Sami, a Brazilian healthtech startup, has laid off approximately 75 employees, representing about 14% of its 550-person workforce. The layoffs, conducted via video calls, are a response to what the company describes as an "extremely high" monthly cash burn of R$7.5 million. Founder Victor Asseituno confirmed the cuts, stating the company is under pressure from venture capital funds to achieve breakeven and find a path to business sustainability. This move reflects a broader shift in the venture capital market, where the focus has pivoted from aggressive growth to cost reduction and profitability. Sami, which raised R$111 million just six months prior and grew sixfold in the past year, joins a growing list of startups, including unicorns like Quinto Andar and Loft, conducting layoffs amid a global downturn in VC liquidity.
