The Founding Hosts Program
Be Among the First 20 in Your State to Reimagine the Outdoors.
Twenty hosts per state. One locked-in rate. The Founding Hosts Program recognizes the earliest hosts who help each state's outdoor marketplace reach a meaningful size — with a permanent badge, priority visibility, and a lifetime 4.75% (paid by renter) platform fee.
- 20 numbered Founding Host slots per US state.
- Locked-in 4.75% (paid by renter) platform fee for life — not deducted from your payout.
- Slots are secured automatically when your first listing is approved.
Start your host application. Verification and program requirements apply.
Why This Program Exists.
Marketplaces need inventory before renters arrive. That means the earliest hosts in each state play the biggest role in building momentum, growing the audience, and helping lead the way in reimagining the outdoors.
The Founding Hosts Program is Shanty BB™'s answer to that. It recognizes the outdoorsmen and outdoorswomen who publish first, help each state hit critical mass, and set the tone for what a quality outdoor listing looks like in their region.
Twenty per state. Permanent recognition. A locked-in rate that follows the account, not the listing.
Locked-in for life
Two Rates. Founding Hosts Lock In the Lower One.
Founding Hosts
4.75%
Lifetime platform fee (paid by renter)
How it's charged: The 4.75% (paid by renter) platform fee is added to the renter's booking total at checkout. It is not deducted from your payout.
Standard Rate
5.25%
Standard platform fee (paid by renter)
How it's charged: The 5.25% (paid by renter) platform fee is added to the renter's booking total at checkout. It is not deducted from your payout.
Stripe payment-processing fees are separate and required by Stripe on every transaction, regardless of Founding Host status. See Trust Your Payment for details.
What You Actually Get
Twelve Reasons to Be Among the First 20.
- #01
Your Numbered Founding Host Shield
A permanent state-specific shield badge stamped with your two-letter state and your number #1–#20. Linked to your host account for life — displayed on your profile, listings, and dashboard.
ExampleMassachusetts · Slot #7 - #02
Lifetime 4.75% (paid by renter) Platform Fee
Locked in for the life of your account. The 4.75% (paid by renter) is added to the renter's booking total at checkout — it is not deducted from your payout.
- #03
Launch-Period Listing Visibility
Priority placement during your state's launch window so your listing benefits from every marketing push we run.
- #04
Complimentary Listing Optimization
A personalized review of your title, photos, description, pricing, and calendar with the Shanty BB™ team.
- #05
Priority Customer Support
A dedicated support queue for Founding Hosts with faster response times on host issues.
- #06
Early Access to New Host Features
Selected features are opened to Founding Hosts ahead of the general host population for hands-on feedback.
- #07
Selected Merchandise Opportunities
Eligibility for founding-edition apparel and gear drops as they launch — not a guarantee, but you're first in line.
- #08
Social & Email Feature Eligibility
Your property and story may be featured across Shanty BB™'s social channels and marketing emails.
- #09
A Voice in Selected Platform Improvements
Feedback surveys and beta-invite lists reserved for Founding Hosts. Your input helps shape how the platform grows.
- #10
State-Specific Standing
Your slot is tied to the state where you list. Once assigned, no other host can take slot #1 through #20 in that state.
- #11
Permanent Reservation of Your Slot
If your account is ever revoked, your numbered slot remains reserved — it is never reissued to another host.
- #12
Founding Hosts Recognition
Listed in the internal founding roster used for anniversaries, milestones, and future recognition programs.
Who Qualifies?
A Founding Host slot is not secured by creating an account. It is reserved automatically the moment your first listing is approved and every requirement below is met.
- You are a real person with verifiable identity (Stripe identity verification).
- You own the property you are listing, or you have documented authorization to list it.
- Your first listing meets applicable Shanty BB™ quality standards and is approved.
- Your Stripe payout account is active and in good standing.
- Your Shanty BB™ account is in good standing with no active violations.
- You are among the first 20 hosts in your state to satisfy every requirement above.
How You Secure a Slot.
- 1
Create Your Account
Start your host application in under two minutes. Verification and program requirements apply.
- 2
Complete Verification
Applicable identity, ownership or authorization, tax, and payout requirements via Stripe.
- 3
Publish Your First Listing
Your slot is reserved automatically when your first listing is approved — not when you sign up.
- 4
Receive Your Numbered Slot
You'll get a permanent 01-{ST}-FF{01–20}-XXXXXXX ID and Founding Host badge on your profile.
Frequently asked
Questions. Straight Answers.
The First 20 Hosts in Your State Will Not Be Chosen Twice.
No countdown timers. No fake scarcity. Just a straightforward program: publish your first listing, meet the requirements, and lock in a lifetime rate that no future host can match.
Recognize your work.
Reward your timing.
Reimagine the outdoors.
Applicable verification and program requirements apply.
Learn how Shanty BB™ works for hosts