Upstart makes CEO switch

Leadership Transition - Upstart has appointed co-founder Paul Gu as the new CEO, effective May 1, succeeding Dave Girouard, who will remain as executive chair and transition to a special adviser role [1] - Additional leadership changes include Sanjay Datta being named president and chief capital officer, and Andrea Blankmeyer joining as CFO next month [3] Company Background - Upstart was founded in 2012 by Gu, Girouard, and Anna Counselman as a lending platform that assesses creditworthiness using nontraditional variables like education and job history [2] - The company returned to profitability in 2025, reporting approximately $1 billion in revenue, a 64% increase from 2024 [2] Financial Performance - Upstart reported a profit of $18.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2025, compared to a loss of $2.8 million in the same period the previous year [5] - Revenue for the fourth quarter increased by 35%, reaching $296 million [5] Strategic Vision - Gu emphasized the importance of credit as a cornerstone industry and expressed excitement about the company's potential to impact the future [5] - Girouard highlighted the thorough preparation for Gu's succession, indicating a well-considered transition plan [4]