OpenAI names former Cursor executive Ismail Elmas as EMEA sales vice-president
In short
OpenAI has appointed Ismail Elmas as vice-president of sales for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, CLS, Jiemian and 36Kr reported on October 8. Elmas previously worked at Cursor, a code automation startup that Musk's SpaceX acquired in August for $60 billion. The outlets said it is the second time since September that OpenAI has recruited a sales executive from the SpaceX group, after hiring former Cursor executive Brian McCarthy as global vice-president of sales last month.
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OpenAI has appointed Ismail Elmas as vice-president of sales for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, CLS reported on October 8, with Jiemian and 36Kr carrying the same report. Elmas previously worked at Cursor, a code automation startup that Musk's SpaceX acquired in August for $60 billion. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
According to the reports, this is the second time since September that OpenAI has recruited a sales executive from the SpaceX group. Last month the company hired former Cursor executive Brian McCarthy as global vice-president of sales. The outlets' headlines described the latest hire as part of OpenAI accelerating its expansion in Europe and other markets. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The three outlets' headlines framed the hire as part of OpenAI accelerating its expansion in Europe and other markets. They also noted it is OpenAI's second sales hire from the SpaceX group since September.
Key facts
- OpenAI appointed Ismail Elmas as vice-president of sales for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Elmas previously worked at Cursor, a code automation startup. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Cursor was acquired by Musk's SpaceX in August for $60 billion. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- It is the second time since September that OpenAI has recruited a sales executive from the SpaceX group. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Last month OpenAI hired former Cursor executive Brian McCarthy as global vice-president of sales. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Nothing is confirmed by two independent outlets yet.
Still unclear
- When Elmas starts in the role and what position he held at Cursor. None of the documents states a start date or his title at Cursor.
- Whether OpenAI itself announced the appointment. The documents report the appointment without quoting OpenAI or naming the original source.
- OpenAI appointed Ismail Elmas as vice-president of sales for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Reported by a single source so far
- Elmas previously worked at Cursor, which Musk's SpaceX acquired in August for $60 billion. Reported by a single source so far
- Last month OpenAI hired former Cursor executive Brian McCarthy as global vice-president of sales. Reported by a single source so far