Nicole Junkermann

Nicole Junkermann#

Summary

Nicole Junkermann is a German-born venture capitalist and entrepreneur who founded NJF Holdings, an international investment firm focused on deep tech, healthcare, and biotech. Born in 1975 in Düsseldorf, she co-founded Infront Sports & Media in 2002, which was sold to private equity firm Bridgepoint in 2011 for approximately €650 million. The archive documents 7,994 emails exchanged with Jeffrey Epstein between 2009 and 2019, revealing an extensive personal and professional relationship that included business introductions, investment collaboration, and frequent communication spanning a decade. Junkermann used her connection with Epstein to secure professional introductions to high-profile figures including former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, billionaire investor Leon Black, and banker Ariane de Rothschild, while Epstein facilitated a recommendation letter from Summers for the World Economic Forum's Young Global Leaders program in 2014.

Public reporting following the 2025 release of the Epstein files identified Junkermann as one of the individuals with extensive email correspondence with Epstein, including messages where she addressed him as "baby" and discussed personal matters. She served as a board member of Carbyne (formerly Reporty), an Israeli emergency services technology company, alongside former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, with Epstein investing approximately $1.5 million in the venture. Junkermann is currently a visiting professor at Lancaster University and has held advisory positions in UK healthcare technology initiatives.

Background

Nicole Junkermann was born on April 27, 1975, in Düsseldorf, Germany, the daughter of businessman Heinz Junkermann. Her father, born in 1928 in Frankfurt, built a diversified business empire spanning private banking, real estate, and jewelry, and passed away in 2011. Junkermann worked in sports marketing and co-founded Infront Sports & Media in 2002 with former Adidas CEO Robert Louis-Dreyfus, acquiring it from Leo Kirch's media empire. As Vice Chairman, she helped build Infront into a leading sports media rights business with significant contracts in football and winter sports.

In 2007, Junkermann founded United in Sports, a private equity fund focused on sports and media investments that raised approximately €250 million. Following the 2011 sale of Infront to Bridgepoint for approximately €650 million, she established NJF Holdings in 2012 as the parent company for her venture capital activities. Through NJF Capital, she has invested in companies including SpaceX, Dollar Shave Club (acquired by Unilever), RelateIQ (acquired by Salesforce), Revolut, and Owkin. She holds board positions in multiple technology companies and serves as a trustee for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.

In 2025, following the release of Department of Justice documents, multiple news outlets reported on Junkermann's extensive email correspondence with Epstein, with The Telegraph noting she "exchanged hundreds of emails with the convicted criminal she at times referred to as 'baby'" and used the relationship to further her career through introductions to influential figures.

Correspondence with Epstein

The archive documents continuous correspondence between Junkermann and Epstein from 2009 through early 2019. During the 2009-2011 period, emails show Junkermann signing messages as "Executive Partner, United in Sports" and maintaining regular contact, with Epstein encouraging her to "come visit" and suggesting Art Basel in November 2009. In November 2010, when her father became severely ill with paralysis and cognitive decline, Epstein offered to travel to support her, writing "oh shit. feel free to call. or if you need me to come, i; can be there in 3 hrs".

The tone of their correspondence was informal and intimate. Junkermann addressed Epstein as "baby" in multiple emails, asking "Are you awake baby?" in December 2009 and "How are you baby?" in May 2010. In April 2010, she wrote "my goal is to finally unterstand you...i was thinking to do a master in psychology". Years later, in June 2018, when Epstein wrote "i am alwasy there for you. break out of your own jail", Junkermann responded "If you have a baby of course ☺... Will but on my own pace...".

In February 2013, Epstein offered Junkermann employment, writing "i would like you to help orgainze staff ,houses, meetings , presentations. follow up. etc" and suggesting "you exist in europe, not really live there, I will give you an apt in ny". Junkermann sat in on "Quant meetings" with Michael Wolff on February 20-21, 2013, organized by Todd Meister.

Epstein facilitated significant professional advancement for Junkermann. In July 2014, he asked Larry Summers to write a recommendation letter for Junkermann's application to the World Economic Forum's Young Global Leaders program. Summers initially asked "She is very hot" and "Is she smart? Attractive? To what virtues am Ito attest?", to which Epstein replied "first at forstman and then in gabon, good memory, especially given the fact that you meet so many tall Jewish successful blondes". Summers ultimately wrote that Junkermann was "an extraordinary woman with a great ability to captivate inspire and lead others" and "a force of nature", though he noted the recommendation "Sounds like her not me" when reviewing Epstein's initial draft. The letter was submitted to Professor Klaus Schwab's office at the World Economic Forum in late July 2014.

Business collaboration intensified around the Carbyne investment. In March 2019, Epstein and Junkermann were coordinating with Robert Kuhn on a conference call to discuss what appears to be a Chinese government-related investment opportunity. When Junkermann failed to provide documents Epstein had promised to Chinese government contacts, he wrote: "my chinese govt contacts have sent me a note inessence that says . i have promised them documents repeatedly valuations etc. numbers etc. and it is highly unusual to have me not keep my word, they are disappointed in the situation . wow". Junkermann apologized, stating "I am sorry but from the beginning I told you that I am relying on third party information and I told the same to Kuhn not my own so I am still waiting but pls I do not want to have any frictions btw us pls leave it as it is".

In March 2019, emails show discussions about travel coordination, with Epstein asking "are you coimng/" to what appears to be a planned gathering. Junkermann responded that her daughter Vita had received a vaccine and developed a fever, preventing her attendance. In March 2019, Epstein mentioned potential travel to Rome, writing "bannon and the new govt guys in italy woud like me to come visit. rome. in mid late june", and Junkermann offered assistance.

