Brad Lightcap, OpenAI‘s chief operating officer, has left the company to start a new venture. The executive sent an internal message on Tuesday stating it was bittersweet to move on after joining the firm in 2018. He previously served as chief financial officer for four years before transitioning to lead special projects earlier this year. Lightcap noted he built the initial versions of most business teams, including Finance, Legal, and People. He also worked with CEO Sam Altman at venture capital firm Y Combinator before arriving at the lab.
His departure coincides with a broader reshuffle at OpenAI as the company prepares for an initial public offering. In July, No. 2 executive Fidji Simo announced she was stepping down, while other leaders such as Bill Peebles and Kevin Weil have also recently departed. Lightcap hinted at a future project without providing specific details, suggesting it would address challenges needed for mission success in the next period. He expressed continued belief in OpenAI’s goals while noting he would advance the mission from a different vantage point.
- Lightcap joined OpenAI in 2018
- He previously worked at Y Combinator with Sam Altman
- Other senior executives have left recently
