The genius of the Internet is its ability to connect people and businesses from almost anywhere in the world so long as they can access a wired or wireless network. But despite this enormous reach and connectivity, composer and former conductor of the Minnesota Philharmonic Orchestra James Touchi-Peters, 48,  says he found nothing online "anywhere close to anything that I liked or was looking for."

Touchi-Peters was looking for people "with a certain type of experience." He claims that by the time he reached middle age he knew that he wasn't like "the average person." His daily life experiences were different than most other people's. "I knew there were other people like me because I met them all the time, but there wasn't anyplace online to talk to them." His research found that one out of every 200 people in the world, or 0.5%, have assets over $1 million. In the U.S., the figure was one out of 50, or 2%.

So Touchi-Peters decided to create his own website in order to service the 0.5% of global millionaires. His effort, called Netropolitan.com, debuts this week. In order to become a member, a user must pay up. There are one-time initiation costs of $6,000 followed by a $3,000 annual fee. Touchi-Peters says the large price tag ensures that membership will remain exclusive. The site will have no ads and no access from the public Internet. The site isn't even indexed by search engines, says Touchi-Peters. "It's as secure as technology can make it... everything is encrypted and we don't sell your data; we don't give it away," he claims.

But why would people drop $9,000 to join Netropolitan.com? Why not just join a country club to network with the wealthy?

"A lot of wealthy individuals in smaller cities worldwide don't have local social outlets," says Touchi-Peters and others will want "to talk with people from anywhere in the world."

The site acts like a Facebook or Twitter for the wealthy. Users will be able to form chat groups around mutual interests and have access to status updates and posts of all users. The website will be moderated to make sure no one posts anything offensive or abusive and there will be a 24-hour member service associate to help with any technical issues.

Touchi-Peters claims that there is already a small group of elite-members who have paid to join the site.