The Nantucket Project's founding circle includes Scott, founder and CEO of Nantucket Nectars and creator the HBO television series The Neistat Brothers,[3] Wendy Schmidt, President of The Schmidt Family Foundation, former Senator Bill Frist, Alicia Mullen and Jennifer and Bob Diamond, the former group chief executive of Barclays.

[5] Notable past speakers have included Jennifer Garner, Neil Young, Tig Notaro, Tony Blair, Marcia Clark, Paul Kagame, Steve Wozniak, Ndaba Mandela, Meredith Whitney, George W. Bush, Hope Solo, David Rubenstein, Valerie Plame, Mellody Hobson, Moby, Laura Dern, John Kerry, Kelly Corrigan, Liz Murray, Peter Diamandis, Andre Leon Talley, Gregg Renfrew, Dean Kamen, Julie Taymor, Paul Giamatti, and Krista Tippett.

The first film released by TNP Labs, "Reclaim Democracy," explores how Lawrence Lessig's MayDay political action committee aims to revolutionize campaign finance.

[14] In addition to its own in-house productions, TNP Labs brings "cutting-edge filmmakers to the island to create short films inspired by presentations at the event.

[17] Jarecki wrote in The Guardian before the event, "it crosses my mind I may be abetting a crime or violating international extradition laws.