Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger, the co-founders of popular social media platform Instagram left the company on Monday 24th September.

“We’re planning on taking some time off to explore our curiosity and creativity again”

The above quote is the pairs official quote as of their departure. This statement gives the impression Systrom and Krieger have outlived their time at Instagram and want to continue their passion of technology in another form.

Instagram co-founders Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger

However, there has been speculation published by Bloomberg that the two have parted ways with the Instagram/Facebook conglomerate over management issues. Systrom and Krieger were given large creative authority when Instagram was purchased in 2012 for USD$1 billion.

Initially, the co-founders (who are now CEO and CTO) were initially given both creative freedom and management authority, however as the app grew so did Mark Zuckerberg’s interest and control.

According to the Business Insider, there was growing tension between the Instagram management, and that of Facebook. Where Instagram was losing its autonomy and image, and merging too considerably with its parent company.

So as this post comes to an end, how would you feel if you were working in Instagram? Losing the two leaders and visionaries of the app, in favour of a more Facebook style leadership?

I think business’s need to be careful when they lose such significant management figures, as this can drastically change the direction of the app, but also of the company and its profitability. From a business standpoint, how should Facebook respond to this, and should they separate the two  apps, or continue with the path they’re on, and how will this effect their users.

Until next time

– Lawra