Singapore, July 2, 2025 — In a groundbreaking move that blends technology, governance, and lifestyle innovation, Indian-American entrepreneur Balaji Srinivasan has acquired a private island near Singapore to lay the foundation of his vision for a “Network State” — a digital-first, decentralised nation for startup founders, technologists, and forward-thinking individuals.
The announcement marks a significant milestone in Mr Srinivasan’s long-standing ambition to revamp traditional nation-state models with internet-native communities bound by shared values, advanced education, and entrepreneurial spirit.
What is the Network State?
Balaji Srinivasan, former CTO of Coinbase, co-founder of Counsyl, and an influential voice in the global crypto and tech community, first laid out his vision in his 2022 book, The Network State: How to Start a New Country. The concept outlines a digital society that begins as an online community, eventually acquires physical territory, and ultimately seeks sovereign recognition as a new-age state.
The Network School, a three-month residential program launched in September 2024, is the first real-world prototype of this idea — combining physical fitness, AI and tech education, and personal development in a structured, immersive setting.
Life on the Island: Where Gym Meets AI
Located on a private island near Singapore, the Network School is described by residents as an “oasis for gym rats and startup founders.” Participants follow a daily routine that blends:
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Physical Fitness: Structured gym sessions promoting strength and discipline
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Cutting-Edge Learning: Classes in artificial intelligence, blockchain, and entrepreneurship
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Innovation Ecosystem: Collaborative projects and networking among global founders
Instagram user Nick Peterson, currently enrolled, described it as “a real-life experiment where we test what creating a new nation would feel like.”
Mr Srinivasan noted on social media platform 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.”
A Vision Rooted in Decentralisation and Digital Sovereignty
The initiative is not just a novel residency program — it is a living experiment in decentralised governance, wealth creation, and civic innovation. The school promotes a “win-and-help-win” culture, seeking what Srinivasan calls “dark talent” — unconventional but brilliant minds who want to help create self-sufficient, tech-forward societies.
According to Srinivasan:
“We’re seeking remote workers, digital nomads, online creators, self-improvers, personal trainers, and technologists… people who want to help our nascent community learn technology, earn cryptocurrency, burn calories, and have fun.”
The long-term goal is to establish Network Schools in other global hubs, including Dubai, Tokyo, and Miami, fostering a federated network of like-minded digital citizens.
Who Is Balaji Srinivasan?
Born on May 24, 1980, to physician parents from Tamil Nadu, India, Balaji Srinivasan grew up in New York and earned multiple degrees from Stanford University, including a PhD in Electrical Engineering and an MS in Chemical Engineering.
He is known for:
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Co-founding Counsyl, acquired by Myriad Genetics for $375 million
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Founding 21 Inc. (later Earn.com), acquired by Coinbase, where he served as CTO (2018–2019)
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Serving as a General Partner at Andreessen Horowitz (2013–2018)
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Investing early in Bitcoin, Ethereum, OpenSea, Alchemy, and other blockchain ventures
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Authoring The Network State, a manifesto for internet-driven governance
Praise and Criticism
While the concept of a digital-first, sovereign community has earned widespread attention and enthusiasm from tech circles, critics have likened the approach to modern-day techno-colonialism and questioned its scalability and ethical implications.
However, Srinivasan remains unapologetically ambitious in his belief that traditional governance models are outdated, and the future lies in digital consensus, decentralised ownership, and sovereign community-building.
What’s Next?
With the island acquired and the Network School in full operation, Srinivasan’s experiment is no longer theoretical. His model is being tested in real-time, with plans to expand the footprint globally. Whether it succeeds or not, this bold venture represents a radical shift in how nations, education, and innovation may intersect in the coming decades.
The world will be watching closely as Balaji Srinivasan’s “Network State” unfolds — one startup founder, Bitcoin transaction, and gym session at a time.
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