{"entity":{"id":4149,"slug":"paypal-mafia","name":"PayPal Mafia","type":"organization","role":"Group of early PayPal employees including Thiel, Musk, Sacks","description":null,"imageUrl":null,"createdAt":"2026-04-13T03:02:19.867Z","updatedAt":"2026-05-19T09:23:22.275Z"},"electedOffice":null,"significance":{"score":12,"components":{"totalFindings":0,"connectionDegree":8,"recentFindings90d":0,"activeResearchJobs":0,"goblinAttributions":4,"recentSyntheses90d":0,"moneyFlowChainsTotal":0,"closedLoopMemberships":0,"moneyFlowHopsRecent90d":0},"computedAt":"2026-10-16T01:34:31.424Z"},"facts":[{"id":18270,"text":"Search scope note: No irs form 990 filings found for \"PayPal Mafia\" in automated database search as of 2026-04-13. This reflects search coverage limits, not confirmed absence from public record.","confidence":"secondary","dateOccurred":null,"source":null}],"connections":[{"id":21632,"relationshipType":"Philanthropy co-founded by member","description":"Cari Tuna (married to Dustin Moskovitz, a Facebook co-founder who was influenced by PayPal Mafia) and possibly Peter Thiel's philanthropic circle.","confidence":"inferential","firstDocumented":"2011","lastDocumented":null,"other":{"id":1016,"name":"Good Ventures","slug":"good-ventures","type":"institution"}},{"id":20806,"relationshipType":"investment by member","description":"BitFund, a venture capital firm co-founded by PayPal Mafia member Ken Howery, has invested in ByteDance, parent company of TikTok.","confidence":"inferential","firstDocumented":"2018","lastDocumented":null,"other":{"id":9871,"name":"TikTok","slug":"tiktok","type":"company"}},{"id":20803,"relationshipType":"board member (member)","description":"Peter Thiel served on the board of ZeniMax Media (parent of Bethesda) prior to its sale to Microsoft.","confidence":"inferential","firstDocumented":"2009","lastDocumented":null,"other":{"id":191,"name":"ZeniMax Media Inc.","slug":"zenimax-media-inc","type":"company"}},{"id":19558,"relationshipType":"subsidiary","description":"Palantir USG, Inc. is a government-facing subsidiary of Palantir Technologies, co-founded by PayPal Mafia member Peter Thiel.","confidence":"inferential","firstDocumented":"2008","lastDocumented":null,"other":{"id":420,"name":"Palantir USG, Inc.","slug":"palantir-usg-inc","type":"company"}},{"id":19480,"relationshipType":"affiliation","description":"The crypto-friendly regulatory approach championed by Gillibrand (Lummis-Gillibrand framework, CFTC jurisdiction) aligns with positions advocated by PayPal alumni in crypto policy circles","confidence":"inferential","firstDocumented":"2022","lastDocumented":null,"other":{"id":1127,"name":"Kirsten Gillibrand","slug":"kirsten-gillibrand","type":"elected_official"}},{"id":17077,"relationshipType":"affiliation","description":"David Sacks is part of the PayPal Mafia network that connects him to a16z and the Trump administration's crypto policy positions","confidence":"inferential","firstDocumented":"2026","lastDocumented":null,"other":{"id":120,"name":"Andreessen Horowitz (a16z)","slug":"andreessen-horowitz-a16z","type":"company"}},{"id":15467,"relationshipType":"Network Association","description":"Circuit Therapeutics appears in the database near 'PayPal Mafia', indicating a possible connection through the network of PayPal alumni and investors (e.g., Peter Thiel, Ken Howery) who often invest in or found biotech/neurotechnology startups.","confidence":"inferential","firstDocumented":"2026","lastDocumented":null,"other":{"id":4147,"name":"Circuit Therapeutics","slug":"circuit-therapeutics","type":"company"}},{"id":15293,"relationshipType":"Professional network","description":"Blake Masters is considered part of the 'PayPal Mafia' network through his association with Peter Thiel and Silicon Valley conservative tech investors.","confidence":"inferential","firstDocumented":"2017","lastDocumented":null,"other":{"id":4144,"name":"Blake Masters","slug":"blake-masters","type":"person"}},{"id":15179,"relationshipType":"Listed together as entity","description":"Mark Woolway appears in the same list of known entities as PayPal Mafia, both listed in close proximity within the database.","confidence":"inferential","firstDocumented":"2026","lastDocumented":null,"other":{"id":4140,"name":"Mark Woolway","slug":"mark-woolway","type":"person"}},{"id":15120,"relationshipType":"member_network","description":"Ken Howery is part of the 'PayPal Mafia' group of former PayPal executives who became prominent investors and entrepreneurs.","confidence":"inferential","firstDocumented":"2002","lastDocumented":null,"other":{"id":4139,"name":"Ken Howery","slug":"ken-howery","type":"person"}},{"id":93378,"relationshipType":"regulatory_filing","description":"PayPal