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Silicon Valley Icon Tim Draper and Nishith Desai Associates to Launch e-Tibet Hackathon: A Digital Innovation Initiative for the Tibetan Diaspora

Press Release

Mumbai, February 26, 2025 – Nishith Desai Associates (NDA), a research and strategy-driven international law firm, is proud to announce its partnership with Silicon Valley venture capital leader Tim Draper and Draper Nation to launch the e-Tibet Hackathon. This initiative aims to empower the Tibetan diaspora through digital innovation and self-determination, fostering peaceful coexistence and global collaboration. The hackathon will take place on March 22-23, 2025, in Bangalore, India. Please visit etibet.co for more information.

Empowering the Tibetan Diaspora Through Digital Innovation

The e-Tibet Hackathon is a pioneering effort to build a digital platform for the global Tibetan diaspora, allowing individuals to establish e-citizenship, develop decentralized governance systems, access digital financial tools, and preserve their rich cultural heritage. By leveraging cutting-edge technology, this initiative seeks to provide Tibetans with digital identities, enhance global connectivity, and create a scalable model for displaced communities worldwide.

With over 80% of government services now deliverable digitally, the e-Tibet Hackathon envisions a self-sustaining digital nation where Tibetans can access essential services such as education, healthcare, governance, and economic infrastructure from anywhere in the world. By uniting technology experts, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and Tibetan leaders, this event will lay the foundation for the future of digital self-determination.

Key Objectives of the e-Tibet Hackathon

  • Develop Proof of Concepts: Participants will create innovative prototypes aligned with the hackathon’s five key tracks.

  • Foster Collaboration: Bringing together a diverse group of experts to work on building a unified digital future for Tibetans.

  • Raise Awareness: Promoting the mission of e-Tibet and the role of technology in empowering marginalized communities.

  • Preserve Culture and Identity: Using AI and digital tools to safeguard Tibetan traditions and history.

  • Advocate for Digital Self-Determination: Establishing a model for other displaced communities seeking technological empowerment.

The Five Hackathon Tracks

Participants will innovate across five key areas that will define the future of e-Tibet:

  • e-Citizenship: Develop digital identities, passports, and a reputation system for the Tibetan diaspora.

  • Governance: Create decentralized governance tools, including e-voting platforms and digital administration systems.

  • Citizen Benefits: Build platforms for healthcare, education, insurance, employment, and pensions to support the diaspora.

  • Central Bank: Design financial tools, including digital currencies, taxation frameworks, and sovereign wealth management solutions.

  • Cultural Preservation: Utilize AI and digital platforms to document, archive, and promote Tibetan history, language, and traditions.

A Private Initiative with a Global Impact

The e-Tibet Hackathon is a private initiative, unaffiliated with any government. It is organized in collaboration with Draper Nation, a decentralized governance initiative, pioneering digital citizenship and governance models for the future.

This humanitarian initiative, if successful, has the potential to serve as a model for supporting displaced communities affected by conflicts, climate change, and other crises, offering a framework for digital self-determination and global connectivity.

Join the Movement!

Be part of this historic initiative to build a digital Tibet and empower a global community. Sign up today at etibet.co and contribute to the future of digital self-determination.

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.

About Timothy Draper

Timothy Cook Draper is an American venture capital investor, and founder of Draper Fisher Jurvetson, Draper University, Draper Venture Network, and Draper Associates. Since 2019, he is a partner in Draper Goren Holm. His most prominent investments include Baidu, Hotmail, Skype, Tesla, SpaceX, AngelList, SolarCity, Ring, Twitter, DocuSign, Coinbase, Robinhood, Ancestry.com, Twitch, Cruise Automation, PrettyLitter and Focus Media.

He is a supporter and global thoughtleader for entrepreneurs everywhere, and is a leading spokesperson for Bitcoin, Blockchain, ICOs and cryptocurrencies, having won the Bitcoin US Marshall’s auction in 2014.

About Nishith Desai Associates and its Role

This partnership reflects Nishith Desai Associates' commitment to the concept of transitioning from 'Democracy to Netocracy' as articulated by founder Dr. Desai in his 2014 discourse. Click here to read more. The firm envisions a future where technology empowers individuals, enhances accountability, and reshapes governance.

Nishith Desai Associates (NDA) is a research and strategy-driven international law firm, renowned as one of Asia’s most innovative legal firms. With a strong presence in Mumbai, Palo Alto (Silicon Valley), Bangalore, Singapore, New Delhi, Gift City, Munich, and New York, NDA is dedicated to thought leadership and pioneering legal solutions. Founder Dr. Nishith Desai, regarded as the father of international tax specialization in India, has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Amity University.

For more information, visit www.nishithdesai.com.

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