StudentsBoatComing Spring 2027

Feel at home,
wherever you roam.

The trusted platform connecting international students & young professionals with verified housing, roommates, and community worldwide.

Verified HostsAI MatchingSecure Payments24/7 Support

Be the first to know when we launch in Spring 2027.

Market Size
$B+
Students Annually
M+
University Partners
+
Launch Date
Spring '27

Backed by Oregon's leading startup ecosystem

Portland State UniversityVertueLabTiE OregonRAIN CatalystsBusiness OregonJanus Innovation HubThe Cube IncubatorPortland State UniversityVertueLabTiE OregonRAIN CatalystsBusiness OregonJanus Innovation HubThe Cube IncubatorPortland State UniversityVertueLabTiE OregonRAIN CatalystsBusiness OregonJanus Innovation HubThe Cube Incubator
For Students

Everything you need.
One platform.

From housing to banking, SIM cards to community—we've got every step covered.

Verified Apartments

Verified Apartments

Verified Apartments

Pre-vetted apartments near your university with virtual tours.

Virtual Tours
Verified Landlords
Secure Deposits
Shared Housing

Shared Housing

Shared Housing

Find compatible roommates through AI matching.

AI Roommate Matching
Cost Sharing
Compatibility Score
Host Families

Host Families

Host Families

Live with verified local families for cultural immersion.

Cultural Immersion
Meals Included
Language Practice
University Housing

University Housing

University Housing

On-campus and university-affiliated housing options.

Campus Proximity
University Support
Student Community

Verified Apartments

Shared Housing

Host Families

University Housing

Ready to start your journey?

Moving abroad shouldn't
feel like a leap of faith.

Every year, millions of international students face the same overwhelming challenges: housing scams, cultural barriers, and a complete lack of trusted guidance. The current system is fragmented, unreliable, and often dangerous.

$1.2B+

Lost to housing scams

International students lose over $1.2 billion annually to fraudulent listings and fake landlords on unverified platforms.

67%

Report housing stress

Two-thirds of international students cite finding safe, affordable accommodation as their #1 challenge when relocating.

4.5M

Students need support

Millions of international students relocate each year, facing unfamiliar systems, languages, and cultures without adequate guidance.

89%

Lack local networks

Nearly 9 in 10 students arrive without any local connections, leading to isolation, loneliness, and difficulty navigating daily life.

The current experience is broken

No Verification

Existing platforms don't verify hosts or properties, leaving students vulnerable to scams.

Fragmented Services

Students juggle 5-7 different apps and services just to settle in a new country.

Hidden Costs

Unexpected fees, currency confusion, and lack of transparent pricing add financial stress.

Cultural Barriers

Language differences and unfamiliar customs make simple tasks overwhelming.

The Solution

One platform.
Complete peace of mind.

StudentsBoat unifies the fragmented relocation journey into a single, secure ecosystem. We replace uncertainty with trust and isolation with belonging.

Verified Housing

Every listing and host is rigorously verified to eliminate scams.

AI Matching

Smart algorithms connect students with compatible roommates.

Secure Payments

Escrow protection ensures funds are safe until move-in.

Community

Instant connection to local student networks and support.

Verified
Match Score
98%

Everything you need.
Nothing you don't.

From your first search to your first day of class, StudentsBoat is with you every step of the way. One platform, complete peace of mind.

Self-Sovereign Digital Identity

Your credentials, your control. A blockchain-backed digital wallet stores your verified documents. Share only what you need, when you need it across borders, instantly.

AI-Powered Matching

Our algorithm analyzes 30+ compatibility factors to match you with the perfect home and roommates.

Verified Housing Network

Every listing undergoes rigorous eight step verification and screening process. No more scams.

Secure Escrow Payments

Your money is protected. Funds are held securely within 24 hours after you confirm a successful move-in. Full refund if anything goes wrong.

Complete Settlement Services

A-Z everything YOU need are ready before you even land. We handle the logistics so you can focus on your studies.

24/7 Trust & Safety

Round-the-clock multilingual support with emergency response protocols. Our safety team is always one tap away, wherever you are in the world.

And so much more

A comprehensive ecosystem designed for international students and young Professionals success

Cultural Intelligence

Personalized guides to local customs and etiquette

AI Digital Companion

Your personal assistant for navigating every step of the relocation journey.

