global leader in fostering entrepreneurship, helping entrepreneurs develop innovative businesses, and building a borderless platform for startups to collaborate and thrive across the world.

Draper Startup House began its journey in 2018 when Vikram Bharati founded the initiative under the name Tribe Theory. The original concept was to create spaces for digital nomads where they could work, connect, and collaborate with like-minded individuals. Tribe Theory offered coworking and coliving spaces that were affordable and community-driven, targeting entrepreneurs and remote workers who sought more than just a place to stay.

In 2019, Tribe Theory became part of the Draper Venture Network, founded by Tim Draper, a well-known venture capitalist. Upon joining the Draper ecosystem, Tribe Theory rebranded as Draper Startup House, aligning with the mission to empower global entrepreneurship. This move helped the initiative gain access to global funding networks and expand its operations beyond just providing coworking spaces. The rebranding was pivotal as it positioned Draper Startup House not only as a space for digital nomads but also as a hub for startup founders, investors, and remote workers from various sectors.

After the rebranding, Draper Startup House continued its rapid expansion. By 2020, it had set up locations in key cities across the globe, including Singapore, Bangalore, Buenos Aires, and Hyderabad, creating spaces where entrepreneurs could network, learn, and build businesses. The expansion included partnerships with local businesses and organisations, ensuring that each location offered not only workspaces but also opportunities for startups to gain access to mentorship, funding, and other resources.

One of the significant developments in 2020 was the creation of the Draper Startup House Ventures Fund. This fund was established to provide financial backing to startups at the pre-seed stage. The fund offers up to $150,000 in investment for scalable, innovation-driven companies. This initiative further cemented Draper Startup House’s role in supporting startups from the early stages to the growth phases. Entrepreneurs could also connect with Draper Venture Network's 24 global funds, opening doors to a vast network of investors and mentors.

By 2021, Draper Startup House had expanded more including locations in Astana, Bali, Colombo, Da Nang, Kingston, and Manila. The vision remained clear: to create 1 million new businesses by 2030. The company also launched the Draper Nation initiative, which was focused on creating a digital-first borderless nation for entrepreneurs, offering various services like global mobility and decentralised governance.

In 2022, Draper Startup House continued to strengthen its global network through partnerships with entities such as Astana Hub in Kazakhstan, Huerta Coworking in Argentina, and Hatch Works in Sri Lanka. These collaborations helped solidify the brand’s presence in regions that were emerging as startup hubs. This period also saw an increase in startup activity at Draper Startup House locations, with more startups receiving funding and mentorship through the organisation’s global network.

In 2023, the focus shifted towards building deeper connections within the startup ecosystem. Draper Startup House began organising more events, workshops, and accelerator programs aimed at helping entrepreneurs grow their businesses. The organisation also introduced Pop-Up Experiences, allowing founders to come together in different cities to network and gain exposure to investors and industry leaders.

As of 2024, Draper Startup House operates in over 15 countries, including major cities such as New York, San Mateo, Seoul, Singapore, and Toronto. The organisation has helped create thousands of startups across sectors like technology, education, and venture capital. Its global network, which includes over 100,000 entrepreneurs, continues to grow, supporting founders with resources, funding, and a collaborative environment.
 

Draper Startup House was created with a clear goal and purpose: to support and empower global entrepreneurship. Its primary objective is to help create 1 million new businesses by 2030 by providing a platform where startup founders, digital nomads, and remote workers can come together to live, work, and collaborate.

The organisation’s purpose is to offer entrepreneurs more than just a physical workspace. Draper Startup House aims to create a global network of resources, mentors, and investors that startups can tap into to grow and succeed. By connecting individuals from different countries and industries, the organisation fosters an environment of learning, innovation, and growth.

The company is driven by three main principles: connecting, inspiring, and empowering. Entrepreneurs are encouraged to connect, gain inspiration from global mentors, and use these connections to empower themselves and others in building successful businesses.

Draper Startup House also aims to offer financial support to startups. Through its Ventures Fund, entrepreneurs can receive investments to help scale their businesses. The organisation provides access to a network of 24 global venture funds through the Draper Venture Network, which helps startups secure the capital they need at different stages of growth.

The impact of Draper Startup House has been significant in supporting global entrepreneurship. By providing coworking and coliving spaces across more than 15 countries, the organisation has created a community where entrepreneurs can network, collaborate, and access vital resources.

Through its Ventures Fund, Draper Startup House has helped startups secure early-stage funding, providing investments of up to $150,000. This financial support, combined with access to Draper Venture Network’s 24 global funds, has enabled startups to grow and expand internationally.

The organisation has also impacted the entrepreneurial landscape by offering mentorship, workshops, and events, fostering innovation and business growth. By connecting founders with investors and mentors globally, Draper Startup House has empowered startups to overcome barriers and scale their businesses. Its long-term goal of creating 1 million new businesses by 2030 reflects its commitment to driving entrepreneurship and economic growth worldwide.