Indian-American tech entrepreneur Balaji Srinivasan has acquired an island near Singapore to pilot his bold vision of a digital-first “Network State” – a decentralised “nation” built around technology, innovation and shared values.
The initiative begins with the Network School, a three-month residential programme launched in September 2024 to nurture founders, coders, creators and fitness enthusiasts, reported the Times of India.
The school combines physical fitness routines with cutting-edge education in artificial intelligence, blockchain and entrepreneurship.
It’s part of Mr Srinivasan’s broader effort to “revitalise democracy for the Internet era” and create a self-governing, globally connected digital society.
Mr Srinivasan announced the acquisition on social media, stating: “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.”
Participants describe the experience as a real-world experiment in nation-building, with daily workouts, workshops and community-building activities.
According to Mr Srinivasan, the school seeks “dark talent” – individuals with unconventional backgrounds but strong potential for leadership, innovation and impact.
“We’re building a win-and-help-win culture,” he said, emphasising values of self-improvement, health and decentralised learning.
Mr Srinivasan is known for his influential roles in Silicon Valley. A Stanford PhD, he co-founded Counsyl, a genetic testing company, and served as CTO of Coinbase, reported the Economic Times.
He was also a general partner at Andreessen Horowitz and an early investor in Bitcoin, Ethereum and other crypto ventures. His 2022 book The Network State outlined a future where digital communities evolve into sovereign entities.
Critics have questioned the feasibility and ethics of private nation-building, with some calling the vision utopian or elitist. However, Mr Srinivasan insists the movement is not about exclusion but about pioneering new models of governance and community in a hyperconnected world.
The Network School is intended as the first of many.
Mr Srinivasan has announced future locations in cities like Dubai, Tokyo and Miami, each forming part of a global network of digitally united communities with ambitions of physical presence and international legitimacy.
