Nishith Desai and Tim Draper Launch Groundbreaking e-Tibet Hackathon to Build the World’s First Digital Nation

Press Release

Bengaluru, 22 March, 2025 – The vision of the World’s First Digital Nation has taken a monumental leap forward as Silicon Valley venture capitalist Tim Draper and visionary international lawyer Nishith Desai have come together to launch the e-Tibet Hackathon (etibet.co). In collaboration with Draper Nation and Nishith Desai Associates, this pioneering initiative brings together the brightest minds in technology, policy, and entrepreneurship.

Throughout history, the idea of statehood and governance has continuously evolved. From the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648 that introduced the concept of sovereign nation-states, to the Bretton Woods Conference in 1944 that redefined global finance, and Satoshi Nakamoto’s 2008 whitepaper that sparked the decentralization revolution, 2025 now marks the dawn of a borderless, digital-first nation.

The e-Tibet Hackathon sets out to build a secure, decentralized national framework powered by innovation. Participants are creating groundbreaking codes that can serve as the backbone of digital nations worldwide, encompassing blockchain-based governance systems, AI-driven legal structures, decentralized identity verification, and smart contract-enabled public services.

Vikram Bharti, Founder of Draper Startup House, highlighted the historic nature of the moment:

“We are witnessing a fundamental reimagination of governance and national identity. Just as Westphalia formalized nation-states and Bretton Woods reshaped financial systems, Draper Nation is setting a new precedent, one that will outlive us all.”

Nishith Desai, widely regarded as a thought leader in technology law, emphasised the legal significance:

“Traditionally, states are bound by geography, requiring physical land and territorial governance. But nations, built on shared values, culture, and identity, can transcend borders. This hackathon proves that digital nations can foster futuristic economic, legal, and social cohesion without physical boundaries.”

This initiative is not just theoretical, it is a launchpad for real-world change. As the movement grows, further partnerships and milestones will be announced.

The World’s First Digital Nation is no longer a dream. It is emerging now.

For more information, visit etibet.co.

For corporate communication, please connect with:

Pintu Babu
E: p.babu@nishithdesai.com
M: +91 9987016527

Disclaimer: e-Tibet – A Cloud-Based Initiative for Peace Through Innovation

e-Tibet is a conceptual project in the cloud, dedicated solely to fostering peace through innovation. We acknowledge that the official designation for the region previously known as Tibet is now Xizang. This initiative does not comment on or challenge China’s sovereignty over Xizang. It is a virtual space that accommodates diverse perspectives, including those of displaced persons and others, in a neutral and non-political manner. We recognize that the concept of a state and a nation can be viewed separately. In this context, we believe that the name “Tibet” is a cultural and historical identity that does not belong to any single entity. The pure purpose of this Hackathon is to experiment with e-Nation concept and to provide shelter to exiled Tibetans and any other person within a secure, cloud-based environment.