A residency for creators, entrepreneurs, and community builders. Focused housing on Jericho Beach, Vancouver. From idea to launch — together.
Basecamp is a live-and-build residency for entrepreneurs, creators, and community builders who need focused, affordable housing in Vancouver to take their work from idea to a fully working version one.
The program runs from October 2026 through May 2027. Within that window, residents join for the duration that fits their project — typically 4 to 8 weeks — living steps from the ocean in one of Vancouver's most beautiful neighborhoods while plugging directly into the city's creative, entrepreneurial, open-source, and university communities.
The structure draws from the PIE Cookbook accelerator methodology — a proven, open-source playbook for community-driven programs — adapted for a residency that serves not just tech founders, but writers, artists, civic technologists, and anyone whose work demands sustained focus and extended runway.
The goal is to reduce the cost of living so people can invest more time, energy, and resources into their work.
— The founding principle, since Philadelphia, 2014In 2014, a former halfway house in Philadelphia was transformed into shared housing for social entrepreneurs and local craftspeople — one of the first spaces of its kind in the United States.
That project proved that reducing housing overhead was one of the most direct ways to support people doing meaningful work. Residents focused on building, not on making rent.
Basecamp carries that same conviction to Vancouver's west side, partnering with HI Jericho Beach to create something rare — an affordable foothold in one of Canada's most expensive cities, purpose-built for people who are here to ship.
1515 Discovery Street, Vancouver BC · Heritage naval barracks, est. 1930s
HI Jericho Beach is a heritage building — originally constructed as naval barracks in the 1930s — set in parkland on the shore of Jericho Beach in Kitsilano. During the summer it operates as a public hostel. From October through May, the building transitions to long-term stays.
We've secured two large dorm rooms exclusively for Basecamp participants. The rooms feature privacy-enclosed pod sections that normally accommodate four people, but for this program only two people share each pod — giving you meaningful personal space within a communal setting. Private rooms are also available at a higher rate for those who need them.
The building includes a shared kitchen with full cooking facilities, multiple lounge and common areas, a home theatre for screenings and presentations, free Wi-Fi, on-site laundry, and secure storage. You're a four-minute walk from the beach, a short bus ride from UBC and downtown, and connected to all major transit.
Share with one person
Cook, prep, share meals
Screenings & demos
4 min walk to Jericho
Free Wi-Fi everywhere
The program runs October 2026 through May 2027. You stay for the duration your project needs — typically 4 to 8 weeks. Start when it works for you.
Whatever your discipline — software, writing, art, civic tech, hardware, community organizing — arrive with an idea and leave with a fully working version one. A real product, a launched project, a finished work.
Peer reviews, demo nights, mentorship connections, and shared accountability. Use the home theatre for presentations, screenings, and group crits.
Basecamp is embedded in the communities that will challenge your work, open doors, and give you a lasting network in one of the most livable cities on the Pacific Rim.
Writers, filmmakers, designers, visual artists, musicians — open studios, residency events, and connections with people making interesting work.
Founder meetups, pitch events, coworking communities, and mentorship networks. Whether you're pre-revenue or scaling.
A strong open-source developer community spanning decentralized tech, freedom tech, web infrastructure, and more.
UBC is a ten-minute bus ride. SFU, BCIT, and Emily Carr are all accessible. Academic communities and research labs.
Active networks building for the public good — housing, climate, cooperative models. If your work serves communities, you'll find your people.
Mountains, ocean, old-growth forest — all within reach on foot or by bus. The environment that keeps the work honest.
Submit your interest. Rolling review — earlier applications get priority.
First cohort arrives. Orientation, community onboarding, goal-setting.
New participants join as spots open. Stay for the duration your project needs.
Final cohort wraps. Showcase event and community celebration.
We're looking for people ready to build. Entrepreneurs, creators, writers, civic technologists, designers, organizers — if you have a project and the drive to launch it, we want to hear from you.
Questions about the program, interested in sponsoring or partnering, or just want to connect — reach out below.