Key Takeaways
- • Bob Iger, former Disney CEO (2005–2020) and executive chairman (through December 2021), has joined Thrive Capital as a venture partner in a non-full-time advisory role, effective April 2026.
- • Thrive Capital, founded by Josh Kushner and managing approximately $15–16 billion in assets under management, raised $3 billion in February 2026 and has backed major tech companies including Instagram, Spotify, Stripe, and Robinhood.
- • Iger's mandate includes mentoring startup founders and identifying investment opportunities across healthcare, consumer technology, financial services, enterprise software, and other sectors where Thrive operates.
- • Josh Kushner approached Iger about the partnership after Iger stepped down as Disney's board chairman at year-end 2021; the two connected through Kushner's wife, model Karlie Kloss.
- • Since departing Disney, Iger has maintained an active venture portfolio, holding board positions and investments in companies including Canva, Gopuff, and Genies.
Summary
Bob Iger, the former chief executive of The Walt Disney Company, has accepted a venture partner position at Thrive Capital, the New York-based venture capital firm founded by billionaire Josh Kushner. The appointment was announced Tuesday morning on April 23, 2026. Iger will serve in an advisory and mentorship capacity on a non-full-time basis, bringing his three decades of media and entertainment expertise to the firm's portfolio companies.
Iger's tenure at Disney spanned 15 years as CEO (2005–2020) and an additional two years as executive chairman, concluding December 31, 2021. During his leadership, he orchestrated transformative acquisitions—including Pixar, Marvel Entertainment, Lucasfilm, and 21st Century Fox—while launching Disney+ in 2019 and ESPN+ in 2018, establishing the company's streaming foundation. He was succeeded as CEO by Bob Chapek in 2020. Kushner said he first proposed the Thrive Capital partnership to Iger after the executive stepped down from Disney's board chair role at year-end 2021.
Thrive Capital manages between $15 billion and $16 billion in assets under management and raised $3 billion in February 2026 for two new funds. The firm specializes in building and investing in internet, software, and technology-enabled companies, with a track record that includes early-stage positions in Instagram, Spotify, Stripe, and Robinhood. In his new role, Iger will mentor Thrive's founders across multiple sectors, including healthcare, consumer technology, financial services, and enterprise software. Kushner emphasized that the arrangement involves Iger being "involved in all the things that we do," according to reporting in the Wall Street Journal.
Outside of Disney, Iger has actively participated in the startup ecosystem, holding board seats and making investments in companies such as Canva, Gopuff, and metaverse platform Genies. Iger, currently 71 years old and estimated to hold a net worth of $690 million (as of 2019), brings substantial operational and strategic credibility to Thrive's investment thesis and founder mentorship efforts. The partnership signals Thrive's ambition to leverage world-class executive talent in navigating complex market dynamics and identifying future industry leaders.
Iger's tenure at Disney spanned 15 years as CEO (2005–2020) and an additional two years as executive chairman, concluding December 31, 2021. During his leadership, he orchestrated transformative acquisitions—including Pixar, Marvel Entertainment, Lucasfilm, and 21st Century Fox—while launching Disney+ in 2019 and ESPN+ in 2018, establishing the company's streaming foundation. He was succeeded as CEO by Bob Chapek in 2020. Kushner said he first proposed the Thrive Capital partnership to Iger after the executive stepped down from Disney's board chair role at year-end 2021.
Thrive Capital manages between $15 billion and $16 billion in assets under management and raised $3 billion in February 2026 for two new funds. The firm specializes in building and investing in internet, software, and technology-enabled companies, with a track record that includes early-stage positions in Instagram, Spotify, Stripe, and Robinhood. In his new role, Iger will mentor Thrive's founders across multiple sectors, including healthcare, consumer technology, financial services, and enterprise software. Kushner emphasized that the arrangement involves Iger being "involved in all the things that we do," according to reporting in the Wall Street Journal.
Outside of Disney, Iger has actively participated in the startup ecosystem, holding board seats and making investments in companies such as Canva, Gopuff, and metaverse platform Genies. Iger, currently 71 years old and estimated to hold a net worth of $690 million (as of 2019), brings substantial operational and strategic credibility to Thrive's investment thesis and founder mentorship efforts. The partnership signals Thrive's ambition to leverage world-class executive talent in navigating complex market dynamics and identifying future industry leaders.
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