I have a property developer friend who had the idea to create a sort of luxury village in Southern France where successful people from the arts / entrepreneurs etc could meet. People that had achieved financial independence and weren't "part of the system". Sort of like a safe enclave to exchange ideas. He did well + things were progressing, but during the financial crisis in 2007 banks pulled out (€50m in loans) of the deal and wiped him out.

I honestly wonder how many people would be interested in living like this.

I think that there are a good number of people that would be interested, plus some companies.

I can imagine a safe place for innovation and experimentation away from dumb regulations and government interference.

Maybe a good model is trough private capital much like a startup.

How many companies and wealthy individuals would not like to have a safe heaven for work and living where you have plenty of space and intact nature?

If Silicon Valley is at peril with Trump (according to some opinions), why not build a Silicon Island.

I would be interested.