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Imagine living on a serene, man-made floating city where you can live and work with other like-minded individuals from all over the globe, without direct influence from any government entity. If Paypal co-founder Peter Thiel has his way, that wild idea may be just a few years away.
The wealthy venture capitalist is putting his money behind Blueseed, a company that promises to create an offshore luxury barge where young entrepreneurs can work, live, and socialize, all without the constraints of a modern city — or pesky immigration laws.
The Blueseed vessel will be more of a floating city than an actual ship, and will come complete with work and living spaces, outdoor areas, and sports and leisure activities. The idea is that startups and solo entrepreneurs will leave their terrestrial lives almost completely, and call the Blueseed ship their primary home.
Entrepreneurs and startups must apply to be considered for a spot on Blueseed. If they are approved, they will pay roughly $1,600 per month to live and work on the massive barge. This price may be split between a rental payment and equity in fledgling companies with bright futures, depending on the situation.
Its close proximity to Silicon Valley — the ship will be just a half hour from the tech mecca — will make Blueseed a hot spot for visionaries not just from the U.S., but from all over the world. The ship itself will not technically be considered part of any country, so residents won't need to apply for any type of visa in order to work and live on the vessel. According to Blueseed, over 675 individuals from over 50 countries have already expressed interest in coming aboard.
Foreign residents who fancy a trip to the mainland can obtain a U.S. business visa and spend as many as 180 days per year in the states without applying for citizenship. The company notes that these visas are much easier to obtain than traditional work visas, and because the home vessel is just a few miles from the coast, returning to the visa-free oasis is a rather short trip.
The logistics of providing food and other basic necessities might seem like a nightmare, but the company notes that these issues have already been solved by modern cruise ships. Not to mention that being so close to shore means any urgent supply needs can be fulfilled with a very quick turnaround.
If the project sounds absolutely crazy, well, it kind of is. But it's also unlike anything ever attempted before, and the idea of a floating business hub might just be wild enough for the world to take notice. Blueseed plans to launch its mini-city towards the end of 2013. If all goes according to plan, who knows, Blueseed may spark a whole new category of business real estate among the waves.
Paypal co-founder to build a city on the sea - Yahoo! Real Estate
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