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Bob Iger Returns to Thrive Capital as Advisor Post-Disney Exit

TechCrunch Venture •
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Bob Iger, former Disney CEO, is rejoining Thrive Capital as an advisor, one month after leaving the media giant. Iger, who led Disney for nearly two decades, previously worked at Thrive in 2022 before departing to return to Disney. Thrive’s founder Josh Kushner praised Iger’s “bold leadership” in a social media post, emphasizing its importance amid current market challenges. The move highlights Thrive’s focus on leveraging Iger’s experience in media and entertainment, though his role will likely be part-time.

Thrive Capital, which manages $50 billion in assets, recently raised $10 billion for its 10th fund—the largest in its 17-year history. The firm holds stakes in OpenAI, Stripe, SpaceX, and Cursor, which Bloomberg reported could be sold to SpaceX for $4.2 billion. Iger’s advisory role aligns with Thrive’s strategy to capitalize on high-growth tech sectors, though specifics about his responsibilities remain unclear.

Iger’s return to Thrive follows his controversial exit from Disney, where he faced pressure to address declining streaming profits and leadership tensions. His prior Thrive involvement suggests a continued interest in venture-backed innovation, though Thrive has not disclosed how his role will intersect with its portfolio companies. Analysts speculate this could signal Thrive’s efforts to diversify its influence in media and tech.

Key entities: Thrive Capital, Disney, OpenAI, Stripe, SpaceX, Cursor. Critical figures: $50 billion, $10 billion, $4.2 billion. Context: Iger’s leadership history, Thrive’s record-breaking fundraise, and potential Cursor-SpaceX deal implications.