The informal group of former PayPal employees who later founded major technology companies is called the PayPal Mafia.
The label describes a network of executives and employees associated with PayPal during its early growth and around its 2002 acquisition by eBay. Members went on to create or lead companies including LinkedIn, YouTube, Yelp, Palantir, and SpaceX. The group’s influence came from repeated collaboration, investment, recruiting, and mentorship rather than from a formal organization.
The phrase was popularized by a 2007 Fortune magazine article, which featured a photograph of several former PayPal colleagues dressed in pinstriped suits. It is a nickname, not a legal entity or secret society. Membership lists also vary because the term can include founders, early employees, investors, and close associates.
The group is often discussed as an example of Silicon Valley’s talent networks. Its story also illustrates how one successful startup can seed many later ventures through employee departures, angel funding, and shared technical and managerial experience.