Layoffs in United States

Lambda School, an online coding bootcamp, laid off 19 employees in April 2020 due to market uncertainty from the COVID-19 pandemic, which impacted hiring and the financial markets crucial to its income-share agreement model. The layoffs also stemmed from a strategic shift to prioritize quality and student experience over aggressive growth goals for the year. Additionally, the eight-member executive team, including CEO Austen Allred, took a 15% pay cut. The company, backed by Y Combinator and launched in 2017, faced prior controversies over its educational model and regulatory compliance. The exact proportion of staff affected was not disclosed, but the move reflects broader challenges in the edtech and startup sectors during the economic downturn.

Casper laid off 78 employees representing approximately 21% of its workforce on 2020-04-21.

In April 2020, creative platform Patreon laid off 30 employees, representing 13% of its workforce, as part of a restructuring to navigate economic uncertainty during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite reporting an uptick in new creators and increased patron support in March, the company cited the need to ensure long-term sustainability. Patreon, a startup in the creator economy, noted that while its financial position was strong, the decision aimed to prepare for prolonged market challenges.

Protocol, the tech-focused news site launched by Politico's parent company, laid off 13 employees on April 21, 2020, just 11 weeks after its debut. The layoffs affected both editorial and business teams, reducing the staff from 35 to 22, a cut of about 37%. Leadership cited the profound economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic as the reason, forcing a rapid adjustment despite confidence in the long-term mission. This move highlights the severe financial pressures the coronavirus placed on media companies, even newly launched ventures in the tech journalism industry backed by established players.

RealSelf laid off 40 employees representing approximately 13% of its workforce on 2020-04-21.

LendingClub, a major U.S. online personal loan provider, announced layoffs of 460 employees, representing about 30% of its workforce. The cuts, disclosed in a regulatory filing, are a response to the COVID-19 pandemic's severe impact on consumer and small business demand for loans. CEO Scott Sanborn cited the need to realign staffing with the current economic environment, with executives taking salary reductions as part of the cost-saving measures. The fintech company, which had a prominent tech IPO in 2014, is among several online lenders facing challenges due to the economic slowdown.

In April 2020, Houzz, a $4 billion-valued online platform for home renovation and design, laid off 155 employees, representing about 10% of its workforce. The company also implemented executive salary cuts. This decision was driven by the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its core business of pro subscriptions, as home remodeling professionals faced widespread project delays and cancellations due to social distancing measures. The layoffs followed a previous restructuring in March 2020, when Houzz let go of 10 employees and discontinued its in-house furniture line. The company, operating in the home services and e-commerce industry, cited the need to align strategic investments with the challenging economic environment affecting small businesses in its sector.

In April 2020, amid the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, the San Francisco-based outdoor travel startup Hipcamp conducted a significant round of layoffs due to a sharp drop in bookings as shelter-in-place orders took effect. According to a report from an employee, approximately 60% of the company's workforce was let go over a two-week period, though Hipcamp disputed that specific percentage, stating the actual figure was significantly lower. The layoffs were a direct response to the economic uncertainties and travel restrictions that crippled the industry. By August 2020, however, the company had rebounded as outdoor activities gained popularity, even rehiring some previously laid-off employees and expanding through the acquisition of the Australian startup Youcamp.

Primary care startup Forward laid off approximately 10 employees, representing 3% of its roughly 350-person workforce, in April 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic. The cuts primarily affected recruiting and expansion roles, as the company adjusted to unexpected changes during the health crisis. Despite the layoffs, Forward remained on the front lines, providing COVID-19 testing and care at its clinics in cities like San Francisco, New York, and Washington, D.C. The venture-backed startup operates on a membership model, charging $150 per month for primary care services without accepting insurance.

ConsenSys laid off 91 employees representing approximately 14% of its workforce on 2020-04-20.

Zum, a children's transportation service based in the SF Bay Area, laid off at least 28 employees across all departments earlier this week. The layoffs come as school closures have negatively impacted demand for its services, a challenge also faced by rival HopSkipDrive. While the exact percentage of its workforce affected is not specified, the cuts reflect broader difficulties in the edtech and transportation sectors amid shifting operational environments.

