In a tale that would make any business enthusiast raise an eyebrow or two, it appears that the late Jeffrey Epstein had more influence in the world of venture capital than many would want to admit. A recent article from Forbes has taken a deep dive into how Epstein, notorious for his past, played a critical role in helping his publicist Masha Bucher climb the ranks to become a big-time venture capitalist. Buckle up, because this story involves high-profile encounters, questionable connections, and a whirlwind of funds that many in the business world are bound to find intriguing.
The saga began in an ornate room nestled in Epstein’s Upper East Side mansion, where a startup founder found himself waiting for the infamous Epstein while staring at a rather eye-catching painting of former President Bill Clinton adorned in a blue dress. It wasn’t until the founder Googled Epstein’s name that he realized he was stepping into a web of controversy. Epstein, with an undeniable flair for self-promotion, brushed aside questions about his untarnished “business” career, and instead, tried his hand at impressing guests with his connections to big names like Bill Gates and the founders of Google. However, the atmosphere shifted dramatically when Epstein’s demeanor turned creepy; as two young women entered the room, he cheerfully asked the founder if he could guess which one was older. This interaction left the founder feeling thoroughly revolted and ready to exit stage left.
Masha Bucher, on the other hand, entered the spotlight around the same time as Epstein’s legal troubles began to surface in 2008. Formerly a publicist and active in Russian politics, Bucher turned to venture capital with Epstein’s behind-the-scenes support and coaching, claiming he helped her navigate the male-dominated world of investing. Now 36, Bucher has secured funding for 22 lucrative startups, including ventures connected to tech giants like Elon Musk’s X.AI. However, the road hasn’t been easy, as her relationship with Epstein has raised eyebrows, particularly in light of his dark past.
The email trails uncovered from 2017 to 2019 hint at a complicated partnership, with Epstein showering Bucher with gifts, arranging hotel stays, and even engaging in unsettling exchanges about personal photos. While Bucher insists that she never received direct payments or engaged in any illegal activity, her ongoing association with Epstein has undoubtedly cast a shadow on her fledgling venture capital career. Critics have raised concerns about her motivations and integrity, especially considering her ties to Russian oligarchs, which she has since tried to distance herself from following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Interestingly, Bucher didn’t shy away from leveraging her relationship with Epstein to boost her profile in the venture capital community. Emails indicate she worked hard to rehabilitate Epstein’s image and connect him with startup founders, sometimes without revealing his identity beforehand. Many founders who met Epstein through Bucher left feeling unsettled, reflecting the uncomfortable overlap between her ambitions and the darkness surrounding Epstein. Ironically, despite his colorful correspondence with tech moguls, Epstein rarely actually invested in tech—a curious twist given his connections.
Ultimately, the fallout from this troubling association continues to unfold. Masha Bucher is now recognized as a prominent name in California’s defense startup landscape, but the questions linger: How deeply will her past partnerships affect her future? The complex web of connections between Uber competitors, tech startups, and a notorious figure like Epstein raises eyebrows and calls for scrutiny. As Bucher advances, the venture capital landscape may want to take notes, because this saga is proof that in business, not everything shines as bright as it seems—even if it comes wrapped in a bow of impressive numbers and glossy reports.
