FREEDOMUS – AN INNOVATIVE PROPERTY MARKETPLACE FOR DIGITAL NOMADS

Digital nomadism is transforming traditional notions of work and lifestyle, providing unparalleled freedom of travel while staying professionally connected. Yet, this way of living presents its own challenges, particularly when finding housing options that fit the budget with convenient work facilities. This project tackles these issues by designing an innovative digital nomad property marketplace in Portugal. The project follows the Lean Startup methodology, starting with a deep understanding of this group’s challenges through 20 interviews and online community observations (nethnography). This exploration uncovered key frustrations: increasing housing costs, unavailability of the internet, insufficient workspaces, and the loneliness that often comes with temporary residence. To address these challenges, a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) was developed, a home exchange platform called FreedomUs. This platform is not just about swapping homes, it is about creating spaces that truly work for digital nomads, from ergonomic workstations to verified high-speed internet. It also fosters a sense of community, which allows nomads to relate to other nomads and engage with local communities. The feedback from 6 participants, including digital nomads and investors, collected from the focus group (solution testing phase) highlighted the platform’s potential to fill a major market gap. The project also demonstrated that through sustainable living, repurposing existing housing, and decentralizing tourism, it contributes to broader global goals.