TechCrunch Daily Crunch Epstein associate and Day One founder explains herself
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Feb 17, 2026 A detailed account of a financier's ties to Jeffrey Epstein and how those connections surfaced in public documents. Coverage of claims she acted as a publicist and arranged influential meetings. A look at her startup founding, venture investments and prior controversies. Short business headlines on startup funding and AI investments round out the show.
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Bucher’s Relationship With Epstein
- Masha Bucher acknowledged a close business and personal relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and apologized to founders, team, and investors.
- The Epstein files show she worked as his publicist, received gifts and support, and corresponded with him until shortly before his 2019 arrest.
Epstein’s Influence On Day One’s Early Growth
- Epstein supported and encouraged Bucher in Day One Ventures' early days, linking his network to her firm’s growth.
- Despite controversy, Day One closed a $150M fund in 2024 and grew to $450M assets under management.
Bucher’s VC Track Record And Personal Statements
- Bucher has backed notable startups like Superhuman, Remote, WorldCoin, and Truebill, making her a well-known VC in the Valley.
- She said she gave up her Russian passport, denounced Putin, and met with some of Epstein's victims amid the reporting.