Reid Hoffman

Reid Garrett Hoffman is an American internet entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and co-founder of LinkedIn, the professional networking platform. Since joining Greylock Partners in 2009, he has been a prominent investor in technology startups and served on multiple corporate and nonprofit boards. The archive documents 2,465 emails between Hoffman and Jeffrey Epstein's network spanning July 2013 to March 2019, reflecting a relationship centered on MIT Media Lab fundraising, neuroscience initiatives, and intellectual exchanges. Hoffman visited Epstein's private island in November 2014 and attended events at Epstein's Manhattan townhouse. In September 2019, Hoffman publicly apologized for his role in fundraising activities involving Epstein, stating he "helped to repair his reputation and perpetuate injustice". No victims of Epstein's crimes have made public allegations of wrongdoing by Hoffman.

Background#

Hoffman was born August 5, 1967, and attended Stanford University and Oxford University, where he studied philosophy. He was part of the founding team at PayPal, serving as executive vice president before co-founding LinkedIn in 2003. LinkedIn became the world's largest professional networking service with over 400 million members under Hoffman's leadership as CEO through its first four years. He joined Greylock Partners as a venture capitalist in 2009, focusing on early-stage investments in network-effect businesses. His investments include Airbnb, Facebook, and numerous other technology companies.

Hoffman's connection to Epstein came through MIT Media Lab director Joi Ito, a longtime friend. According to Hoffman's 2019 statement, he was told Epstein had cleared MIT's vetting process before participating in fundraising meetings. After Epstein's death and public scrutiny of MIT's relationship with the financier, Hoffman told Axios that he "deeply regretted" his interactions with Epstein, acknowledging he had helped rehabilitate the sex offender's reputation. The Wall Street Journal reported in September 2023 that Hoffman visited Epstein's private island in 2014. In February 2026, responding to newly released documents, Hoffman disclosed six additional meetings with Epstein between 2016 and 2018 beyond those he had previously acknowledged.

Correspondence with Epstein#

The archive documents sustained contact between Hoffman and Epstein from July 2013 through March 2019. Their earliest documented exchanges concerned coordinating island visits and joint meetings with Ito. In September 2013, Hoffman wrote asking "when will you be @ your island? Chatting with Joi about setting up a joint visit". Epstein replied indicating availability "anytime after oct 15". By October 2013, Hoffman inquired "Hope you're well... Island?" when discussing future meetings.

Much of their correspondence focused on scheduling calls and meetings. Between 2013 and 2016, they arranged multiple Skype calls and in-person meetings coordinated through their assistants Saida Sapieva (Hoffman's EA) and Lesley Groff (Epstein's assistant). In March 2018, Hoffman wrote about Bill Gates, noting "Seeing Bill for two days next week" and proposing a March 24 meeting with Epstein. After a meeting with Steve Bannon and Larry Summers, Epstein wrote to Hoffman in March 2018: "had fun with bannon and summers. ask joi for his view".

The correspondence reveals intellectual exchanges beyond fundraising. Epstein discussed Martin Nowak with Hoffman, writing "martin novak . liked your interaction, hes really fun" in September 2018. In August 2016, Epstein outlined to Hoffman and Ito a plan for "Challenges for Chomsky ie the Chomsky challenge, Novak, church, hillis. etc." where he would fund scientists to "pick 5 tough but solvable questions" to advance their respective fields. Epstein wrote he intended "to do 10 challenges a year".

In September 2015, Epstein invited Hoffman to "come to island , ranch , lets play". In February 2017, Epstein invited Hoffman to New Mexico, writing "Having lunch with chomsky on sunday you are always welcome". Business opportunities also arose in correspondence; in October 2016, Epstein mentioned that "bill hellman said he was introducing by close friend leon black to the greylock partners you?"

In May 2018, Hoffman wrote to Epstein about a potential investment: "Joi says that you're on the fence around investing in the fund – worth scheduling a skype call for that?". The two maintained contact through 2018, with brief exchanges while Hoffman traveled internationally. In February 2019, after receiving an invitation to the BrainMind Summit at MIT, Epstein replied with apparent irony: "thanks , if i come to the west coast. will you have the courage to meet ? :)".