Mafia filed a filing with the SEC on 2021-10-12.","confidence":"primary","firstDocumented":"2021","lastDocumented":null,"other":{"id":391,"name":"Securities and Exchange Commission","slug":"securities-and-exchange-commission","type":"government_agency"}},{"id":20805,"relationshipType":"early investor in Palantir (founded by member)","description":"In-Q-Tel, the CIA's venture capital arm, was an early investor in Palantir Technologies, co-founded by Peter Thiel of the PayPal Mafia.","confidence":"primary","firstDocumented":"2003","lastDocumented":null,"other":{"id":109,"name":"In-Q-Tel","slug":"in-q-tel","type":"institution"}},{"id":20804,"relationshipType":"subsidiary of Palantir (founded by member)","description":"Palantir Technologies UK Ltd. is a UK subsidiary of Palantir Technologies, co-founded by PayPal Mafia member Peter Thiel.","confidence":"primary","firstDocumented":"2005","lastDocumented":null,"other":{"id":4572,"name":"Palantir Technologies UK Ltd.","slug":"palantir-technologies-uk-ltd","type":"company"}},{"id":20802,"relationshipType":"founded by member","description":"Peter Thiel, a PayPal Mafia member, founded Clarium Capital, a global macro hedge fund.","confidence":"primary","firstDocumented":"2002","lastDocumented":null,"other":{"id":31,"name":"Clarium Capital","slug":"clarium-capital","type":"company"}},{"id":19561,"relationshipType":"invested in by PayPal Mafia","description":"Peter Thiel and other PayPal Mafia members invested in Stripe, continuing the fintech legacy.","confidence":"primary","firstDocumented":"2009","lastDocumented":null,"other":{"id":134,"name":"Stripe","slug":"stripe","type":"company"}},{"id":19559,"relationshipType":"founded","description":"Peter Thiel co-founded Mithril Capital, another venture firm connected to his PayPal Mafia network.","confidence":"primary","firstDocumented":"2012","lastDocumented":null,"other":{"id":4146,"name":"Mithril Capital","slug":"mithril-capital","type":"company"}},{"id":19557,"relationshipType":"founded","description":"Chad Hurley, Steve Chen, and Jawed Karim (PayPal employees) founded YouTube, commonly associated with the PayPal Mafia.","confidence":"primary","firstDocumented":"2005","lastDocumented":null,"other":{"id":9875,"name":"YouTube","slug":"youtube","type":"company"}},{"id":15430,"relationshipType":"core member","description":"David Sacks was PayPal's COO and a core member. Later founded Yammer and became a prominent venture investor.","confidence":"primary","firstDocumented":"1999","lastDocumented":null,"other":{"id":11,"name":"David Sacks","slug":"david-sacks","type":"person"}},{"id":15429,"relationshipType":"investor","description":"Sequoia invested in PayPal early. The PayPal Mafia network frequently works with Sequoia-funded companies.","confidence":"primary","firstDocumented":"1999","lastDocumented":null,"other":{"id":119,"name":"Sequoia Capital","slug":"sequoia-capital","type":"company"}},{"id":15428,"relationshipType":"core member","description":"Reid Hoffman was a core PayPal executive (COO) before founding LinkedIn.","confidence":"primary","firstDocumented":"1998","lastDocumented":null,"other":{"id":726,"name":"Reid Hoffman","slug":"reid-hoffman","type":"person"}},{"id":15427,"relationshipType":"core member","description":"Peter Thiel co-founded PayPal and is widely considered the leader of the PayPal Mafia network.","confidence":"primary","firstDocumented":"1998","lastDocumented":null,"other":{"id":1,"name":"Peter Thiel","slug":"peter-thiel","type":"person"}},{"id":15426,"relationshipType":"core member","description":"Elon Musk co-founded PayPal (X.com merged with Confinity). Central figure of PayPal Mafia.","confidence":"primary","firstDocumented":"1999","lastDocumented":null,"other":{"id":3,"name":"Elon Musk","slug":"elon-musk","type":"person"}},{"id":15425,"relationshipType":"political protege funded by member","description":"JD Vance's Senate campaign was heavily funded by Peter Thiel ($15 million). Vance worked at Mithril Capital (Thiel co-founded) and was supported by PayPal Mafia network.","confidence":"primary","firstDocumented":"2021","lastDocumented":null,"other":{"id":5,"name":"JD Vance","slug":"jd-vance","type":"elected_official"}},{"id":15424,"relationshipType":"founder","description":"Palmer Luckey's Oculus was backed by Founders Fund (Thiel). Luckey later co-founded Anduril with Thiel network support.","confidence":"primary","firstDocumented":"2012","lastDocumented":null,"other":{"id":13,"name":"Palmer Luckey","slug":"palmer-luckey","type":"person"}},{"id":15423,"relationshipType":"subsidiary","description":"Peter Thiel's personal investment firm, central to PayPal Mafia wealth