Lightricks

Jerusalem-based unicorn Lightricks has laid off 85 employees, representing about 15% of its workforce, as part of a major internal reorganization announced on October 27, 2025. The company, which specializes in creative software and AI, now employs approximately 465 people, down significantly from its peak of nearly 700 in 2022. This marks the third round of layoffs for Lightricks in recent years. The restructuring is centered on refocusing the business around artificial intelligence, particularly following the launch of its new AI video generation model. While cutting roles across various departments, Lightricks is simultaneously hiring 30 new employees to bolster its AI division, which will become its largest team. The company maintains that the move is strategic, aimed at prioritizing AI innovation over its legacy products like the photo-editing app Facetune.

Israeli unicorn Lightricks is laying off approximately 70 employees, representing 12% of its 600-person global workforce, as announced in July 2024. This marks the company's second round of layoffs in two years and is part of a strategic shift to focus on generative AI products for enterprises, such as its LTX Studio video creation tool. The cuts primarily affect the consumer applications division, where products failed to meet growth targets. Concurrently, Lightricks plans to hire dozens of new AI experts, emphasizing recruitment in Israel, as it pivots its core operations toward the competitive enterprise AI market.

Israeli mobile app developer Lightricks, known for its Facetune selfie editing tool, laid off 80 employees on July 4, 2022, with 70 of those cuts occurring in Israel. This represents a 12% reduction of its global workforce, which totals 680 people across Israel, the US, China, and the UK. The company cited the global economic crisis and a need to ensure long-term stability as reasons for the layoffs, expressing concern that its subscription-based apps might be viewed as luxury products during a potential recession. The cuts were broad but focused on marketing and operations, as Lightricks shifts its strategy toward developing tools for content creators and influencers, moving away from reliance on general consumer app store sales. The company is assisting affected employees in finding new jobs.