Connections#

Hoffman's primary connection in Epstein's network was Joi Ito, with whom he shared 363 emails in the archive. As director of the MIT Media Lab, Ito served as the nexus for Hoffman's involvement with Epstein. Their shared correspondence often concerned coordinating meetings with Epstein, travel arrangements, and MIT fundraising initiatives.

Through Epstein, Hoffman connected with other members of the network including Larry Summers (22 shared emails), Danny Hillis (17 shared emails), and Martin A. Nowak (11 shared emails). Hoffman appeared on group emails with these individuals discussing technology, cybersecurity, and scientific topics. In September 2016, Vincenzo Iozzo sent Hoffman, Epstein, Ito, and Hillis an article on "internet infrastructure attack" and separately shared thoughts on "Assange on how to defeat an organization" with Hoffman, Epstein, and Joshua Cooper Ramo.

Hoffman's role in the network included facilitating connections for Epstein. The archive shows him serving as a bridge between Epstein and other prominent figures in technology and science through various events and initiatives.

Document References#

Hoffman appears in DOJ-released email records documenting his interactions with Epstein over multiple years. A November 2014 email chain from Saida Sapieva, Hoffman's assistant, coordinated logistics for the island trip, including flight arrangements from Fort Lauderdale to Palm Beach and then to "Jeffrey's island on St. Thomas". The September 2014 planning email from Ito confirmed that Hoffman would travel with Ito from San Francisco to Epstein's island, with Ito writing "I'll be coming from Tokyo and Reid will be in SFO". Another September 2014 email shows Epstein asking "When is Reid free to travel?" as assistants coordinated flight options from San Francisco to the island on November 28 and then to Boston on November 30.

Records document Hoffman's participation in a March 16, 2019 scheduled meeting with Epstein, as shown by a Google Calendar notification for "reid hoffman @ Sat Mar 16, 2019 9am - 10am". Multiple email threads from 2016, 2017, and 2018 show ongoing communications about meetings, business matters, and social invitations. A June 2014 schedule listed a lunch appointment with Joi Ito where "Reid Hoffman might join".

Visits to Epstein Properties#

Manhattan townhouse: At least one documented interaction. A June 2014 schedule notes an "11:30-1:00pm LUNCH Appt w/Joi Ito (Reid Hoffman might join)" at Epstein's residence following Epstein's arrival from Little St. James that morning.

Little St. James island: One confirmed visit November 28-30, 2014. Planning began in September 2014 when Ito wrote to Epstein and Hoffman: "We're wondering if we could visit you on the island arriving Friday night the 28th or Sat morning the 29th of November leaving Sunday the 30th of Nov". The visit was coordinated through assistants, with detailed flight logistics arranged for Hoffman traveling from San Francisco and Ito from Tokyo. Both would "meet in SFO or in MIA" before traveling to the island. The November 24, 2014 coordination email confirmed Jeffrey would "fly and Reid to his island on St. Thomas Nov. 28th evening" with return to Boston on November 30. Earlier exchanges show Hoffman repeatedly inquiring about island availability, including September 2013 and October 2013 discussions.

Palm Beach residence: One documented visit. The November 28, 2014 trip itinerary shows Hoffman arriving at Fort Lauderdale airport and being transported to "Jeffrey's PB home address" at 358 El Brillo Way before the evening flight to the island.

New Mexico ranch: Invited but no documented visit. In September 2015, Epstein wrote "come to island , ranch , lets play". In February 2017, Epstein extended another invitation, noting "I'm in Santa fe" and inviting Hoffman to join lunch with Noam Chomsky. Hoffman has publicly stated he "did not go to the ranch".

Paris apartment: No visits documented in archive.

Other events: Hoffman hosted or attended multiple events where Epstein was present. On August 2, 2015, Hoffman's assistant coordinated a dinner at Baume Restaurant in Palo Alto where Epstein joined Hoffman, Mark Zuckerberg, Priscilla Chan, Elon Musk, Peter Thiel, Joi Ito, and MIT neuroscientist Ed Boyden. The restaurant was "bought out" for the private gathering. Hoffman served as Chair of the BrainMind Advisory Board, which extended invitations to Epstein for neuroscience summits in 2018 and 2019 at Stanford and MIT.