The Problem
The van life movement has exploded, yet the community remains digitally fragmented. Over 3.9 million Americans live nomadically, and that number is growing globally. These people face a unique set of social challenges that no existing platform addresses:
- Isolation on the road. Nomads change locations weekly. Traditional social apps assume a fixed address. Tinder, Bumble, and Meetup don't understand that your "home" moves with you.
- No way to find nearby nomads. You might be parked 200 meters from someone who shares your lifestyle, and you'd never know. Instagram hashtags and Facebook groups create awareness but not proximity-based connection.
- Breakdown emergencies. When your van's electrical system dies in a remote area, there's no reliable way to find a qualified builder nearby. You're left searching outdated forum posts and hoping for the best.
The community is held together by fragmented tools: Instagram for inspiration, Facebook groups for advice, iOverlander for campsites, and Tinder for dating. None of them were built for people who move. Driftr is.
Target Audience
Primary Segments
- Full-time van lifers — Living on the road year-round. Highest engagement potential. Need dating, friendships, and builder services regularly.
- Part-time nomads & seasonal travelers — 3–6 months/year on the road. Use the app intensely during travel seasons.
- Van builders & mechanics — Supply side of the marketplace. Earn income through the Builder Help directory. Motivated to maintain strong profiles and reviews.
Geographic Focus
Launch markets: US West Coast (highest van life density), Portugal/Spain (European van life hub), Australia (established camper van culture). The app's proximity-based model works best where nomad density is high enough for meaningful nearby results.
Monetization Strategy
Driftr uses a freemium subscription model powered entirely by RevenueCat, with a future marketplace commission layer.
Subscription Tiers
| Feature | Free | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Daily Waves (likes) | 3 per day | Unlimited |
| Search Radius | 50 km | 250 km |
| Contact Builders | View only | Direct contact |
| See Who Waved at You | No | Yes |
| Premium Profile Badge | No | Yes |
Pricing (via RevenueCat)
| Plan | Price | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | $7.99/mo | Cancel anytime |
| Annual | $59.99/yr | 37% savings, 7-day free trial |
Future Revenue Streams
- Builder marketplace commission (Q2 2026) — 10% fee on in-app builder bookings via Stripe Connect. Estimated $5–15 per transaction on average service fees of $50–$150.
- Event monetization (Q3 2026) — Premium-only event creation for "Camp Together" meetups.
- Marketplace (2027) — Buy/sell van life gear with a listing fee or transaction commission.
Revenue Projections
| Metric | Month 6 | Year 1 | Year 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Active Users | 5,000 | 25,000 | 100,000 |
| Premium Conversion Rate | 4% | 6% | 8% |
| Monthly Recurring Revenue | $1,600 | $12,000 | $64,000 |