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Our Mission: Better Roommate Matches Through Science

We believe finding a compatible roommate shouldn't be a gamble. Domu Match is a science-driven platform that uses compatibility research to help students find roommates they'll actually get along with. Safety, transparency, and evidence-based matching guide everything we do.

Our Story

How we started, what drives us, and where we're headed.

University is supposed to be the most transformative chapter of your life, yet for millions of students, the excitement of an acceptance letter quickly fades into the anxiety of a housing lottery. We have seen this story play out too many times: brilliant students struggling to pass exams not because the coursework was too hard, but because their home environment was draining their energy. Domu Match was born from this silence - from the realization that while universities were excellent at teaching students what to learn, no one was helping them decide who to live with. We realized that in the high-stakes world of higher education, a compatible roommate isn't just a convenience; they are the difference between feeling isolated and feeling supported.

We refused to accept that your mental health should be left to chance, so we built the infrastructure to change it. By replacing random assignment with compatibility science, we help students find homes based on shared living values, daily rhythms, and mutual respect rather than just move-in dates. We bridge the gap between strangers, turning the daunting process of "finding a room" into the meaningful experience of building a micro-community. Our platform verifies every user and prioritizes privacy by design, ensuring that the technology works quietly in the background to create a foundation of trust before you ever unlock the front door.

This is about more than just a place to sleep; it is about reclaiming your home as a sanctuary. We believe that who you live with determines who you become during these critical years, which is why we are partnering with forward-thinking universities to make wellbeing-focused housing the new standard. Whether you are an international student navigating a new culture or a first-year leaving home for the first time, our mission remains the same: to ensure that when you close your books at the end of the day, you are coming home to a place where you can truly recharge, thrive, and be yourself.

Danish Samsudin

Founder and Product Developer

β€œAs a former President of ESN Breda, I've seen how much universities are doing to prioritise their students well-being and mental health. It takes an entire 'behind the scenes' team to create a meaningful impact towards students, especially internationals. But I know I could contribute not just more, but better. After just a few months, I truly believe we now have what it takes to support HEI's with their long term goals and objectives.”

Vitor Mello

Co-Founder and Sales and Marketing

β€œI watched too many brilliant friends lose their spark simply because they were living in toxic environments. I refused to accept that 'bad roommates' are just a part of student life. We built Domu Match to prove that peace of mind isn't luck - it's a standard we can guarantee. I'm incredibly proud that we finally have the tool I wish my friends had years ago.”

Our Journey

2025 August

The Problem Identified

We recognized that nearly half of all students face roommate conflicts that impact well-being and academic performance. Random assignment wasn't working.

2025 September

Research Phase

We analyzed peer-reviewed studies on compatibility, peer effects, and student housing satisfaction from Nature and other leading sources.

2025 October

Algorithm Development

We built a science-driven algorithm that analyzes 40+ lifestyle and academic factors, informed by social compatibility research.

2025 November

First Version Complete

The first version of Domu Match's user interface was put together and its basic functionality features fully built.

2026 January

Debugging and Error Testing

The platform is currently undergoing several changes to debug multiple errors and ensure that during the soft launch, users have a seamless experience. This will allow beta testers to provide more feedback on introducing the right features for the platform.

2026 March

Beta Testing Soft Launch

The platform will be launched to a small group of students in Breda and Tilburg. We will work together to ensure that we have the most important and wanted features that users expect working properly before our full planned launch.

2026 May

Full Launch Planned

We are expected to launch the platform for our first students in May. Students will be able to finally use our science-backed matching algorithm to connect with and find compatible roommates for the first time ever in The Netherlands.

Where We're Headed

Our vision is to make science-backed roommate matching the standard for student housing. Every student deserves compatibility-based matching that considers lifestyle, personality, and academics.

Short-term goals

  • Expand partnerships with universities across the Netherlands
  • Build a community of verified students finding better matches
  • Continuously tune the matching model using outcomes and feedback
  • Launch student-created group chats to form houses faster
  • Introduce richer profiles with bios, interests, and highlights

Long-term vision

  • Partner with housing agencies to offer compatibility-matched rooms
  • Provide in-platform legal contracts students can review and sign
  • Enable roommate agreements to set expectations and accountability
  • Offer individual and group calling for deeper conversations
  • Launch mobile apps so Domu Match is accessible everywhere

The Evidence: Why Compatibility Matters

Research shows that compatibility impacts academic performance, retention, and satisfaction. Here's what the data tells us.

47.9%

Report Roommate Conflict

Nearly half of students face ongoing conflict. Negative peer effects hurt grades, well-being, and retention.

Golding et al., "Negative Roommate Relationships and the Health and Well-being of Undergraduate College Students"

How we solve it:

We analyze 40+ factors - study habits, cleanliness, social needs - to prevent conflict before it starts.

67.6%

Want to Switch Rooms

Bad matches create churn, stress, and extra work for housing teams.

Deng (Empirical Study of Dormitory Conflict)

How we solve it:

Transparent matching helps students make informed choices, reducing churn and improving retention.

70%

Satisfied When Compatible

Prioritizing compatibility drives housing satisfaction and retention.

InsideHigherEd coverage of SDSU survey (2024)

How we solve it:

Our science-backed approach helps students find roommates as compatible as their best friends.

Why Compatibility Matters: Peer Effects, Retention, and Satisfaction

Roommate conflicts have real academic and emotional costs. Compatibility compounds over time: strong matches mean better grades, retention, and satisfaction. Poor matches create stress, churn, and lower performance.

Cao et al., "Heterogeneous peer effects of college roommates on academic performance" (Nature, 2024)

What Drives Us

We're a mission-led organization focused on making student living safer, happier, and more compatible.

  • Safety above all: Every user is verified. Every interaction is secure.
  • Science-driven: Our algorithm is grounded in peer-reviewed compatibility research.
  • Transparent: We show you exactly why you're compatible with each match.
  • Partnership-focused: We work with universities to make better matching the standard.
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