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Indian-American entrepreneur buys island to build new nation for tech, first look revealed

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Instagram user Nick Peterson has shared a glimpse of a private island where Indian-American entrepreneur Balaji Srinivasan plans to found a future tech nation. Peterson is currently attending Srinivasan’s Network School , a three-month, in-person program designed for aspiring startup founders and fitness enthusiasts.


Who is Balaji Srinivasan?


Balaji Srinivasan is an Indian-origin entrepreneur and investor, and has played key roles in several major tech ventures. He co-founded Counsyl, then went on to serve as the chief technology officer at Coinbase, and was a general partner at the venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz.


Srinivasan was born to physician parents who migrated from Tamil Nadu to the United States. He earned his BS, MS, and PhD in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University.

Srinivasan’s vision for a new country

Balaji Srinivasan envisions a new kind of nation called a “Network State”- a digital-first, decentralized, and globally dispersed community that eventually seeks recognition in the physical world.

A kind of state with like-minded individuals united by shared aspirations and a set of values, often centered around technology, cryptocurrency, individual freedom, and innovation. Its mission is to “revitalize democracy for the internet era” and promote truth, health, and prosperity by helping participants grow personally, physically, and professionally.

In this instance, the community's core values include longevity, decentralization, and education.


What is the school about?

Launched in September 2024 by The Network State author Srinivasan, the Network School is a three-month immersive educational program. It acts as a testing ground for his larger ambition, the creation of “network states,” decentralized, digital-first communities that originate online and ultimately aim to establish physical territory and self-governance.


Where is the Island located?

In August 2024, Balaji Srinivasan revealed in a Substack post that he had acquired an island and was launching a new school near Singapore aimed at nurturing what he called the “dark talent of the world.”

“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,” said the Indian-origin entrepreneur.

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