Mastodon founder Eugen Rochko has officially stepped down as CEO, completing a transition the company first announced in January. Although he’s relinquishing leadership, he will remain an advisor as Mastodon restructures into a European nonprofit.
The move was part of a long-term plan to ensure the decentralized platform stays independent and avoids the pitfalls of being controlled by a single powerful figure—a subtle jab at Elon Musk’s ownership of Twitter/X. On Tuesday, Rochko transferred ownership of the Mastodon trademark and other assets to the nonprofit organization.
In a blog post, he acknowledged that many tech founders end up damaging the very communities they build. “There are too many examples of founder egos sabotaging thriving communities,” he wrote. “While I’d like to think myself an exception, I understand why people would prefer better guardrails.”
Rochko didn’t name names, but his comments echo longstanding controversies around figures such as Mark Zuckerberg, Jack Dorsey, and Steve Huffman, who have all faced criticism for their stewardship of major social networks.
He also admitted the role had taken a personal toll. Leading Mastodon, he said, was “a stressful endeavor,” and one he didn’t feel suited for. Running a major social service without the backing of billionaire-level resources meant dealing with outsized expectations while operating on donations and sponsorships.
He even recalled users joking that he should challenge Musk to a fight during the Musk–Zuckerberg feud—an example, he said, of unrealistic expectations placed on him.
Rochko also referenced a “particularly bad interaction” with a user last summer that accelerated his decision to step back. He added that while avoiding high-profile appearances helped him stay out of drama, it also cost Mastodon some opportunities for visibility.
Under his leadership, Mastodon saw its biggest surge in late 2022, when Musk took over Twitter. Millions searched for alternatives, boosting Mastodon’s active user base to 2.5 million before it later stabilized at around 700,000.
Along with Rochko’s departure, Mastodon introduced a new leadership structure. Felix Hlatky, who has handled the organization’s operations, finance, and legal affairs for five years, will step in as executive director. His goals include growing Mastodon’s user base, improving server management tools, expanding the team, and ensuring long-term financial sustainability.
Rochko will move into a Strategy and Product Advisor role, focusing on long-term vision. Meanwhile, Mastodon is preparing to convert into a Belgian AISBL, an international nonprofit model. The current Mastodon gGmbH entity, based in Germany, had lost its nonprofit status.
