Instagram Co-Founders Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger resigned from the photo-sharing company today.
Speaking about their decision, Kevin Systron wrote in the blog post, “We’re planning on taking some time off to explore our curiosity and creativity again.” Further, he wrote, “Building new things requires that we step back, understand what inspires us and match that with what the world needs; that’s what we plan to do.”
The duo’s uncompromizing contribution towards Instagram
Counting more than 1 billion worldwide users, Instagram is the Facebook’s most successful acquisition. Its growth since 2012 is largely as a result of the hard work and dedication of Systrom and Krieger’s vision. The duo strategically used Facebook resources to aggressively compete with Snapchat.
Systrom wrote, “Mike and I are grateful for the last eight years at Instagram and six years with the Facebook team.” And added, “We’ve grown from 13 people to over a thousand with offices around the world, all while building products used and loved by a community of over 1 billion.”
Kevin and Mike built Instagram to 1 billion users
Facebook CEO, Mark Zuckerberg said in a statement, “Kevin and Mike are extraordinary product leaders and Instagram reflects their combined creative talents.” Further, he added, “I’ve learned a lot working with them for the past six years and have really enjoyed it. I wish them all the best and I’m looking forward to seeing what they build next.”
Systrom and Krieger’s exit may affect the Instagram’s ability to manage its ongoing crises around election interference, fake news, and a general public perception. Instagram has become one of the most successful alternatives to Facebook for teenage users. Without Systrom and Krieger at the management, Instagram may face difficulties to continue growing at its previous pace.
Second time that Co-Founders leave the company acquired by Facebook
Systrom and Krieger are the second pair of wildly successful co-founders to sell a company to Facebook for billions and then leave some years later. Recently, WhatsApp Co-Founder Jan Koum declared he was leaving Facebook over apparent disagreements about user privacy and data-sharing. Koum’s fellow Co-Founder, Brian Acton left Facebook in September 2017.
“We remain excited for the future of Instagram and Facebook in the coming years as we transition from leaders to two users in a billion,” Systrom wrote and added, “We look forward to watching what these innovative and extraordinary companies do next.”