Job & Internship Board

Visa-compliant work opportunities and various job listings.

University Integration

Direct connection to campus services, orientation, and student resources.

Financial Guidance

Tax filing help, SSN/TIN resources, and student banking setup.

Legal Support

Visa guidance, attorney connections, and rights education.

Host Family Program

A home away from home.

Connect international students with verified local families for authentic cultural immersion, safe accommodation, and meaningful relationships.

What is a Host Family?

A host family is a local household that opens their home to international students and young professionals. More than just accommodation, it's a gateway to authentic cultural experiences and a support system in a new country.

Host families provide a safe, nurturing environment where students can thrive academically while experiencing the warmth of family life.

Background Verified
Home Inspected
References Checked
24/7 Support

Host Family

Portland, OR

Student

From Tokyo, JP

✓ Verified
⟷

Perfect Match

98% compatibility

Home Away From Home

Live with a caring local family who welcomes you as their own, reducing homesickness and culture shock.

Cultural Immersion

Experience authentic local traditions, celebrations, and daily life that textbooks simply cannot teach.

Language Practice

Daily conversations naturally improve your language skills in a comfortable, supportive environment.

Home-Cooked Meals

Enjoy nutritious meals and discover local cuisine while saving on food expenses.

Emotional Support

Gain mentors who guide you through challenges and celebrate your successes.

Safe & Verified

All host families undergo rigorous background checks and home inspections for your peace of mind.

How it works

Our verification process ensures safe, compatible connections.

01
Apply

Complete your profile

02
Verify

Background checks

03
Match

AI finds compatibility

04
Connect

Meet your match

Trust is our foundation.

We've built a multi-layered verification system to ensure that every interaction on StudentsBoat is safe, secure, and genuine.

Identity Verification

Every student and host undergoes rigorous identity checks using government-issued ID and biometric matching.

Payment Protection

Our escrow system holds payments securely. Hosts are only paid 24 hours after a successful move-in.

Property Verification

We verify property ownership and conditions through video inspections and local verification partners.

Designed for the journey.

An intuitive experience that guides students from their home country to their new front door.

Our Journey So Far

From idea to impact.

Every milestone has shaped StudentsBoat into the platform it is today. Backed by Oregon's leading startup ecosystem.

7 programs & accelerators1 award2024 – Present
3rd Place
01
April 2024

Everyday Entrepreneurs 2024 Finals

Portland State University

Placed 3rd at Portland State University's Everyday Entrepreneurs 2024 Finals, featured in PSU School of Business news.

Learn more
02
2024

Camp45 Pre-Accelerator

VertueLab

Engaged in a pre-accelerator program supporting innovation-driven and impact-focused startups through structured validation.

Learn more
03
2024

TiE XL Boot Camp

TiE Oregon

Completed TiE Oregon's intensive boot camp covering business modeling, customer discovery, pitching, and fundraising.

Learn more
04
2025

The Cube Incubator

Portland State University

Selected for Portland State University's student incubator, receiving hands-on mentorship and venture development support.

Learn more
05
Q3 2025

RAIN Catalysts

RAIN Accelerator

Participated in RAIN Catalysts' accelerator program focused on inclusive entrepreneurship and early-stage growth.

Learn more
06
Current

Metro Region Innovation Hub

Business Oregon

Part of Business Oregon's innovation ecosystem, providing founder navigation and connections to regional resources.

Learn more
07
Present

Janus Innovation Hub

San Diego, California

Incubated at Janus Innovation Hub in San Diego, CA—supporting underrepresented founders with mentorship and strategic guidance.

Learn more

Supported by Oregon's leading startup ecosystem

Portland State UniversityVertueLabTiE OregonRAIN CatalystsBusiness OregonJanus Innovation Hub
Leadership Team

Meet the Founders.
Built to execute.

Our team brings together decades of experience in technology, entrepreneurship, and international education. We've built and scaled products across multiple continents and industries.

