Key Takeaways
- • Bob Iger, 71, has joined Thrive Capital as a venture partner following his departure as Disney CEO on March 18, 2025, returning to the firm where he previously served in 2021 during his interlude from Disney.
- • Iger will identify new investments and mentor portfolio company founders at Thrive Capital, which manages approximately $15 billion in assets and counts OpenAI, Spotify, Instagram, and A24 among its portfolio companies.
- • This appointment marks Iger's second engagement with Thrive Capital; he first served as a venture partner between spring 2021 and November 2022, during which time he established a relationship with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman prior to ChatGPT's release.
- • Thrive Capital, founded in 2009 by Joshua Kushner (brother of Jared Kushner), emphasizes Iger's leadership during "the most consequential technology shift of our lifetimes," with particular focus on AI's role in democratizing access to intelligence.
- • Iger's 15-year tenure as Disney CEO (2005–2020) included major acquisitions of Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, and 21st Century Fox, as well as the launch of Disney+ and ESPN+ streaming services; his second Disney tenure ended after five years under Josh D'Amaro's succession.
Summary
Bob Iger has joined Thrive Capital as a venture partner, the New York-based venture capital firm announced on April 23, 2026. The move marks Iger's transition following his March 18, 2025 departure as Disney CEO, a position he had held for his second tenure since November 2022. At 71 years old, Iger will work in a part-time advisory capacity identifying new investments and mentoring startup founders within Thrive's portfolio.
This represents Iger's return to Thrive Capital, where he previously served as a venture partner between spring 2021 and November 2022. During that earlier interlude from Disney—following his initial retirement announcement in February 2020 and before his successor Bob Chapek's ouster necessitated his return—Iger first connected with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. The relationship subsequently yielded a $1 billion deal between OpenAI and Disney, though the agreement dissolved after OpenAI discontinued its Sora generative AI video software.
Thrive Capital, founded in 2009 by Joshua Kushner, manages approximately $15 billion in assets and maintains a portfolio spanning internet, software, and technology-enabled companies including Instagram, Spotify, Patreon, Robinhood, and entertainment properties like indie film studio A24. Kushner emphasized Iger's value proposition in an X post announcing the appointment, stating that "Bob leads with boldness and conviction" and that his leadership is particularly relevant as "we are living through the most consequential technology shift of our lifetimes, where AI will democratize access to intelligence in the way the internet democratized access to information."
Iger's extensive track record in media and technology positions him to mentor Thrive's founders across healthcare, consumer technology, financial services, and enterprise software sectors. During his 15-year tenure as Disney CEO, Iger orchestrated transformative acquisitions of Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, and 21st Century Fox while launching the Disney+ and ESPN+ streaming services. The venture capital appointment allows Iger to leverage this operational and strategic experience in an advisory capacity while maintaining lower time commitment than his previous executive roles.
This represents Iger's return to Thrive Capital, where he previously served as a venture partner between spring 2021 and November 2022. During that earlier interlude from Disney—following his initial retirement announcement in February 2020 and before his successor Bob Chapek's ouster necessitated his return—Iger first connected with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. The relationship subsequently yielded a $1 billion deal between OpenAI and Disney, though the agreement dissolved after OpenAI discontinued its Sora generative AI video software.
Thrive Capital, founded in 2009 by Joshua Kushner, manages approximately $15 billion in assets and maintains a portfolio spanning internet, software, and technology-enabled companies including Instagram, Spotify, Patreon, Robinhood, and entertainment properties like indie film studio A24. Kushner emphasized Iger's value proposition in an X post announcing the appointment, stating that "Bob leads with boldness and conviction" and that his leadership is particularly relevant as "we are living through the most consequential technology shift of our lifetimes, where AI will democratize access to intelligence in the way the internet democratized access to information."
Iger's extensive track record in media and technology positions him to mentor Thrive's founders across healthcare, consumer technology, financial services, and enterprise software sectors. During his 15-year tenure as Disney CEO, Iger orchestrated transformative acquisitions of Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, and 21st Century Fox while launching the Disney+ and ESPN+ streaming services. The venture capital appointment allows Iger to leverage this operational and strategic experience in an advisory capacity while maintaining lower time commitment than his previous executive roles.
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