WeWork hires former Apple exec to manage $20B startup’s software

WeWork hired former Apple, Google and Spotify executive Shiva Rajaraman to oversee its customer app and other software as chief product officer.

Rajaraman joins the co-working company after less than half a year at Apple, where he worked on video strategy. At WeWork, Rajaraman will work on adding new feature to the app, which allows WeWork’s members to interact with each other and book rooms, among other things. He is also tasked with developing new software tools to analyze members’ use of space, the Information reported.

Rajaraman previously served as vice president of product at Spotify and spent eight years at Youtube.

WeWork’s current chief product officer, David Fano, is now received the title of chief product & growth officer and will oversee physical products, sales and marketing.

Although its core business is selling office space, WeWork has advertised itself as a tech company, which helped it raise more than $4 billion from investors. It’s valued at over $20 billion.

The appointment follows a series of leadership shuffles as the firms tries to get into a more corporate shape ahead of a rumored IPO. [The Information] — Konrad Putzier