management.","confidence":"primary","firstDocumented":"1996","lastDocumented":null,"other":{"id":21,"name":"Thiel Capital","slug":"thiel-capital","type":"company"}},{"id":15422,"relationshipType":"invested by member","description":"Elon Musk, a core member of the PayPal Mafia, founded and is CEO of SpaceX. Peter Thiel also invested via Founders Fund.","confidence":"primary","firstDocumented":"2002","lastDocumented":null,"other":{"id":23,"name":"SpaceX","slug":"spacex","type":"company"}},{"id":15421,"relationshipType":"founded by member","description":"Reid Hoffman, a core member of the PayPal Mafia, co-founded LinkedIn.","confidence":"primary","firstDocumented":"2002","lastDocumented":null,"other":{"id":1024,"name":"LinkedIn","slug":"linkedin","type":"company"}},{"id":15420,"relationshipType":"former CEO/product connection","description":"PayPal Mafia formed through PayPal sale to eBay. Peter Thiel was an early Facebook investor and board member. Other PayPal Mafia members like Reid Hoffman (LinkedIn) were part of this broader network.","confidence":"primary","firstDocumented":"2004","lastDocumented":null,"other":{"id":9869,"name":"Meta Platforms","slug":"meta-platforms","type":"company"}},{"id":15419,"relationshipType":"founded by member","description":"Palmer Luckey (early Facebook/Oculus, PayPal ecosystem ties) co-founded Anduril. Trae Stephens (Founders Fund/Peter Thiel associate) is a co-founder and executive chairman. Peter Thiel invested and supported via Founders Fund.","confidence":"primary","firstDocumented":"2017","lastDocumented":null,"other":{"id":26,"name":"Anduril Industries","slug":"anduril-industries","type":"company"}},{"id":15418,"relationshipType":"founded by member","description":"Peter Thiel co-founded Valar Ventures, a venture capital firm closely associated with PayPal alumni investments.","confidence":"primary","firstDocumented":"2010","lastDocumented":null,"other":{"id":30,"name":"Valar Ventures","slug":"valar-ventures","type":"company"}},{"id":15417,"relationshipType":"founded by member","description":"Peter Thiel co-founded Founders Fund, a venture capital firm. Other PayPal Mafia members (e.g., Ken Howery) were also partners.","confidence":"primary","firstDocumented":"2005","lastDocumented":null,"other":{"id":22,"name":"Founders Fund","slug":"founders-fund","type":"company"}},{"id":15416,"relationshipType":"founded by members","description":"Peter Thiel, a core member of the PayPal Mafia, co-founded Palantir Technologies. Other PayPal alumni like Joe Lonsdale were also early employees/co-founders.","confidence":"primary","firstDocumented":"2003","lastDocumented":null,"other":{"id":17,"name":"Palantir Technologies","slug":"palantir-technologies","type":"company"}},{"id":93379,"relationshipType":"subject_of_search","description":"A search for IRS Form 990 filings was conducted for the entity as of April 2026, though results were inconclusive.","confidence":"secondary","firstDocumented":"2026","lastDocumented":null,"other":{"id":93,"name":"Internal Revenue Service (IRS)","slug":"internal-revenue-service-irs","type":"institution"}},{"id":21633,"relationshipType":"Organization supported by member funding","description":"Elon Musk (PayPal Mafia) was a co-founder and early funder of OpenAI; Peter Thiel also invested.","confidence":"secondary","firstDocumented":"2015","lastDocumented":null,"other":{"id":9144,"name":"OpenAI","slug":"openai","type":"company"}},{"id":21631,"relationshipType":"Member invested/served on board","description":"Peter Thiel (PayPal Mafia) was an early investor in Facebook and served on its board of directors.","confidence":"secondary","firstDocumented":"2004","lastDocumented":null,"other":{"id":196,"name":"Facebook Technologies LLC","slug":"facebook-technologies-llc","type":"company"}},{"id":19560,"relationshipType":"political connection","description":"Joe Lonsdale, a PayPal Mafia member and Palantir co-founder, is associated with the pro-Trump super PAC Investing in US.","confidence":"secondary","firstDocumented":"2020","lastDocumented":null,"other":{"id":4083,"name":"Investing in US","slug":"investing-in-us","type":"organization"}},{"id":15490,"relationshipType":"affiliation","description":"Stanford Review is closely associated with the PayPal Mafia; many key PayPal alumni (e.g., Peter Thiel) were involved with the Stanford Review during their time at Stanford University.","confidence":"secondary","firstDocumented":"1998","lastDocumented":null,"other":{"id":4148,"name":"Stanford Review","slug":"stanford-review","type":"organization"}}],"contradictions":[],"permalink":"https://www.goblinhouse.net/entity/paypal-mafia","timelineUrl":"https://www.goblinhouse.net/entity/paypal-mafia/timeline"}