Veteran VC Josh Elman Joins Apple to Lead App Store Innovation
Josh Elman, a seasoned operator and venture capitalist, has officially joined Apple to focus on enhancing the App Store experience. Announcing the move on Twitter, Elman revealed his mission: helping users discover the best apps while supporting developers.
A Career Defined by Tech Disruption
Elman brings decades of expertise in high-growth tech companies and consumer apps. His career highlights include:
- Early Days at RealNetworks: Joined the streaming pioneer post-Stanford during its 1997 IPO era
- LinkedIn’s Growth Phase: Served as Senior Product Manager in 2004 when the professional network was just two years old
- Social Media Expertise: Held product roles at Facebook and Twitter during critical growth periods
- Venture Capital Success: As a Greylock GP from 2013-2018, he backed breakout apps like Musical.ly (now TikTok), Nextdoor, and Discord
The Robinhood Interlude
In an unexpected 2018 move, Elman transitioned to VP of Product at Robinhood while maintaining ties to Greylock as a Venture Partner. Though his tenure lasted less than two years, the experience further solidified his reputation as a product-focused leader.
Apple’s Strategic Hire
While Apple confirmed Elman’s employment, details about his specific title remain undisclosed - consistent with the company’s standard practices. His appointment signals Apple’s continued investment in:
- App discovery algorithms
- Developer relations
- User experience optimization
Elman hinted at his ambitions in a tweet: “I’m really excited to build ways to help over a billion customers and millions of developers connect.” He later shared a poignant throwback to his college resume, noting his enduring career objective: “To create great technology that changes people’s lives.”
What This Means for the App Ecosystem
With his unique blend of operator experience and investment acumen, Elman is positioned to:
- Bridge the gap between developers and Apple’s platform requirements
- Improve app monetization strategies
- Enhance discovery mechanisms for emerging app categories
Industry watchers will be closely monitoring how Elman’s product philosophy shapes the future of the world’s most lucrative app marketplace.
