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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Astellix (talk | contribs) at 19:43, 10 May 2012 (Added Legality section). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Blueseed is a Sunnyvale, California-based startup company[1] and a seasteading project to create a startup community located on a vessel moored in international waters near the coast of Silicon Valley in the United States. The promoters believe that the location would enable non-U.S. startup entrepreneurs to work on their ventures without the need for a US work visa, while living in proximity to Silicon Valley and using relatively easier to obtain business and tourism visas[2] to travel to the mainland. After the conclusion of their incubation on the vessel, successful startups may relocate to Silicon Valley and employ local workforce. Following the commitment of funding from venture capitalist Peter Thiel[3], who also supports The Seasteading Institute, the project received wide media coverage.

History

Blueseed was co-founded by Max Marty and Dario Mutabdzija, who had worked together at The Seasteading Institute as Directors of Business Strategy and Legal Strategy, respectively.[4] The stated motivations of the project include providing an entrepreneurial alternative to the Startup Visa Act, which has not seen any progress in Congress[5], and creating "a vibrant workplace for innovative industries to bloom, unencumbered by onerous regulations on new technology-sector businesses"[6]. On November 30, 2011, venture capitalist Peter Thiel offered to lead Blueseed's seed financing round.[3] The number of startups that expressed interest in locating on Blueseed grew from 31 on November 14, 2011[7], to 60 a month later[8], to over 100 by February 2012[9], 133 on May 7[10], and 194 as of May 9[11].

Blueseed estimates a launch timeframe of Q3 2013.[12]

Logistics

The project plans to either convert a cruise ship or remodel a barge[1] in order to provide a living accommodations, coworking space, and entertainment facilities for approximately 1,000 customers[13] paying an average of USD 1500 in monthly rent[7] (ranging between $1200 and $3000, and combined with a small equity stake[14]). The vessel would be moored 12 nautical miles from the coast of California, near the port of Half Moon Bay[8], and would have a crew of 200-300[14]. The location is situated outside the territorial waters of the United States of America, thus not being subject to its immigration laws. Internet connectivity would be provided via submarine communications cable, a laser link, point-to-point microwave link, or a mesh network of wireless routers placed on buoys.[15]

Legality

The Blueseed ship will be moored in the contiguous zone outside the territorial waters of the United States, which according to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, allows it to be present as long as it does not engage in the exploitation of natural resources, and exhibits no intent of infringing on the customs, fiscal, immigration or sanitary laws and regulations of the United States.[16]

Following the precedent set by the cruise shipping industry, the Blueseed ship will fly the flag of an open registry country such as Marshall Islands or The Bahamas[17], which will determine the de jure laws that apply onboard.

In terms of taxation, Blueseed will not impose tax[18]; however, individuals are responsible for paying their financial dues according to their country of residence. Corporate tax will be paid by startups located on board based on the country of incorporation.

Businesses that are generally illegal in the United States, such as gambling or prostitution, will be forbidden on the ship.[19]

References

  1. ^ a b Donald, Brooke (Dec 19, 2011). "CA startup sees entrepreneur-ship as visa solution". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 12 March 2012. Retrieved 12 March 2012.
  2. ^ "B1/B2 and H-1B visa issuance graphs". Bureau of Consular Affairs. Retrieved 12 March 2012.
  3. ^ a b McCullagh, Declan (2011-11-30). "Peter Thiel floats cash to floating tech incubator". CNET. Retrieved 2012-02-26.
  4. ^ Friedman, Patri (31 July 2011). "The Seasteading Institute – July 2011 Newsletter". The Seasteading Institute. Archived from the original on 12 March 2012. Retrieved 12 March 2012.
  5. ^ Anderson, Greg (3 November 2011). "Blueseed Finds International Waters The Answer To US Visa Problems". Arctc Startup. Retrieved 12 March 2012. [...]other groups have come together to motivate congress to allow a "Startup Visa" that would enable entrepreneurs to legally live and start their own businesses in the United States. Unfortunately, since March 2011 when the Startup Visa Act was pushed into Congress, there has been no real progress on the proposed legislation.
  6. ^ Fisher, Anthony L. (January 9, 2012). "Blueseed: The Googleplex of the Sea". Reason (magazine). Retrieved 12 March 2012.
  7. ^ a b Ramsinghani, Mahendra (14 November 2011). "To Skirt Visa Issue, Blueseed Wants To Build Immigrant Startups On International Waters". Huffington Post. Retrieved 12 March 2012. For now, Blueseed has attracted 31 start-ups with varying degrees of interest in this idea.
  8. ^ a b Chatterjee, Rituparna (Dec 15, 2011). "US immigration: Silicon Valley start-up Blueseed vows freedom from visa to entrepreneurs". The Economic Times of India. Retrieved 12 March 2012.
  9. ^ Wiggin, Teke (Feb 7th 2012). "Blueseed: 'Startup Incubator' Could Sail Past Immigration Law". AOL Real Estate. Retrieved 12 March 2012. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  10. ^ Taylor, Chris. "Pirates Off Silicon Valley! 133 Startups to Live on This Rogue Boat [PICS]". Mashable. Retrieved 10 May 2012.
  11. ^ "Blueseed Survey for Startups - Public Summary Report". Blueseed. Archived from the original on 10 May 2012. Retrieved 10 May 2012.
  12. ^ Apostolou, Natalie (30th November 2011). "PayPal founder helps steer super geek cruiser". The Register. Archived from the original on 12 March 2012. Retrieved 12 March 2012. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  13. ^ Posner, Michael (Feb. 24, 2012). "Floating city conceived as high-tech incubator". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 12 March 2012. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  14. ^ a b Price, Andrew. "Blueseed: A Floating Startup Incubator Off The California Coast". Fast Company (magazine). Archived from the original on 12 March 2012. Retrieved 12 March 2012.
  15. ^ Garling, Caleb (December 13, 2011). "Startup Ducks Immigration Law With 'Googleplex of the Sea'". Wired (magazine). Archived from the original on December 13, 2011. Retrieved 12 March 2012.
  16. ^ "TERRITORIAL SEA AND CONTIGUOUS ZONE". United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. United Nations. Retrieved 10 May 2012.
  17. ^ Riley, Sheila (2012-03-30). "Blueseed Is Floating Startup Incubator For Foreigners". Investor's Business Daily. Retrieved 10 May 2012.
  18. ^ "What taxes will I have to pay?". Blueseed FAQ. Retrieved 2012-May-10. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  19. ^ Lee, Timothy (2011-Nov-28). "Startup hopes to hack the immigration system with a floating incubator". {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
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