Andy Byron, the Chief Executive Officer of New York-based tech startup Astronomer, has officially resigned following a viral video that showed him sharing an intimate moment with a colleague during a Coldplay concert.
The company confirmed Byron’s resignation in a statement released Saturday, stating that its board of directors had accepted his decision to step down and had launched a search for a new CEO.
The controversy began when Byron and Kristin Cabot, the firm’s Chief People Officer, appeared on the “kiss cam” during the concert at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
The pair were seen embracing while Coldplay performed, but quickly attempted to hide when they realized they were being shown on the big screen.
Frontman Chris Martin jokingly remarked, “Either they’re having an affair or they’re just very shy,” adding to the moment’s virality.
In the aftermath, various unverified statements allegedly from Byron began circulating online.
However, Astronomer issued a clarification via LinkedIn, saying, “Andy Byron has not released any official statement,” and dismissed the circulating reports as inaccurate.
The company also addressed the mistaken identity of another individual who appeared briefly in the video clip.
“Astronomer remains grounded in the values that have guided us from the beginning,” the company noted. “Our leadership is expected to demonstrate professionalism and integrity at all times. In this instance, that standard was not upheld.”
Founded in 2018, Astronomer focuses on data engineering and artificial intelligence solutions.
As the organization navigates the leadership transition, co-founder and Chief Product Officer Pete DeJoy has been appointed interim CEO.
The board has also launched an internal review of the situation and said further updates would be shared in due course.
Meanwhile, Byron’s profile has been removed from the leadership section of the company’s website, although he is still listed as a board member. His LinkedIn page has also been taken offline.