Gabor Cselle Co-founder And Former CEO Of Pebble Joins OpenAI
His recent hire by OpenAI signals a shift to AI-driven projects, though specifics remain under wraps.
Gabor Cselle, co-founder and former CEO of Pebble has joined OpenAI to work on a secretive new project. Cselle began at OpenAI in October but only recently confirmed his role in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “Will share more about what I’m working on in due time,” Cselle wrote, expressing his enthusiasm and hinting at early learning in the role.
A seasoned entrepreneur and former Google and Twitter executive, Cselle has a history of successful ventures. He founded reMail, a Y Combinator-backed mobile email startup, which he sold to Google. Later, he created Namo Media, a native advertising startup acquired by Twitter, where he stayed on as a group product manager working on the timeline, user onboarding, and logged-out experiences. Cselle eventually moved to Google’s Area 120 incubator, where he led innovative projects.
In 2022, Cselle launched Pebble (initially branded T2) alongside former Discord engineering head Michael Greer. The social media platform emphasized community safety and moderation, aiming to be a healthier alternative to Twitter. Pebble attracted a dedicated user base and funding from angel investors, including Android co-founder Rich Miner, but faced growth challenges and eventually closed in October. It later resurfaced as a Mastodon instance, keeping its community-oriented ethos alive.
Earlier this year, Cselle joined South Park Commons, a prominent accelerator, where he experimented with generative AI prototypes, including a trivia game inspired by the viral HQ Trivia. His recent hire by OpenAI signals a shift to AI-driven projects, though specifics remain under wraps.
Cselle’s announcement follows a wave of high-profile moves within the AI industry. OpenAI competitor Anthropic recently hired Alex Rodrigues, founder of autonomous trucking company Embark, who will focus on AI safety research. As AI continues to transform industries, companies like OpenAI and Anthropic are securing top talent to stay competitive.
