I disagree re: indentured servitude. This reminds me of Renaissance sponsorship of artists and musicians, such as Leonardo DaVinci. Why not take something that was proven to work and update it for the modern world?
I'd also look at something like Intellectual Ventures, except on a longer term, where smart people are paid to attend the sessions to generate as many new, useful ideas as possible.
I'd also look at something like Intellectual Ventures, except on a longer term, where smart people are paid to attend the sessions to generate as many new, useful ideas as possible.