Introducing: Nautilus

Patronage program for those who want to build the next Renaissance

I am building Nautilus, a three-month gap program for people 22yo and under, designed to give them the space to dive into their art, scientific research, or startup idea, away from school and work.

For three months, you live and eat for free in our house (in San Francisco) with other participants. We also give you an additional stipend for your equipment.

Applications open today. The next cohort begins on March 1st. Come shape an optimistic and beautiful world:

Nautilus is funded by a community of patrons who want to spark a new Renaissance and support the next generation of creatives. If you are interested in supporting this movement, write to me at zeldapoem[at]gmail[dot]com or directly donate here.

Da Vinci, in his atelier, sketching visions of paintings and flying machines.

It’s going to be intense

Geniuses across ages mastered the dance between exploration and focus.

Einstein, hiking the Swiss Alps, pondering time and space.

They’d dive obsessively into a subject, learning its every nuance, only to emerge and let curiosity pull them elsewhere. By alternating intense focus with open-ended exploration, they connected invisible dots and sparked breakthroughs.

In today’s world, institutions push expertise to the extreme, narrowing the creative field. At Nautilus, we nurture both sides. Our proteges dedicate themselves to their craft—whether in art, science, startup—showing up with commitment week after week. We hold space for the depth of the work by giving resources, a focused environment, and a culture of accountability. But we also encourage “side-quests,” from sci-fi reading marathons to impromptu art performances, inviting the spontaneity of exploration to meet discipline.

The Impressionists, meeting at a café in Paris, discussing philosophy and their next exhibition.

Away from the noise of their day-to-day lives, our proteges get to dive into their craft with fresh eyes and surrounded by extraordinary peers.

Shaping the Renaissance minds of the 21st Century

The essence of Nautilus is shaped by the power of cross-pollination—the creative energy that emerges when fields intersect and disciplines collide. Weekly gatherings bring participants together, a space to share insights, trade skills, and push each other forward.

By putting together brilliant people across fields in the same room, we aspire to create a home for the polymaths of this world.

We celebrate those unafraid to cross boundaries by offering them direct patronage and a space to thrive. Here, artists, scientists, entrepreneurs, and thinkers collaborate, creating a culture of curiosity and courage.

Nautilus’ proteges embody the creative spirit that once defined history’s greatest builders. The goal is to set a new standard for what a Renaissance looks like in the 21st century.

The revival of direct patronage

While capitalism drives innovation, some of humanity’s most transformative ideas defy financial valuation. During the Renaissance, people understood this: patronage flourished because it recognized that certain creative and scientific pursuits required freedom from financial constraints to reach their full potential. Patrons enabled artists and thinkers to explore and experiment. Their goal wasn’t profit but the creation of a more inspiring world, one enriched by curiosity and beauty.

Introducing the Nautilus patrons.

Today’s culture prioritizes utility over pure progress, demanding quick financial returns on investments. This focus is limiting, as not all groundbreaking work can be quantified or even understood, especially in its early stages.

Nautilus revives this spirit of patronage for the modern age. By funding the makers and visionaries of today, patrons join a legacy of patronage that has always driven human progress. And unlike the Renaissance patrons, they have a contemporary advantage: donations to Nautilus are tax-deductible.

Rising above apathy

Imagine a world where teenagers and young adults, rather than sitting in classrooms, are engaged in meaningful work that fuels their passions. A world where youthful energy and creativity are taken seriously, leading society forward rather than being stifled by outdated systems.

In this vision, millions of young minds—our future Einsteins and da Vincis—are empowered to innovate, create, and make our world more beautiful and vibrant than ever.

This is the world Nautilus is fighting for. We stand against a culture that undervalues youth and dismisses their potential, and we reject the apathy that has left so many disconnected. We believe in cultivating a generation that feels inspired and capable of shaping the future—one bold step at a time.

Virginia Woolf, strolling along the river, capturing fragments of thought.

Are you 22yo or under and want to get a three-month break to build something you’re obsessed about? Apply here! I’m excited to hear from you.

If you want to help fund this initiative, you can do so on this donation page. If you want to be part of our community of patrons, reach out to me directly zeldapoem[at]gmail[dot]com.

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Thanks Anna Laurent & Spencer Kier for the edits.