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Indian American entrepreneur Balaji Srinivasan, co-founder of genetic testing firm Counsyl and former CTO of Coinbase, has taken a bold step toward building a new kind of nation—by purchasing a private island near Singapore. His vision is a decentralized, digital first “Network State” designed for startup founders, technologists and fitness enthusiasts, revitalizing democracy for the internet era.
Balaji Srinivasan was raised in Long Island after being born in New York to Tamil-origin physician parents Dr Bhavani Srinivasan and Dr Subramaniam Srinivasan. His parents have been hugely successful and very well known in the Indian community in US.
Balaji Srinivasan is an American businessman graduated from Stanford University with a Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, and Doctorate in Electrical Engineering and a Master of Science in Chemical Engineering.
A first view at this emerging mini society has emerged courtesy of Instagram applyr Nick Peterson, a participant in Srinivasan’s ongoing Network School — a three month, in person residency hosted on the island. Peterson described it as “an oasis for gym rats and startup founders,” and the video tour offers a glimpse into a day structured around rigorous physical workouts, AI and blockchain classes, and startup incubation sessions.
Srinivasan first introduced the Network State concept in his 2022 book The Network State: How to Start a New Counattempt. The idea envisions digital communities formed around shared values—technology, decentralization, crypto—that eventually acquire real-world land and push for global recognition.
This island acquisition near Singapore marks a tangible step toward that ambition—providing a real-world prototype where his theories can be tested.
Launched in Malaysia in 2024, The Network School hosts cohorts of technologists, crypto enthusiasts, digital content creators, personal trainers, and remote workers.
Looking ahead, Srinivasan is reportedly planning additional Network School campapplys in Dubai, Tokyo, and Miami.
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