Daniel Ek, co-founder and CEO of Spotify, is stepping down

Spotify co-founder and CEO Daniel Ek is stepping down, transitioning to executive chairman, effective Jan. 1, 2026.

Co-Presidents Gustav Söderström and Alex Norström will take over as co-CEOS of the streaming service.

Ek co-founded Spotify with Martin Lorentzon in 2006.

Two decades after founding the world's most popular streaming service, Spotify founder and CEO Daniel Ek is stepping down.

Ek announced on Tuesday, Sept. 30 that he is stepping down as CEO, transitioning into a role as executive chairman, effective Jan. 1, 2026. Co-Presidents Gustav Söderström and Alex Norström will take over as co-CEOS, reporting directly to Ek, according to a Spotify news release .

In his letter, Ek said little will change for Spotify staff.

"What changes is my time and focus," Ek wrote.