OpenAI Snags Twitter Challenger Pebble's Co-Founder for Secret Project!

In a significant move in the tech world, Gabor Cselle, the co-founder of the now-defunct Twitter competitor Pebble, has joined the ranks of OpenAI to tackle an undisclosed project shrouded in secrecy. Cselle confirmed his new role in a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), where he expressed his excitement about the journey ahead. "Will share more about what I’m working on in due time," he teased. "Learning a lot already."

A Remarkable Journey in Tech

Cselle's journey in the tech industry is quite remarkable. He kicked off his entrepreneurial career with reMail, a mobile email startup that was accepted into the prestigious Y Combinator accelerator. The company was later acquired by Google, further solidifying Cselle's reputation as a repeat founder. Subsequent ventures included Namo Media, a native advertising startup that found a home under Twitter before the social media platform was acquired by Elon Musk.

Experience at Twitter and Google

Before his adventures in startups, Cselle held a prominent position at Twitter as a group product manager, where he developed key features, including user onboarding and optimizing the home timeline. After leaving Twitter in 2016, he transitioned to Google, where he contributed to innovative projects at the company’s Area 120 incubator.

Pegging New Ventures with Pebble

Cselle's latest venture, Pebble, launched in 2022 alongside Michael Greer, previously the head of engineering at Discord. Pebble aimed to create a safer and more moderated microblogging service, garnering a dedicated yet niche audience and attracting investments from notable figures, including Rich Miner, co-founder of Android. However, despite initial enthusiasm, Pebble faced challenges in achieving sustained growth and eventually ceased operations in October of last year, resurfacing as a Mastodon instance shortly thereafter.

Exploring AI at South Park Commons

In May, Cselle connected with the South Park Commons accelerator, where he explored various generative AI ideas, including a project paying tribute to the wildly popular HQ Trivia game.

Anticipation in the Tech Community

As he embarks on this new chapter at OpenAI, the tech community eagerly anticipates the innovative developments that Cselle will contribute to in the realm of artificial intelligence. Could his experiences at Pebble and Twitter hold the key to a game-changing announcement for OpenAI? Stay tuned!