The correspondence included discussions of business networking. In January 2018, Junkermann wrote "I am hosting a lunch on the west coast in March for David Cameron would you like to join or anyone who I should invite?". Though Epstein offered to make introductions, Junkermann declined: "I will tell you, no do not ask do not waste tour time I only ask you for important things". Public reporting confirmed that Epstein was invited to this lunch, though former Prime Minister Cameron was not aware of the invitation and Epstein did not attend.

Connections

Junkermann's most frequent co-correspondent in the archive was Ehud Barak, with whom she shared 174 emails. Their connection centered on Carbyne (formerly Reporty), an Israeli emergency services technology company where both served as board members. In June 2018, Barak sent Junkermann detailed documentation about Carbyne's Series B funding round, explaining the company's valuation had increased approximately four times from their initial investment and discussing warrant exercise deadlines. He wrote "I propose we will discuss the issue together with JE", referring to Jeffrey Epstein. Epstein actively brokered coordination between Barak and Junkermann, forwarding financial documents about warrant exercises in March 2019.

Larry Summers wrote the Young Global Leaders recommendation at Epstein's request in July 2014. Summers commented to Epstein that Junkermann would "spice up that sickeningly earnest group" and noted "Many of tall successful Jewish blondes. Few who are hot and charming".

Lesley Groff, Epstein's longtime assistant, coordinated multiple appointments and meetings with Junkermann, including a scheduled 4:00 PM meeting at Epstein's residence on August 23, 2010, and numerous phone messages when Junkermann called for Epstein.

Robert Lawrence Kuhn participated in business discussions with Junkermann and Epstein in March 2019 regarding what appears to be a Chinese investment opportunity, with a conference call scheduled to discuss documents that Junkermann was expected to provide.

Boris Nikolic, with whom Junkermann shared 45 emails, was referenced in the context of the Young Global Leaders nomination, having initially nominated her for the program. A May 2012 scheduling email noted "Boris and Sam are also coming to stay tonight at apt" at Epstein's Paris apartment, with Junkermann scheduled for a 3:00 PM appointment on May 18, 2012.

Junkermann shared 40 emails with Paul Barrett, a J.P. Morgan managing director who coordinated a conference call in April 2017 involving Junkermann, Epstein, and Barrett to discuss investment matters.

Document References

Junkermann appears in numerous DOJ investigation documents related to package deliveries, medical appointments, and scheduling. In June 2017, multiple emails document a package Junkermann sent to Epstein at 310 East 66th Street instead of 71st Street, requiring Groff to coordinate pickup with staff members Merwin Dela Cruz and others. The item was a painting Junkermann had sent from a gallerist. Staff were instructed to pick it up from the incorrect address, with the package addressed to "Karyna Shuliak not JE" but sent by Nicole Junkermann, and Jeffrey wanted it "done now please".

Documents from June 2017 show Epstein facilitating medical appointments for Junkermann through his connections. When Junkermann needed to see a physician, Groff wrote "I am on this...the office has sent a form that Nicole needs to fill out asap and send back to them" regarding Dr. Woody Merrell's office. Epstein told Groff "please call woody and tell him its important". Groff subsequently arranged an appointment with Dr. Bernard Kruger at 3:15 PM, writing "I got you an appointment with Dr. Kruger!! All is good! I do hope you feel better!! and congratulations on" (the message appears to end mid-sentence, possibly referring to a pregnancy or other personal matter).

Scheduling documents from 2010-2014 show regular appointments at Epstein's residences. A January 29, 2014 schedule listed a "7:30pm Phone Date w/Nicole Junkermann". February 2013 schedules show Junkermann sitting in on "QUANT MEETINGS" organized by Todd Meister, with Michael Wolff also participating, on February 20-21, 2013.

Multiple documents from 2010 record messages that Junkermann called Epstein, with Groff noting "Please call Nicole Junkermann" and "Nicole Junkermann called for you" in September 2010.

Visits to Epstein Properties

Manhattan townhouse (71st Street): The archive documents multiple visits and scheduled appointments at Epstein's New York residence:

1. August 23, 2010 — 4:00 PM appointment scheduled by Lesley Groff
2. February 20, 2013 — Attended quant meetings from 10:00 AM to 4:45 PM with Michael Wolff
3. February 21, 2013 — Continued attendance at quant meetings from 1:00 PM to 1:00 PM, followed by Botstein rehearsal
4. February 26, 2013 — Medical appointment facilitated by Epstein (Junkermann wrote "doctor was very nice have to come for further analysis")
5. May 18, 2012 — Scheduled 3:00 PM appointment in Paris (not Manhattan)
6. June 2017 — Multiple references to package delivery coordination at the 71st Street residence

Paris apartment:

1. May 18, 2012 — 3:00 PM appointment with Junkermann scheduled during a week when Boris Nikolic and others were staying at the apartment

Little St. James (US Virgin Islands):

1. November 20, 2014 — Junkermann sent an email with the subject line "Island", writing "Looked at flights there is one at 1045 direct to st maarten on sunday but I can only tell you tmr afternoon as I will have a... will it be ok if I tell you tmr?". Epstein responded "tell me sat, as i might need to stay in ny". The email indicates she was considering a flight to St. Maarten, the nearest airport to Little St. James island.

Travel with Epstein:

1. September 26, 2010 — Epstein wrote "nicole would like to come tonight please get passport details", and an assistant asked "Junkermann? Do you want her to ride with us to the airport or meet us there?", indicating planned travel that evening.

Palm Beach residence: No documented visits found in archive.

New Mexico ranch: No documented visits found in archive, though Larry Summers mentioned visiting the ranch in the context of discussions about Junkermann.

Other locations: May 2012 Paris visit during which Junkermann had an appointment at Epstein's Paris apartment when Boris Nikolic and others were staying there.