This Indian-Origin Entrepreneur Bought Private Island To Build New Nation For Techies

Balaji S Srinivasan, an Indian-origin tech entrepreneur, last year acquired a private island near Singapore to develop a new nation designed for technologists and startup founders. The project is part of his broader vision for a “Network State” — a decentralised, digital-first community that combines online coordination with physical territory.

An Instagram user, Nick Peterson, recently enrolled in the programme, and shared a virtual tour of the island. “This is what it looks like when you bet on curiosity…..and move to a startup society on an abandoned island,” he captioned the video, giving a glimpse into students beginning their day early with gym sessions and attending classes.

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In a post on X, Srinivasan had written while announcing the acquisition last year, “We got an island. That's right. Through the power of Bitcoin, we now have a beautiful island near Singapore where we're building the Network School.”

THE NETWORK SCHOOL

We got an island.

That's right. Through the power of Bitcoin, we now have a beautiful island near Singapore where we're building the Network School. We're starting with a 90-day popup that runs from Sep 23 to Dec 23, right after the Network State Conference.… pic.twitter.com/3EJHC2drkq

According to a TechCrunch report, Srinivasan's concept has received praise from influential figures such as Marc Andreessen and Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin. His ideas have reportedly sparked interest among crypto enthusiasts keen to establish their own “network states.”

Who Is Balaji Srinivasan?

Balaji S Srinivasan is a Stanford-educated American entrepreneur, investor and futurist, widely known for his contributions to cryptocurrency and decentralised technology. Born on May 24, 1980, in Tamil Nadu, he was raised in Plainview, New York. He holds four degrees from Stanford University — a BS, MS and PhD in Electrical Engineering, and an MS in Chemical Engineering, according to an NDTV report.

Srinivasan began his career in the tech industry by co-founding Counsyl, a genetic testing company that was acquired by Myriad Genetics later for $375 million. He then founded 21 Inc., which was rebranded as Earn.com and acquired by Coinbase, where he served as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) from 2018 to 2019.

Srinivasan has also been a general partner at venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, co-founded Teleport (acquired by Topia) and helped launch Coin Centre, a non-profit focused on crypto policy. He was also among the early backers of Bitcoin, Ethereum, OpenSea and Alchemy, the report added.

Srinivasan's Network State Concept

In 2022, Srinivasan published a book titled ‘The Network State: How To Start A New Country.' Here, he outlined a model for building digital communities that could eventually acquire physical territory and seek diplomatic recognition as sovereign entities. According to TechCrunch, these communities would be organised around shared values, use digital tools for governance, and aim to redefine the concept of the modern nation-state.

He believes traditional systems of governance are outdated and don't suit the digital age. According to him, decentralised, community-led models could work more efficiently and fairly.

What Is The Network School?

To bring his theories into practice, Srinivasan launched The Network School in September 2024. Located on the acquired island near Singapore, this three-month residential programme brings together startup founders, engineers and fitness-focused individuals.

According to TechCrunch, the curriculum includes lectures on topics such as digital nomadism. Srinivasan says the programme is aimed at those who “understand that Bitcoin succeeds the Federal Reserve,” “that AI can deliver better opinions than any Delaware magistrate,” and “that democracy can be rejuvenated with cryptography.”

His long-term goal is to expand these Network Schools globally, with new hubs planned for Dubai, Tokyo and Miami.

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