Pinterest Co-Founder Paul Sciarra Leaves, Ben Silbermann Officially Takes On CEO Role

Well, big changes on the horizon for Pinterest!

We’ve confirmed with our own independent sources this Startup Grind report that Pinterest co-founder Paul Sciarra is leaving the startup. And it’s complicated: While Sciarra, who took a six week hiatus from pinning and company matters a few weeks back, is listed on the company’s SEC documents as CEO, it is co-founder Ben Silbermann who through his actions unofficially took on that role.

Silberman was so convincing that press had already bestowed on him the CEO title, though the truth is that both he and Sciarra co-ran the company until last Friday. Pinterest’s third co-founder Evan Sharp focuses on product and design along with colleague Justin Edmund.

With Sciarra’s departure, Silbermann will become Pinterest’s official (and only) CEO. We’re hearing that Sciarra isn’t clear on what he’ll do next, and may be considering an EIR role at a top tier VC firm. Pinterest has thus far raised $35.7 million from Andreessen Horowitz, Bessemer, Ron Conway and others, so we’re sure he’ll have the pick of the litter.

Update: Sciarra’s now confirmed that he’s becoming entrepreneur-in-residence at Andreessen Horowitz.

We’re also hearing that the Pinterest team has been heads down during the past couple of weeks, preparing for some modest short-term product launches as well as more ambitious long term ones. Is the long rumored iPad app and public API fast approaching?

We’ll keep you posted!

Image via @8en