Molly Cantillon had a vision—to create a space where women in tech could thrive, collaborate, and innovate without barriers. At just 20, Cantillon had already lived in several hacker houses, spaces designed to bring together like-minded tech enthusiasts and builders. But there was one glaring issue: most of these environments were predominantly male. This imbalance inspired her to co-found HackHer House, the first all-female hacker house in the San Francisco Bay Area.
“I wanted to replicate the energy of those spaces but with women,” Cantillon explained. This vision turned into reality when HackHer House opened its doors in North Beach, providing a collaborative home for seven women determined to make their mark in the tech world.
Hacker houses, where innovation and collaboration flourish under one roof, have long been a staple in high-rent tech hubs like Silicon Valley. By offering a shared living space, these houses allow founders and engineers to work on individual projects while exchanging ideas and resources in an environment that thrives on creativity. HackHer House aims to offer women the same opportunity to build and scale their ventures without the high costs of living that often plague areas like the Bay Area. As Jennifer Li, General Partner at Andreessen Horowitz and a sponsor of the initiative, noted, “It’s a cost-effective solution for talented founders who want to connect and support each other.”
Co-founded by Cantillon alongside Zoya Garg, Anna Monaco, and Anne Brandes, HackHer House represents a push against stereotypes in the tech world. “We’re not just living together; we’re building a community where women can thrive in tech,” said Garg, a Stanford senior and co-founder. The space was designed to empower women to succeed in an industry where male-dominated environments often limit opportunities for growth.
With venture capital backing and subsidized rent, HackHer House removes a significant barrier for women looking to enter the tech space—affordability. The house not only provides a physical space to live and work but also fosters a network of collaboration and support that is essential for launching successful ventures. For these women, the hacker house isn’t just a home; it’s a launchpad for their futures.
In tech-driven cities like San Francisco, hacker houses have become critical hubs for innovation. By combining affordable living with a thriving community of builders and creators, these spaces offer more than just a place to crash—they provide the foundation for the next generation of startups to emerge. HackHer House stands out in its mission to ensure women are at the forefront of that wave.
