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Paypal founder backs Blueseed "visa-free entrepreneurship and tech incubator"

By Bridget Borgobello
December 28, 2011
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Blueseed is a bold new initiative hoping to create a floating "entrepreneurship and technology incubator" off the coast of San Francisco
Blueseed is a bold new initiative hoping to create a floating "entrepreneurship and technology incubator" off the coast of San Francisco
Blueseed promises to allow creative entrepreneurs to legally develop new technologies without US working visas
The Blueseed facility is effectively a large floating office and hopes to reside on international waters, a short ferry ride from the Silicon Valley
Blueseed will feature comfortable living quarters accommodating one to four people
Blueseed will provide living and office space in a modern "Googleplex of the Sea"
The Blueseed facility is effectively a large floating office and hopes to reside on international waters, a short ferry ride from the Silicon Valley
The Blueseed facility is effectively a large floating office and hopes to reside on international waters, a short ferry ride from the Silicon Valley
The Blueseed facility is effectively a large floating office and hopes to reside on international waters, a short ferry ride from the Silicon Valley
Blueseed is a bold new initiative hoping to create a floating "entrepreneurship and technology incubator" off the coast of San Francisco
The Blueseed facility is effectively a large floating office and hopes to reside on international waters, a short ferry ride from the Silicon Valley
Blueseed promises to allow creative entrepreneurs to legally develop new technologies without US working visas
Blueseed will provide living and office space in a modern "Googleplex of the Sea"
Blueseed promises to allow creative entrepreneurs to legally develop new technologies without US working visas
Blueseed will offer ferry services for on-board foreign national clients or US domestic commuters
The Blueseed facility is effectively a large floating office and hopes to reside on international waters, a short ferry ride from the Silicon Valley
Blueseed will feature recreational facilities such as gyms, game rooms, and other entertainment venues
The Blueseed facility hopes to reside on international waters, a short ferry ride from the Silicon Valley
Blueseed will provide living and office space in a modern "Googleplex of the Sea"
Blueseed will offer ferry services for on-board foreign national clients or US domestic commuters
Blueseed will offer ferry services for on-board foreign national clients or US domestic commuters
Blueseed will feature recreational facilities such as gyms, game rooms, and other entertainment venues
View gallery - 21 images

Paypal co-founder and billionaire Peter Thiel, who is currently the Seasteading Institute's "most generous funder" has continued his commitment to creating floating autonomous states by backing Blueseed. The new initiative hopes to create a floating "entrepreneurship and technology incubator" off the coast of San Francisco, allowing the next generation of creative entrepreneurs to legally develop new technologies without US working visas.

"Because of the United States' current immigration and regulatory regime, bold and creative entrepreneurs from around the world aren't given the chance to come to Silicon Valley and develop the technologies that could be creating jobs and propelling the economy forward" claims Blueseed. Thus "Blueseed aims to solve this problem so that Silicon Valley remains the world's center for innovation."

The Blueseed facility is effectively an office complex on a ship - a ship that hopes to permanently reside on international waters, a short ferry ride from the Silicon Valley. The project is planned to launch in 2013 and will provide living and office space in a modern "Googleplex of the Sea", as Blueseed CIO Dan Dascalescu put it to Wired. This visa-free high-tech environment is designed to nurture the development of new jobs, companies and innovative technologies from talented individuals from all over the globe.

Blueseed will feature comfortable living quarters accommodating one to four people

The development aims to provide a cost-effective and modern business environment and is set to include some impressive facilities:

  • Living quarters accommodating one to four people per room
  • Catering and food services at cafes and venues around the ship
  • Recreational facilities such as gyms, game rooms, and other entertainment venues
  • Customizable individual or group offices
  • High-speed Internet access
  • On-board convenience stores and post office
  • 24-hour security and concierge
  • Medical services
  • Ferry services for on-board foreign national clients or US domestic commuters

    • While the idea does sound like Blueseed is opening its doors to anyone in the world, startup hopefuls will still need to enter the US to gain access to the Blueseed ship. In doing so they will need to enter with a B1 (business) or B2 (tourist) visa or a visa waiver (valid up to 90 days). Rent is estimated to start at US$1,200 per month and interested entrepreneurs can register online at Blueseed.

    View gallery - 21 images

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    Bridget Borgobello
    Bridget is an experienced architecture, travel and design writer who has been contributing to New Atlas since 2010. Based between Melbourne and Rome, she and has a keen eye for innovative design, green technology and space saving solutions. Bridget is fluent in Italian and enjoys covering major events in Italy, including the Milan Design Week and Venice Biennale.
    26 comments
    EddieG
    This looks like a scam. Plenty of qualified Americans need jobs.
    Edgar Castelo
    Ameritopia scares Business off? Now there\'s somewhere PETA, the EPA, and other idiot Soviet Liberals cannot harass...
    William H Lanteigne
    With telecommuting, intellectual workers can be located anywhere in the world and for far less than $1,200/month. Costa Rica comes to mind, and probably a dozen other countries with liberal \"guest worker\" rules and access to modern communications technology. Housing people on a ship is expensive, especially if it\'s a purpose-built vessel instead of (for example) a refurbished, decommisioned drilling platform.
    Jon A.
    The cynic in me sees this turning into a floating sweatshop.
    DemonDuck
    Slave ship....
    zevulon
    there are either other plans than stated for this thing ( like it just being a play yaht for them to enjoy without having to defend yourself as being too rich and ostentatious) ...or the paypal founders just don\'t care about money anymore because i\'m assuming they are too clever to get snookered into trying a project like this.
    i\'m betting on 1.
    Jeff Rosati
    Yes .... this plan is much easier than setting up a number of VPN accounts and traveling occasionally ... the trick with \"napkin business plans\" is that the ones written on beer coasters can\'t be taken as seriously ... just say\'n.
    Derek Howe
    I thought the same as you all did, at first. But this guy (Peter Theil) is a smart man...and he\'s a self-made billionaire, so i\'m pretty sure he\'s looked into it.
    BigGoofyGuy
    I can see this as a great get away place or place to live. It looks really cool.
    I agree it would take away jobs from those in America who need it. I still think it is neat. Perhaps if they used Americans to build and maintain it?
    I heard that Dubai\'s islands are sinking. Perhaps they could a few there? Perhaps a refuge or \'life boat\' to those who are on the sinking islands?
    Izlxe
    if only they could handle it correctly this would be awesome looks like they could improve a lot in science like this multidisciplinary groups with great technology i hope they don\'t become slaves
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