An Ocean Vessel Brings Innovation–And Entrepreneurs Without A Visa–To Silicon Valley

The Blueseed Project aims to resolve a talent and innovation gap in Silicon Valley, created by the absence of ideas and innovations from international entrepreneurs without a visa. To resolve this challenge, Blueseed is creating an entrepreneurship and technology incubator aboard an ocean vessel in international waters thus freeing entrepreneurs from the need for a visa.

The vessel facilities will be fully outfitted with the highest technological capabilities needed by tech entrepreneurs, and will drop anchor a short ferry ride (12 miles off-coast) from Silicon Valley, affording international entrepreneurs access to the Bay Area. The project promises to offer a ‘customized environment centered around smart, proven, cost-effective legal best practices, and modern living and work accommodations.’

The vessel is meant to be a temporary solution, until the entrepreneurs’ ventures receive sufficient funding (and visas) to live and work in the US (Bay Area or otherwise). Until then, the project will raise a number of taxation and immigration questions — depending on the business growth of the entrepreneurs it houses. To resolve this, it counts expert maritime, political and immigration law experts among its advisors. Providing additional confidence to potential investors and clients is the fact that it is backed by venture capitalist and Paypal founder Peter Thiel.

The idea behind the vessel is very much in line with the current conversation around whether the US is lagging in deep innovation efforts, and if deep innovation (vs. smaller ideas) may ultimately spur the employment opportunities we desire. While the vessel will take another year to launch, we were anxious to learn about the types of ventures that Blueseed will host. A quick review of Blueseed’s FAQs finds that it is open to all, with no selection criteria in place — though they must be able to pay ‘rent’ to occupy the living and office space. But perhaps most interestingly, many US companies are currently interested in occupying the vessel. According to Blueseed;

A significant number of the startups who have signed up so far are American, with many being motivated by the prospect of working in a unique environment where, side by side with hundreds of other startup founders from all over the world.

We hope Bluessed lives up to its promise as a true international vessel, and not simply a unique co-working space.

Blueseed