In April 2020, the Santa Monica-based digital advertising firm GumGum laid off 25% of its workforce, affecting approximately 90 employees out of a total of around 360. The layoffs impacted both its core contextual advertising business and its sports analytics division. CEO Phil Schraeder cited the severe economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused a significant drop in digital ad revenue across the industry. Despite having secured $22 million in Series D funding just two months prior in February, the company stated the cuts were a necessary adjustment to weather the volatile market and ensure long-term stability. This move reflected broader challenges in the adtech sector, where many firms were forced to reforecast revenues downward due to the crisis.

Kickstarter plans layoffs after new projects on the site drop off by 35 percent, indicating a restructuring effort due to decreased project submissions.

Motif Investing, an online investing platform, announced its shutdown on April 18, 2020, effectively laying off its entire workforce. While the exact number of employees affected was not specified, the closure was attributed to the economic pressures exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic. Operating in the fintech industry, Motif offered thematic and socially responsible investment portfolios. The company's decision to cease operations reflects the broader challenges faced by financial technology startups during the market volatility and uncertainty of early 2020.

Greenhouse, a New York-based company that provides applicant tracking software for recruiting, laid off 120 employees, representing 28% of its workforce, on Friday. This move reflects broader challenges in the recruiting tech sector, coming just a week after competitor Lever cut 86 employees. The company is offering affected staff 8 weeks of severance and 8 months of healthcare coverage.

Sweetgreen, a fast-casual salad chain in the food and beverage industry, laid off 10% of its headquarters staff in late March 2020, affecting 35 employees out of 350 at its Culver City, Los Angeles office. The layoffs were a response to plunging revenue caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which severely impacted in-store dining. Despite being a tech-forward company with strong online ordering, the broader restaurant industry devastation led to these cuts, which were executed abruptly, leaving employees surprised after earlier assurances of job security.

Dispatch representing approximately 38% of its workforce on 2020-04-17.

In April 2020, the Tor Project, a nonprofit focused on privacy software, was forced to lay off 13 employees due to the severe financial impact of the COVID-19 crisis. This reduction brought its team down to a core of 22 people, meaning approximately 37% of its workforce was cut. The organization stated these difficult steps were necessary to ensure its survival and its continued ability to provide the Tor Browser and critical censorship circumvention services. Despite the layoffs, Tor reaffirmed its dedication to its mission, emphasizing the growing urgency for privacy and secure online access during the global pandemic.

BitGo representing approximately 12% of its workforce on 2020-04-17.

Grailed, an online marketplace for men's clothing based in New York City, laid off at least 12 employees across all departments last week. While the exact percentage of its workforce affected is unclear, the cuts reflect broader challenges in the tech and e-commerce sectors as companies adjust to economic pressures. The layoffs were confirmed by a high-ranking HR employee, highlighting the ongoing trend of restructuring within the industry.

CarGurus, an online car marketplace, laid off 130 employees last month, representing 13% of its workforce. The company cited the impact of stay-at-home orders, which forced many car dealers to close and effectively paused vehicle sales. Despite efforts to reduce marketing expenses and offer significant discounts to support dealer partners, CarGurus was unable to avoid these staff reductions. The layoffs affected all departments of the company.

Purse representing approximately 100% of its workforce on 2020-04-16.

LumenAd, a marketing technology company, has conducted a reduction in force (RIF), as evidenced by a spreadsheet listing numerous affected employees seeking new roles. The document includes at least 100 rows, suggesting a significant layoff event impacting software developers, data scientists, and marketing automation specialists, primarily based in Missoula, Montana. While the exact percentage of the workforce affected is not specified, the scale indicates a major restructuring. The context points to broader economic challenges in the tech and ad-tech industries, with these layoffs likely occurring recently, given the employees are actively searching for new positions.

SquadVoice on 2020-04-16.

Kodiak Robotics laid off 15 employees representing approximately 20% of its workforce on 2020-04-15.

View, a 13-year-old dynamic glass company based in Milpitas, California, has conducted layoffs affecting an unspecified number of employees, including at its plant in Olive Branch, Mississippi, as reported in April 2020. While the exact scale of the job cuts is not disclosed, former employees cited the pandemic as the reason, with one noting the company "really cleaned house," impacting several long-time staff. View, which had raised $1.1 billion from SoftBank's Vision Fund in 2018, operates in the building materials and green technology industry, focusing on energy-efficient glass for commercial real estate. The layoffs reflect broader challenges during the COVID-19 crisis, though the company's total workforce and percentage affected remain unclear.

