Indian-origin tech entrepreneur Balaji Srinivasan has purchased a private island near Singapore to develop a “Network State,” which he describes as a decentralized, digital-first society for tech innovators, creators, and founders.
Srinivasan, formerly Coinbase’s CTO and co-founder of several Silicon Valley startups, envisions turning online communities with shared values into globally recognized nations.
Balaji Srinivasan Buys Island Near Singapore to Build Decentralized ‘Network State’ for Tech Creators
What was once a conceptual idea is now being realized physically on a private island with actual participants, drawing considerable attention, according to TechCrunch.
The island hosts “The Network School,” a three-month immersive program combining entrepreneurship, emerging technologies, and personal growth.
Selected participants begin their day with physical training and continue with workshops focused on artificial intelligence, blockchain, and startup development.
Srinivasan shared on X: “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.”
His larger ambition is to create a crowd-funded, borderless nation catering to digital nomads and innovators — a vision detailed in his 2022 book The Network State.
He outlines a process where online communities form, claim land, and work toward gaining recognition as sovereign entities.
Nick Peterson, a content creator and program participant, posted a virtual tour of the island and called it “an oasis for gym rats and startup founders.”
Peterson added that the experience feels like “testing what creating a new nation would feel like.”
The Network School Champions ‘Win-and-Help-Win’ Communities for a New Digital Governance Model
The Network School aims to promote “win-and-help-win” communities centered on values of truth, health, and wealth, reflecting Srinivasan’s broader philosophy of reimagining governance for the digital era.
Srinivasan was born in New York to Tamil-origin physician parents and earned multiple degrees in Electrical and Chemical Engineering from Stanford University.
Over two decades, he has co-founded and invested in major tech ventures, including Counsyl, Earn.com, Teleport, and early-stage bets on Bitcoin, Ethereum, OpenSea, and Alchemy.
Known for his provocative and unconventional thinking in Silicon Valley, Srinivasan frequently challenges traditional institutions and champions decentralization.
Some critics label his Network State idea as techno-utopian or a form of digital colonialism, though Srinivasan continues to promote his vision undeterred.
In 2024, he officially launched the first Network School on the Southeast Asian island.
Additional campuses are planned for cities like Dubai, Tokyo, and Miami.
In a recruitment post, he said, “We’re looking for remote workers, digital creators, personal trainers, developers — people who want to earn crypto, build things, burn calories, and have fun.”
