Instagram co-founders Kevin Systrome and Mike Krieger resign to explore creativity

The photo-sharing giant Instagram on Monday said its co-founders Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger have resigned as Chief Executive Officer and Chief Technical Officer respectively. The Instagram was reportedly purchased by Facebook in 2012 for $1 billion.

Kevin Systrom started the photo-sharing platform in the year 2010 and continued to run it even after it was taken over by Facebook in 2012. The reason behind their is, both Kevin Systrom and Krieger planned to take some time off and explore the curiosity and creativity again.

“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,” Systrom added.

They also said in a statement, “We remain excited about the future of Instagram and Facebook in the coming years as we transit from leaders to two users in a billion. We look forward to watching what these innovative and extraordinary companies do next.”

Mike Krieger took to Twitter and wrote, “Over 8 years ago, Kevin and I started Instagram, hoping to build something that would bring out people’s creativity and spirit for exploration. Now it’s time for the next chapter. A huge thank you to everyone in the community who we’ve met along the way.”

Over 8 years ago, Kevin and I started Instagram, hoping to build something that would bring out people’s creativity and spirit for exploration. Now it’s time for the next chapter. A huge thank you to everyone in the community who we’ve met along the way. https://t.co/9Omyj6VHbe

— Mike Krieger (@mikeyk) September 25, 2018

Though there had been reports suggesting tension brewing between the founders of Instagram and Facebook from sometime, but the resignation of Instagram co-founder’s has exposed the differences between the two. While, in a statement, Facebook founder Zuckerberg described a pair as ‘extraordinary product leaders’.

“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,” Zuckerberg said.

The departure of Jan Koum, Co-founder of Facebook-owned, Whatsapp has put all the responsibility to Adam Mosseri. He was earlier responsible to oversee Facebook’s news feed and has spent a decade working closely with Facebook founder, Zuckerberg. He has been nominated as Instagram’s head of product. Instagram’s global revenue is expected to exceed $8 billion this year.

“I see Mark (Zuckerberg) practice a tremendous amount of restraint in giving us the freedom to run, but the reason why I think he gives us the freedom to run is that when we run, it typically works,” Systrom told Recode last June.

Also read: Facebook launches its video service globally to rival Google’s YouTube