Trove Recommerce, a company that assists retail brands with their resale programs, laid off 13 employees last week, affecting all departments. The layoffs were confirmed by a company executive, though the specific reason was not disclosed. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Trove operates in the retail technology and recommerce industry, focusing on helping brands manage second-hand sales. This reduction represents a significant workforce adjustment for the company, reflecting broader challenges or strategic shifts within the tech and retail sectors.

Carta, a fintech company providing equity management software, laid off 161 employees last week, representing 16% of its workforce across all departments. The layoffs were part of a restructuring effort, with the company citing a need to streamline operations. Affected employees are receiving a generous severance package, including three months of pay and healthcare coverage through the end of the year. The company operates globally with offices in San Francisco, Salt Lake City, and Rio de Janeiro.

Opendoor, a San Francisco-based startup that operates an online platform for buying and selling homes, laid off 600 employees yesterday, representing 35% of its workforce. The cuts affected all departments and mark one of the largest layoffs among pre-IPO companies since the pandemic began, following only Toast's recent reduction of 1,300 staff. The company cited broader economic challenges as it scales back operations, offering affected employees eight weeks of pay and 16 weeks of health insurance reimbursement. This move reflects the significant pressures facing the real estate tech sector amid shifting market conditions.

Zume, a troubled SoftBank-backed robotics startup, laid off approximately 200 employees on April 15, 2020, representing two-thirds of its workforce after earlier cuts in January. This drastic reduction left the company with about 100 staffers, down from nearly 1,000 at its peak when it was valued over $1 billion. The layoffs were driven by failed funding efforts, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused investors to withdraw and disrupted supply chains and customer contracts. The cuts affected two major divisions, including Zume Forward and the Gigaranch team, shifting the company's focus to compostable food packaging amid financial struggles and executive departures.

In April 2020, action camera manufacturer GoPro announced a significant restructuring, laying off over 200 employees, which amounted to 20% of its workforce. The company, impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic's disruption to its global retail distribution, is shifting to a direct-to-consumer business model centered on GoPro.com to improve margins. This strategic pivot includes reducing office space in five regions and cutting operating expenses, targeting a $100 million reduction in 2020. Founder and CEO Nicholas Woodman also forewent his salary for the year, with the board receiving no cash compensation, as GoPro withdrew its earnings guidance for the first half of 2020 amid these changes.

Dude Solutions, a software company providing operations management solutions, has laid off 20% of its workforce due to the severe economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The company's leadership announced the difficult decision after a month of crisis management, which included cutting non-essential spending and freezing hiring. The reduction was deemed necessary to extend the business runway and ensure long-term stability. While the exact number of employees affected wasn't specified, the layoffs were described as heartbreaking, with the company providing severance and support to those impacted. The announcement was made in early 2020 as the global crisis unfolded, emphasizing the pandemic's widespread effect on businesses.

VSCO, a popular photography mobile app, laid off 45 employees yesterday, representing 30% of its workforce. The CEO cited the need to transition toward a self-sustaining business model as the reason for the cuts. The company is offering a minimum of seven weeks of severance pay, two months of health coverage, and job placement assistance to those affected, most of whom are based in the San Francisco Bay Area. This restructuring reflects broader challenges in the tech industry as companies adjust to economic pressures.

In April 2020, amid the economic turmoil of the COVID-19 pandemic, luxury consignment retailer The RealReal announced significant workforce reductions. The publicly traded online platform laid off 10% of its employees and placed an additional 15% on furlough. These measures, part of a broader cost-cutting strategy that included executive pay reductions and a hiring freeze, were aimed at reducing operating expenses by approximately $70 million to preserve liquidity. The furloughs affected staff across e-commerce centers, retail stores, consignment offices, sales, and headquarters. CEO Julie Wainwright stated the moves were necessary to weather the crisis and position the company for a strong recovery once the economy stabilized, highlighting the company's focus on its balance sheet and long-term operational scaling.

Envoy laid off 58 employees representing approximately 30% of its workforce on 2020-04-14.

