Key Takeaways
- • Bob Iger, former Disney CEO (2005-2020, and again 2022-2026), has joined Thrive Capital as a venture partner in a non-full-time advisory role focused on mentoring founders and identifying investment opportunities.
- • Thrive Capital, founded by Joshua Kushner in 2009 and managing approximately $15 billion in assets, raised $3 billion for two new funds earlier in 2026 and has previously invested in major companies including Instagram, Spotify, Patreon, and Robinhood.
- • Iger's appointment follows his formal departure from Disney's executive chairman role at year-end 2025 and his recent transition of the CEO position to Josh D'Amaro; the role leverages his 17+ years of combined CEO tenure and track record of major acquisitions (Marvel, Pixar, Lucasfilm, 21st Century Fox) and streaming platform launches.
- • Iger brings expertise across healthcare, consumer technology, financial services, enterprise software, and other sectors, positioning Thrive to benefit from his corporate leadership experience during what the firm describes as "complex and dynamic times" requiring "bold leadership."
- • Since stepping down as Disney CEO in 2020, Iger has diversified his investment portfolio, acquiring stakes in Funko, GoPuff, and Genies, while also authoring a leadership book and fielding numerous board solicitations before opting to focus on early-stage venture investments.
Summary
Bob Iger has joined venture capital firm Thrive Capital as a venture partner, marking his formal entry into the venture capital sector following a separation from The Walt Disney Company. The appointment comes after Iger's tenure as CEO concluded in November 2022 (his second stint), and his executive chairman role ended at year-end 2025. The role at Thrive is non-full-time and positions Iger to advise the firm on potential investments and mentor startup founders building companies across multiple industries.
Thrive Capital, founded in 2009 by Joshua Kushner (younger brother of Jared Kushner), manages approximately $15 billion in assets and has an established track record in technology and internet-enabled businesses. The firm raised $3 billion for two new funds earlier in 2026 and has backed high-profile companies including Instagram, Spotify, Patreon, and Robinhood. In announcing Iger's appointment, Thrive described him as "one of the most visionary, innovative and successful CEOs in history" and emphasized his ability to mentor portfolio companies navigating "bold leadership" challenges across healthcare, consumer technology, financial services, and enterprise software sectors.
Iger's appointment reflects his demonstrated success during two separate CEO tenures at Disney spanning 17+ years combined. His first period (2005-2020) featured transformative acquisitions of Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilm, as well as the launches of Disney+ and ESPN+. His more recent tenure (2022-2026) focused on navigating industry consolidation, workforce optimization, and profitability improvements at the Disney+ streaming platform. Since departing Disney in 2020, Iger has remained active in the investment landscape, acquiring minority stakes in brands including Funko, the quick-delivery service GoPuff, and the metaverse avatar company Genies.
At the Code Conference in April 2026, Iger noted he had been approached "nearly non-stop" by companies interested in board representation, but expressed greater interest in early-stage startups. The Thrive Capital role appears aligned with this stated preference, allowing him to engage with founders and emerging companies while maintaining flexibility outside a full-time commitment. Iger is also working on a new leadership book, a follow-up to his 2019 memoir.
Thrive Capital, founded in 2009 by Joshua Kushner (younger brother of Jared Kushner), manages approximately $15 billion in assets and has an established track record in technology and internet-enabled businesses. The firm raised $3 billion for two new funds earlier in 2026 and has backed high-profile companies including Instagram, Spotify, Patreon, and Robinhood. In announcing Iger's appointment, Thrive described him as "one of the most visionary, innovative and successful CEOs in history" and emphasized his ability to mentor portfolio companies navigating "bold leadership" challenges across healthcare, consumer technology, financial services, and enterprise software sectors.
Iger's appointment reflects his demonstrated success during two separate CEO tenures at Disney spanning 17+ years combined. His first period (2005-2020) featured transformative acquisitions of Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilm, as well as the launches of Disney+ and ESPN+. His more recent tenure (2022-2026) focused on navigating industry consolidation, workforce optimization, and profitability improvements at the Disney+ streaming platform. Since departing Disney in 2020, Iger has remained active in the investment landscape, acquiring minority stakes in brands including Funko, the quick-delivery service GoPuff, and the metaverse avatar company Genies.
At the Code Conference in April 2026, Iger noted he had been approached "nearly non-stop" by companies interested in board representation, but expressed greater interest in early-stage startups. The Thrive Capital role appears aligned with this stated preference, allowing him to engage with founders and emerging companies while maintaining flexibility outside a full-time commitment. Iger is also working on a new leadership book, a follow-up to his 2019 memoir.
Go deeper than the headline
Research every firm in this story, track the ones that matter and get the daily briefing — free for 7 days.