Key Takeaways
- • Bob Iger has rejoined Thrive Capital as an advisor in his first major move following his departure as Disney CEO, with the transition to successor Josh D'Amaro completed last month.
- • Iger maintains a Disney board seat through year-end 2026 under his employment agreement, while simultaneously expanding his venture capital involvement with Kushner's firm.
- • Thrive Capital, founded in 2009 by Josh Kushner (brother of Jared Kushner), raised $10 billion for its latest fund and focuses on internet, software, and technology investments.
- • Iger's track record in tech dealmaking at Disney includes successful partnerships with Epic Games, Apple, and BAMtech, though notable failures include Maker Studios and Club Penguin acquisitions, and the recent unraveling of an OpenAI collaboration.
- • This marks Iger's second stint with Thrive—he previously joined as a venture partner in 2022 during his interim period between Disney tenures and made a personal investment in the firm in early 2023.
Summary
Bob Iger has returned to Thrive Capital as an advisor, marking his first significant professional commitment since transitioning the Disney CEO role to Josh D'Amaro last month. Josh Kushner, Thrive's founder, announced the move via social media, stating that "Bob leads with boldness and conviction because he knows what he is building and why. He is rejoining Thrive at a time when that kind of leadership matters most." Iger will maintain his position on Disney's board through the end of 2026 as part of his existing employment agreement.
This is Iger's second engagement with the venture capital firm. He initially joined Thrive as a venture partner in 2022 during the interregnum between his two Disney CEO tenures. When Iger returned to Disney in November 2022, he transitioned out of the venture partner role. However, in early 2023, Iger made a personal investment in Thrive Capital that was independent of his executive responsibilities at Disney, signaling sustained confidence in the firm's direction.
Thrive Capital, established in 2009, focuses on investments in internet, software, and technology companies. The firm recently closed a $10 billion fund, demonstrating significant institutional backing. Iger's nearly two-decade tenure as Disney CEO was marked by aggressive tech sector engagement, including landmark partnerships with Epic Games, OpenAI, and BAMtech, as well as early-stage iTunes licensing agreements with Apple under Steve Jobs. However, not all tech ventures proved successful; Iger's acquisitions of Maker Studios and Club Penguin underperformed expectations, and Disney's partnership with OpenAI dissolved several weeks prior to this announcement after OpenAI discontinued its Sora video generation product.
Iger's return to Thrive represents a strategic positioning within venture capital at a time when media and entertainment executives are increasingly pivoting toward technology investment opportunities. His board tenure at Disney through year-end provides continuity during the succession transition while his advisory role at Thrive allows him to remain engaged in the technology sector where he has built considerable expertise and institutional relationships.
This is Iger's second engagement with the venture capital firm. He initially joined Thrive as a venture partner in 2022 during the interregnum between his two Disney CEO tenures. When Iger returned to Disney in November 2022, he transitioned out of the venture partner role. However, in early 2023, Iger made a personal investment in Thrive Capital that was independent of his executive responsibilities at Disney, signaling sustained confidence in the firm's direction.
Thrive Capital, established in 2009, focuses on investments in internet, software, and technology companies. The firm recently closed a $10 billion fund, demonstrating significant institutional backing. Iger's nearly two-decade tenure as Disney CEO was marked by aggressive tech sector engagement, including landmark partnerships with Epic Games, OpenAI, and BAMtech, as well as early-stage iTunes licensing agreements with Apple under Steve Jobs. However, not all tech ventures proved successful; Iger's acquisitions of Maker Studios and Club Penguin underperformed expectations, and Disney's partnership with OpenAI dissolved several weeks prior to this announcement after OpenAI discontinued its Sora video generation product.
Iger's return to Thrive represents a strategic positioning within venture capital at a time when media and entertainment executives are increasingly pivoting toward technology investment opportunities. His board tenure at Disney through year-end provides continuity during the succession transition while his advisory role at Thrive allows him to remain engaged in the technology sector where he has built considerable expertise and institutional relationships.
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