In April 2020, amid the economic turmoil of the coronavirus pandemic, mobile gaming marketplace Skillz laid off 21 employees, including senior analyst Alexander Muhr. The San Francisco-based startup, which had been optimistic about its future and a potential IPO, was among the many tech companies forced to cut costs as the crisis hit. While the exact percentage of staff affected is not specified, the layoffs reflect the broader squeeze felt by startups fearing funding shortages and revenue declines. Despite the upheaval, many laid-off tech workers, including those from Skillz, reported continued recruiter interest, offering a glimmer of hope in an otherwise challenging job market marked by widespread unemployment filings and hiring freezes across the industry.

DataStax, an enterprise software startup valued at $967 million, laid off approximately 15 to 20 employees in the second week of April 2020. This marks the company's third round of job cuts since new CEO Chet Kapoor took over in October 2019, following layoffs in December and February, and is part of a broader trend of restructuring over the past year. The recent reductions, which primarily affected sales and solutions engineering roles, were attributed by Kapoor to the company not growing quickly enough to justify its headcount. These cuts come amid leadership changes and a shift in strategy toward appealing more to developers, following a period where DataStax had been reportedly preparing for an IPO in spring 2019.

Groupon, the online marketplace for local deals, announced on Tuesday that it is laying off 2,800 employees, which represents 44% of its total workforce. The cuts span all departments, including a significant number of engineering roles. The company cited a "material deterioration" in its business, largely due to the widespread closures of local businesses it partners with, as the primary reason for this drastic restructuring. This major reduction highlights the severe impact of the economic downturn on the tech and e-commerce industry, affecting a company of its scale.

Zoox laid off 100 employees representing approximately 10% of its workforce on 2020-04-13.

Geekwire laid off 5 employees representing approximately 31% of its workforce on 2020-04-10.

Meow Wolf, the Santa Fe-based immersive arts and entertainment company, laid off 201 employees and furloughed an additional 56, representing a significant portion of its workforce. The company, which employs nearly 200 remaining staff, made these cuts in response to the severe economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. With its flagship House of Eternal Return installation closed and major events like the Taos Vortex festival canceled, the company faced a critical revenue crunch. The layoffs, announced in late April 2020, affected employees across all locations, including upcoming projects in Denver, Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Washington DC. Meow Wolf cited the need to ensure the company's survival and future success, providing severance packages and support to affected staff.

NuoDB laid off 20 employees representing approximately 29% of its workforce on 2020-04-10.

Built In laid off 28 employees on 2020-04-10.

Frontdesk, a short-term rental and hospitality startup, laid off 35 employees, which represents 16% of its total workforce. The difficult decision was made in response to the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the travel and hospitality industry. The layoffs, announced by CEO Jesse DePinto, affected a range of roles including digital marketers, data analysts, and hospitality cleaners. These employees were credited with contributing to the company's significant growth. The move reflects broader economic challenges faced by the sector during this period.

Clinc laid off 40 employees representing approximately 32% of its workforce on 2020-04-09.

Yelp, the prominent local business reviews platform, announced significant layoffs last week, affecting 1,000 employees, which represents 17% of its workforce. The company also placed an additional 1,100 staff on furlough. This move comes as Yelp faces a sharp 64% decline in customer interest for restaurants since March 10, highlighting the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its core business. The layoffs spanned all departments, including engineering, underscoring the broad restructuring effort by the San Francisco-based tech company to navigate the economic downturn.

In April 2020, Domo, an American Fork-based cloud software company, laid off approximately 90 employees, representing about 10% of its workforce. The layoffs were a direct result of the economic uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. CEO Josh James stated that while the business was performing well at the time, the company needed to take proactive measures to ensure long-term stability and continue serving its customers. Despite the workforce reduction, Domo was actively demonstrating its value during the crisis, notably by building a data-driven command center for the state of Utah to aid pandemic response efforts.

Matterport, a company specializing in 3D imaging technology, laid off approximately 90 employees earlier this month, which represents about 34% of its workforce. The cuts impacted all departments across its offices in the SF Bay Area, Chicago, and London. This significant reduction reflects broader challenges in the tech industry as companies adjust their operational strategies amid economic uncertainties.

OneTrust laid off 150 employees representing approximately 10% of its workforce on 2020-04-09.

CipherTrace on 2020-04-09.