5 famous tech CEOs who were ousted from their own companies

In today’s era, the role of a corporate leader is as unstable as it is prestigious. However, in the tech world, this volatility is even sharper.

These leaders are not only expected to build billion-dollar companies but also navigate turbulent markets, demanding boards, and the ever-watchful eyes of investors and the public.

While CEOs are often ousted due to missed financial targets, internal power struggles, and governance conflicts, some are even fired over personal controversies.

Below, we have listed five renowned tech CEOs who were dramatically pushed out of their own companies.

1. Steve Jobs, Apple (1985)

In one of the most famous boardroom battles in history, Steve Jobs, the visionary co-founder of Apple, was ousted from his own company in 1985.

Jobs clashed with then-CEO John Sculley and Apple’s board over strategy and management style. 

While the company struggled with product sales, Jobs’ unconventional leadership style became a flashpoint.

Jobs went on to establish NeXT and acquire Pixar, before making a triumphant return to Apple in 1997.

His second tenure transformed Apple into one of the world’s most valuable and influential companies with products like the iMac, iPod, iPhone, and iPad.

2. Martin Eberhard, Tesla (2007)

Martin Eberhard, one of Tesla’s founders, envisioned a future of stylish electric vehicles (EVs). 

His relationship with co-founder Elon Musk, who had invested heavily, further complicated matters. 

In 2007, the board pushed Eberhard aside, with Musk eventually assuming full control.

Though Eberhard sued Musk for allegedly distorting his role in Tesla’s history, he later dropped the case.

3. Sam Altman, OpenAI (2023)

It has been nearly two years since one of the most dramatic incidents i.e., the abrupt firing and sudden reinstatement of Sam Altman as CEO of OpenAI.

On November 17, 2023, the board suddenly fired Altman, citing a lack of transparency. 

The move sent shockwaves through Silicon Valley and the whole tech world. The official reason was that he had not been “consistently candid” in his communications with the board.

However, five days later, on November 22, Altman was reinstated as CEO after pressure from employees, investors, and OpenAI’s most important partner, Microsoft.

4. Jack Dorsey, Twitter (now X) (2008)

Jack Dorsey, who co-founded Twitter in 2006, found himself ousted from the very company he built just two years later.

Fellow co-founder Ev Williams removed him as CEO after concerns about his leadership and operational focus.

Yet Dorsey’s story did not end there as he went on to establish Square (now Block), a fintech giant valued in the billions.

Later, in 2015, Dorsey was invited back to Twitter as a permanent CEO,

5. Andy Byron, Astronomer (2025)

Not every CEO exit comes from financial struggles or boardroom conflicts. Andy Byron, CEO of the data operations startup Astronomer, resigned after a video of him at a Coldplay concert went viral.

The clip showed Byron with his arm around the company’s Chief People Officer on a kiss cam, sparking a storm of online speculation and backlash.

Shortly after, Astronomer announced his resignation, with cofounder Pete DeJoy stepping in as interim CEO.