Summary
Daniel Ek, co-founder of Spotify, announced he will step down as CEO on January 1, 2026, but will stay with the company as executive chairman. Gustav Söderström and Alex Norström will become co-CEOs. Spotify has faced recent criticism from artists, partly due to Ek's investment in a military tech company.
Key Facts
- Daniel Ek will stop being Spotify's CEO on January 1, 2026.
- Ek will take on a new role as executive chairman.
- Gustav Söderström and Alex Norström will be co-CEOs.
- Spotify became a global music streaming service since its launch in Sweden in 2006.
- Artists have criticized Spotify over its payments to musicians.
- Some artists are leaving Spotify because of Ek's investment in a tech defense company.
- Ek's venture capital firm invested in Helsing, a military tech startup.
- Helsing stated their technology is used for defense in Europe, specifically focusing on Ukraine.
