Balaji Srinivasan a prominent Indian-American tech visionary is taking an unprecedented step to implement his ambitious “network state.” He has purchased a private island in the vicinity of Singapore and is developing an entirely new digital community. Emerging from the “network state” is the “Network School” which is drawing technologists entrepreneurs and founders from all over the world.
Who is the Indian-origin genius building a new nation on a private island?
Balaji Srinivasan ex-CTO at Coinbase and Counsyl Incs co-founder has an elaborate vision that is rooted in the ideas in his book The Network State. Srinivasan lays out that there are online communities built around shared values. His vision includes creating a digitally-first nation that could eventually establish sovereignty by claiming a physical territory.
What is Network School? Who will benefit or be invited to join this bold experiment?
The Network School which began in September 2024 is the initial experimental model of this idea in a three-month residential program to support personal physical and professional development. The students of the school wake up every day to run to the gym lifting weights going to class on subjects including artificial intelligence technology blockchain and entrepreneurship. In a virtual tour of the island posted on Instagram Nick Peterson described it as an oasis for gym fans and startup founders.

Sharing a post on X(formerly Twitter) Balaji Srinivasan wrote 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. Rent is only $1000/month with roommates or $2000/month solo. And we have plenty of day passes for visitors.

The Network School is dedicated to advancing truth health and wealth; and reimagining democracy for the internet age. Participants are engaged in: Physical Fitness: Regular gym workouts for a balanced development of body and mind Tech Education: Specialized classes on AI blockchain and startup for innovation Building Networks: Practicing the turning vision of a digital society into reality.
What is Balaji Srinivasans educational qualification?
Originally from Tamil Nadu Balaji Srinivasan was born on May 24 1980 in Plainview New York USA. He completed his BS MS and PhD in Electrical Engineering and MS in Chemical Engineering all from Stanford University.

He founded a genetic testing company called Counsyl which sold for $375 million in 2018. He co-founded several startups including 21 Inc. (subsequently Earn.com) Teleport and Coin Centre. He has also served as CTO of Coinbase and as a General Partner of Andreessen Horowitz.

In 2024 he opened the first Network School on an island in Southeast Asia and he is currently planning campuses for Dubai Tokyo and Miami. In a recruitment post Balaji Srinivasan wrote We’re looking for remote workers digital creators personal trainers developers — people who want to earn crypto build things burn calories and have fun.