BOSTON, July 19, 2025 — Astronomer, a leading DataOps platform, announced today that CEO Andy Byron has stepped down following a viral video showing him in an intimate moment with Chief People Officer Kristin Cabot at a Coldplay concert in Boston on Wednesday.
The company issued a statement confirming Byron’s resignation: “Andy Byron has tendered his resignation, and the Board of Directors has accepted. The Board will immediately begin a search for our next Chief Executive, with Cofounder and Chief Product Officer Pete DeJoy serving as interim CEO.”The incident occurred during a Coldplay concert when a kiss cam displayed Byron, who is married with children, embracing Cabot on the venue’s big screen.
In a post on Linkedin, the software startup said: “Andy Byron has tendered his resignation, and the Board of Directors has accepted.”
Byron quickly hid from view, prompting lead singer Chris Martin to quip, “Either they’re having an affair or they’re just very shy.” A video of the moment, captured by a concertgoer, spread rapidly online, igniting widespread attention.Astronomer had announced a $93 million funding round in May, led by Bain Ventures with participation from Salesforce Ventures and others.
On Friday, the company placed Byron on administrative leave and initiated a formal investigation into the incident.In its statement, Astronomer emphasized its commitment to high standards: “Before this week, we were recognized as a pioneer in the DataOps space, enabling data teams to drive modern analytics and production AI. Our leaders are expected to uphold the highest standards of conduct and accountability, a standard that was not met recently.”The company will now focus on its leadership transition while continuing to advance its mission in the data orchestration industry.
