Six twentysomethings in East London have built what they say is the anti-San Francisco hacker house. The goal is a “holistic improvement in life,” rather than “12 weeks, Demo Day is coming.” Rowan Aldean, 26, explained.

Aldean and his wife, Zahraa, an upcoming pharmaceutical research PhD candidate, live in the London Island Founder House — or “Lift House” — which has been their home since May. Aldean sold his previous company last year for millions and now runs an “applied AI” startup that helps companies learn how to deploy agents.

The house is named after both its lift, and its mission to uplift tech founders. It’s one of the very few co-living hacker houses in London compared to San Francisco where dozens — if not hundreds — exist. Founders describe stories of San Francisco hacker houses illegally running in warehouses, throwing full-on galas, or setting up in a tent.

Instead, Lift House is part of a trend called “Londonmaxxing,” in which founders attempt to optimize everything the London tech scene offers. The London ecosystem feels less showy and less startup bro-y than San Francisco but its founders share similar ambitions: success, wealth, and market domination.