Founding Team

Ashraf Mandour

Ashraf Mandour

CEO & Co-Founder | Serial Entrepreneur

  • Co-founded 6+ startups across FinTech, Real Estate, Social Media & EdTech
  • MoneyLoop (CTO) – Authorized by Saudi Central Bank
  • Mawlny (COO) – Won 1st prize at Saudi Arabia's first FinTech accelerator
  • 9+ years at Jeddah Municipality (Oracle Developer to Project Manager)
  • Director of Innovation & Entrepreneurship at University of Jeddah (5 years)
Dmitry Kazinets

Dmitry Kazinets

CTO | Tech Lead, Cloud & AI Systems

  • Senior Software Engineer with 10+ years of experience
  • Oversees platform architecture, backend systems, and release readiness
  • Builds AI-powered workflows and automation tools for product operations
  • Expert in scalable infrastructure, microservices, and secure system design
Tarun Kumar Yerra

Tarun Kumar Yerra

Co-Founder | DevOps & Cloud Engineer

  • DevOps & Cloud Software Engineer with 8+ years of experience
  • Background: DevOps Engineer, Consultant & Data Engineer
  • Ernst & Young (EY) & FAANG consulting experience
  • Government sector technology expertise
  • Entrepreneurial drive with production-scale system design
Iryna Kniaziuk

Iryna Kniaziuk

Chief Growth Officer | Business Development & Partnerships

  • Leads strategic partnerships and pilot market outreach
  • Builds the host and student pipeline through university, community, and referral channels
  • Develops relationships with homestay providers, local housing networks, and support organizations
  • Supports market entry, partner onboarding, and student acquisition initiatives

Advisors & Mentors

Stacey Hoshimiya

Stacey Hoshimiya

Director, Center for Entrepreneurship

Portland State University

Tyrone Poole

Tyrone Poole

Founder

One AppRentals

Aras Sheiki

Aras Sheiki

CEO

Janus Innovation Hub

Mostafa Afkhamizadeh

Mostafa Afkhamizadeh

Stanford Graduate & CEO

Fluxido

Sam Brier

Sam Brier

Director

Academic Experience Abroad Programs

Our Mission
"We're combining deep technical expertise with real-world understanding of international student challenges to build something that truly makes a difference."
Investment Opportunity

A $167.3B+ market.
Zero dominant players.

International education is one of the fastest-growing sectors globally, yet the infrastructure supporting student mobility hasn't evolved in decades. StudentsBoat is building the trust layer that connects students, hosts, universities, and service providers in a single, verified ecosystem.

Market Opportunity

TAM
$167.3B+
Global international education market
SAM
$45B
Student housing & settlement services
SOM
$2.5B
Achievable market by Year 5
CAGR
8%
Annual market growth rate

Why Now?

Growing Demand

International student mobility has rebounded to record levels. 4.5M+ students study abroad annually, with numbers projected to reach 8M by 2030.

+35% growth since 2021

Fragmented Market

No single platform addresses the full student journey. Current solutions are regional, unreliable, or riddled with scams. Students use 5-7 different services.

$1.2B lost to scams annually

High-Value Customers

International students spend $50K+ annually on housing, services, and essentials. Strong lifetime value with 2-4 year engagement and alumni network effects.

$50K+ annual spend per student

Traction & Milestones

5
Launch Markets
USA, UK, India, China, Australia
5+
University Partners
In active pipeline
50+
Host Applications
Pre-launch interest
Spring 2027
Launch Date
Product ready

Join us in building the future of student mobility

We're raising our seed round to accelerate product development and launch in four key markets. Request our investor deck to learn more about the opportunity.

Or email us directly at info@studentsboat.com

"Every international student and young professionals deserves to feel at home, wherever they roam. We're building the infrastructure to make that possible."

— StudentsBoat Founding Team

For Universities

Partner with us.
Support your students.

Universities struggle with limited housing capacity and student support resources. StudentsBoat extends your campus services, ensuring your international students land softly and succeed from day one.

Extend Student Support

Provide comprehensive pre-arrival and settlement services without additional staff.

Reduce Housing Risk

Verified housing network eliminates scam exposure for your incoming students.

Solve Capacity Issues

Supplement limited dorm capacity with quality off-campus options.

Improve Outcomes

Students who settle well perform better academically and socially.

Seamless integration. StudentsBoat connects with your existing student information systems, orientation programs, and international student offices. White-label options available.

Feel at home, wherever you roam

Be part of
the journey.

Join thousands of students, hosts, and partners shaping the future of international student mobility.

4.5M+
Students to serve
4
Launch markets
5+
University partners
Spring '27
Launch date