Brad Lightcap, OpenAI's longtime COO, is leaving to 'start something new'

Brad Lightcap, OpenAI's longtime COO who was most recently leading special projects, is leaving the company to start something new. He announced the departure in an internal message, hinting at a future venture without revealing specifics.

Lightcap joined OpenAI in 2018, served as CFO for four years and as COO from 2022 until early this year, when he transitioned to special projects. His departure comes amid an executive shakeup as OpenAI prepares for a major IPO.

The loss of a veteran executive responsible for building OpenAI's operational and business teams is a significant leadership change at a critical moment, as the company prepares for a market-moving IPO and deepens its transition to a public-facing organization.