5 Shocking New Ventures Scooter Braun Is Pursuing After Stepping Down As HYBE America CEO In 2025

The music industry’s ultimate power player, Scooter Braun, has once again made a seismic shift, confirming his "transition" out of the CEO role at HYBE America on July 1, 2025. This move, which stunned many observers, signals a new chapter for the executive famous for discovering Justin Bieber and the controversial acquisition of Taylor Swift’s master recordings. As of today, December 10, 2025, the focus is squarely on what his next colossal move will be, with reports already linking him to a massive new endeavor after consolidating his role within the global HYBE structure. Braun remains a pivotal Senior Advisor and Board member for the parent company, HYBE, which acquired his Ithaca Holdings for over $1 billion in 2021. This strategic pivot suggests a shift from day-to-day management to a more focused, high-level investment and advisory capacity, allowing him to launch a new generation of projects. His career is defined by disruption, and this latest move is no exception, sparking intense speculation across the entertainment, tech, and investment sectors about the future of his empire, SB Projects.

Scott Samuel "Scooter" Braun: Biography and Career Profile

Scott Samuel "Scooter" Braun, born on June 18, 1981, in New York, New York, is an American businessman, record executive, and investor. His journey from a party promoter to a global entertainment mogul is a case study in modern talent management and strategic business acquisition.

• Full Name: Scott Samuel Braun
• Date of Birth: June 18, 1981
• Place of Birth: New York, New York, U.S.
• Years Active: 2003–Present
• Education: Attended Emory University (did not complete a degree)
• Key Companies/Ventures: SB Projects, Ithaca Holdings (Sold to HYBE), TQ Ventures, HYBE America
• Notable Discoveries/Clients: Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, Demi Lovato, J Balvin, Carly Rae Jepsen
• Major Career Milestones:
  • 2007: Launched SB Projects.
  • 2013: Founded the investment firm TQ Ventures.
  • 2019: Ithaca Holdings acquired Big Machine Records, including the masters of Taylor Swift’s first six albums, sparking a major public controversy.
  • 2021: Sold Ithaca Holdings to South Korean conglomerate HYBE for approximately $1.05 billion, assuming the role of CEO of HYBE America.
  • July 1, 2025: Transitioned out of the CEO role at HYBE America to become a Senior Advisor and Board member to HYBE.

The HYBE America Transition: Why the Sudden Shift in 2025?

The announcement in July 2025 that Braun was stepping down as CEO of HYBE America was the biggest music business story of the summer. While he retains a powerful position as a Senior Advisor on the global HYBE board, the transition out of the day-to-day CEO role suggests a strategic refocus. The HYBE acquisition of Ithaca Holdings in 2021 was a landmark deal, creating a powerful fusion between the K-Pop powerhouse (home to BTS) and the Western music market. Braun’s leadership was crucial in integrating the two entities. However, the move to step down as CEO in 2025 points to a desire to pivot away from corporate management and back toward his roots as a dealmaker and investor. Industry analysts suggest several factors for the timing: * Mission Accomplished: Braun successfully oversaw the integration of his SB Projects and Ithaca assets into the HYBE structure, maximizing the value of the 2021 deal. * New Investment Appetite: His new role allows him to pursue high-risk, high-reward ventures that might not align with the conservative corporate structure of a multi-billion dollar public company. He is now free to operate his private investment firm, TQ Ventures, with greater autonomy. * Focus on Global Advisory: By remaining a Senior Advisor and Board member, Braun maintains a powerful influence over HYBE’s strategy without the daily grind of the CEO position, essentially becoming a global strategic consultant for the company. This transition is being viewed not as a retreat, but as a calculated maneuver to free up time and capital for what many believe will be his next wave of disruptive investments in the entertainment and technology space.

Scooter Braun’s Next Power Moves: New Ventures and High-Profile Connections

Freed from the CEO chair, Braun is already making headlines with new connections and rumored deals, confirming his intent to explore "new ventures." These moves indicate where the mogul is placing his bets for the late 2020s.

1. Partnership with So So Def and Jermaine Dupri

Before his official transition from CEO, Braun oversaw a major deal in 2025: a partnership between HYBE America and Jermaine Dupri’s legendary label, So So Def. This venture is focused on launching new music, distribution, and marketing efforts, particularly in the hip-hop and R&B space. Even in his advisory role, this project is a clear indicator of his continued influence and commitment to expanding HYBE’s genre footprint.

2. The OnlyFans Acquisition Attempt

One of the most surprising revelations about Braun’s deal-making in the recent past was his serious interest in acquiring the content creation platform OnlyFans. While he reportedly walked away from the deal, the fact that a top-tier entertainment executive was in talks to take over the controversial, porn-friendly video platform speaks volumes about his willingness to invest in high-growth, high-risk digital assets that cater to direct creator-to-fan economies. This signals a strong interest in Web3 and creator economy platforms.

3. High-Profile Collaborations with Sydney Sweeney

In 2025, Braun’s personal and professional life intersected with reports of his outings and connections with actress and producer Sydney Sweeney. Sources suggest that Braun introduced Sweeney to "new perspectives, especially when it comes to business." Sweeney, a rising star with her own production company, is an ideal partner for a manager looking to leverage his investment capital and business acumen into film, television, and brand-building ventures outside of traditional music management.

4. Focus on TQ Ventures and Strategic Tech Investment

Braun’s private equity firm, TQ Ventures, co-founded with Schuyler Brown and Andrew White, is expected to become the primary vehicle for his "new ventures." The firm focuses on late-stage venture capital and growth equity investments. With his time freed up, Braun can dedicate himself to finding the next billion-dollar opportunity in the technology and entertainment convergence space, likely targeting AI, immersive media, and creator tools.

5. The Lingering Shadow of the Taylor Swift Controversy

While not a new venture, the ongoing legacy of the 2019 acquisition of Taylor Swift’s masters remains a critical entity in understanding Braun's business strategy. The deal, which led to Swift’s decision to re-record her first six albums (the *Taylor’s Version* project), cemented Braun’s image as a ruthless, successful, and often polarizing figure. This controversy, which was a major factor in the valuation of Ithaca Holdings, continues to shape his reputation and influence his future dealings, proving that music IP ownership is a high-stakes game he is willing to play. His next major IP acquisition will be watched closely by the entire industry.