Andy Byron has officially stepped down as CEO of Astronomer, a $1.3 billion data infrastructure startup, following a widely publicized moment at a Coldplay concert. The company confirmed the resignation on Saturday and said it is actively searching for a new chief executive.
The incident occurred during Coldplay’s performance in Boston on Wednesday. Byron and Kristin Cabot, Astronomer’s head of HR, appeared on the venue’s “kiss cam,” prompting audience attention and a comment from lead singer Chris Martin. The pair were seen ducking from the camera and attempting to hide their faces. Martin joked, “Either they’re having an affair or they’re just very shy.”
Leadership Changes Announced
In a LinkedIn statement, Astronomer acknowledged Byron’s resignation and announced that cofounder and Chief Product Officer Pete DeJoy would serve as interim CEO during the transition.
“Andy Byron has tendered his resignation, and the Board of Directors has accepted,” the company said. “The Board will begin a search for our next Chief Executive as Pete DeJoy continues to serve as interim CEO.”
The statement also attempted to redirect attention to the company’s work. “Before this week, we were known as a pioneer in the DataOps space, helping data teams power everything from modern analytics to production AI. While awareness of our company may have changed overnight, our product and our work for our customers have not.”
Read more: Andy Byron Resigns After Kiss Cam Video, No Lawsuit Filed Against Coldplay
Speculation Around Compensation
Right as news of Byron’s departure was spreading, a fake job posting started making the rounds on social media. It claimed the new CEO could pull in a salary between $469,000 and $690,000. While the company has stayed quiet on the rumor, it appears to be completely bogus.
So far, Astronomer hasn’t officially said what they’ll pay their next leader. But considering the startup’s valuation and its impressive backers, the real compensation package is bound to be a big one.
About Andy Byron and Company Value
Byron, who had led the company through key funding stages and product expansion, is reportedly worth around $60 million, according to the Daily Mail. He also holds an ownership stake in the company.
Astronomer has positioned itself as a leader in DataOps, providing infrastructure for managing modern data pipelines. Its products support organizations working in AI, analytics, and machine learning.
Also Read | Privateer Rum CEO’s Wife Kristin Cabot Involved in Viral Kiss Cam Scandal
Startup Pay Context
While Byron’s replacement will likely command a top-tier salary, pay for most startup CEOs is all over the map. Data from Kruze Consulting shows the average sits around $161,000, but that number swings wildly depending on a company’s funding and location.
Now, with the company reeling from a sudden change at the top, the biggest questions are simple: Who is taking over, and what’s the plan for moving forward?
