Founded by Balaji Srinivasan, former CTO of Coinbase and former partner at Andreessen Horowitz, Network School is shifting its international expansion plans from Malaysia to Kazakhstan after the local authorities revoked the license of the project’s campus in Malaysia.
On July 21, Balaji Srinivasan announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Kazakh government. The document sets out the legal framework for the establishment of a new Network School campus in the country. According to the memorandum, it envisages accelerated visa procedures for foreign specialists and entrepreneurs, simplification of the relocation of startups and individuals to the country, attraction of global talent, as well as cooperation in the field of education, artificial intelligence, startups, scientific research and international technology events.
Srinivasan called Kazakhstan “a haven for global techno-optimism.”
The decision came after the Forest City campus in the Malaysian state of Johor faced serious regulatory problems. Local authorities have revoked the business license of NSO Malaysia Sdn Bhd, the company that runs the campus, effective July 22. The company is also facing immigration investigations.
Balaji Srinivasan said the charges were mainly related to the licensing of signage and additional office space, and had previously suspended a planned $122 million expansion to Malaysia due to legal uncertainty.
While the Network School website currently lists community activities in Kazakhstan, no opening date for the new campus has been announced. However, Kazakhstan has been seen as a viable alternative for the project, as it has developed a blockchain, digital payments and technology ecosystem in recent years through digital projects such as Alatau City.
