Tech Industry Sees Continued Layoffs in 2025, Impacting Over 22,000 Workers So Far

The tech industry continues to face significant job cuts in 2025, with more than 22,000 layoffs reported so far, a staggering 16,084 of which occurred in February alone. According to Layoffs.fyi, a total of 150,000 jobs were cut across 549 companies in 2024, and the trend shows no signs of slowing down as businesses restructure and embrace AI and automation. April Layoffs Expedia: The travel company announced it is laying off about 3% of its employees, primarily from mid-level positions in the product and technology teams. This follows earlier cuts from the marketing team in March. Cars24: The India-based e-commerce platform for pre-owned vehicles cut 200 jobs from its product and technology divisions as part of a broader restructuring plan. Meta: Meta's Reality Labs division, responsible for VR and wearable tech, is laying off over 100 employees. The cuts include developers working on VR experiences for the Quest headsets and hardware operations staff. Intel: In a major restructuring, Intel plans to lay off more than 21,000 employees, or roughly 20% of its workforce, ahead of its Q1 earnings call. The new CEO, Lip-Bu Tan, aims to improve the company's financial health. General Motors (GM): GM is laying off 200 employees at its Factory Zero facility in Detroit, which produces electric vehicles. The cuts are attributed to a slowdown in the EV market. Zopper: The India-based insurtech startup let go of around 100 employees, mostly from its tech and product teams. Turo: The car rental startup announced it would reduce its workforce by 150 positions due to economic uncertainty and a decision not to proceed with an IPO. GupShup: The conversational AI company, which had a valuation of $1.4 billion in 2021, laid off 200 employees. This is the second round of layoffs in five months. Forto: The German logistics startup cut 200 jobs, or about one-third of its workforce, primarily from the sales department. Wicresoft: Microsoft's decision to end outsourcing after-sales support led to the closure of Wicresoft's China operations, affecting 2,000 employees. Five9: The contact solutions provider is cutting 123 jobs, or about 4% of its workforce, to focus on key strategic areas and improve profitability. Google: The tech giant is planning to cut hundreds of jobs in its platforms and devices division, including roles related to Android, Pixel phones, and the Chrome browser. Automattic: The developer of WordPress.com is laying off 16% of its workforce, or more than 270 employees, across various departments to enhance efficiency. Canva: The design platform laid off 10 to 12 technical writers, nine months after encouraging employees to use generative AI tools. Canva had around 5,500 employees as of 2024. March Layoffs Northvolt: The troubled Swedish battery manufacturer filed for bankruptcy and immediately laid off 2,800 employees, or 62% of its total workforce. Block: The fintech company let go of 931 employees, or approximately 8% of its workforce, to reorganize and optimize operations. Co-founder Jack Dorsey noted this was not financially driven but a strategic move. ** Brightcove:** The video technology company was acquired by Bending Spoons and subsequently laid off 198 employees, or about two-thirds of its U.S. workforce. Acxiom: The data management company is owned by IPG and will lay off 130 employees, representing 3.5% of its total workforce of 3,700 people. Sequoia Capital: The venture capital firm is closing its Washington, D.C., office and laying off its policy team, affecting three full-time employees. Siemens: The global industrial giant plans to eliminate 5,600 jobs in its automation and electric-vehicle charging businesses to enhance competitiveness. HelloFresh: The meal kit service is laying off 273 employees and closing its distribution center in Grand Prairie, Texas, consolidating operations to a site in Irving. Otorio: The cybersecurity startup, recently acquired by Armis, cut 45 employees, more than half of its workforce, in a cost-reduction effort. ActiveFence: The cybersecurity firm is laying off 22 employees, or 7%, as it streamlines operations. Most affected employees are based in Israel. D-ID: The AI startup plans to cut 22 jobs, nearly a quarter of its workforce, following a strategic partnership with Microsoft. NASA: The space agency is shutting down several offices, including its Office of Technology, Policy, and Strategy and DEI branch in the Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity, aligning with Elon Musk's DOGE initiative. Zonar Systems: While specific numbers are unknown, the company reportedly laid off staff, as indicated by LinkedIn posts from former employees. Wayfair: The online retailer is cutting 340 technology division employees in a cost-saving restructuring effort. HPE: Hewlett Packard Enterprise plans to cut 2,500 jobs, or 5% of its workforce, following a 19% decline in its stock price. TikTok: The social media platform will lay off up to 300 employees in Dublin, accounting for about 10% of its workforce in Ireland. LiveRamp: The data connectivity firm is cutting 65 employees, or 5%, to improve profitability and growth. Ola Electric: The Indian electric vehicle company is reportedly planning to lay off more than 1,000 employees and contractors as part of a cost-cutting initiative. Rec Room: The gaming startup is reducing its headcount by 16% to become more efficient and focused. ANS Commerce: The e-commerce platform, acquired by Flipkart in 2022, has ceased operations, though the exact number of affected employees is unknown. February Layoffs HP: Hewlett-Packard announced a major restructuring plan, "Future Now," that will lead to up to 2,000 job cuts, aiming to save $300 million. GrubHub: Following its sale to Wonder Group for $650 million, GrubHub laid off 500 employees, affecting more than 20% of its workforce. Autodesk: The design software company is laying off 1,350 employees, or 9% of its workforce, to reshape its GTM model and reduce costs. Google: Google is planning to cut jobs in its People Operations and cloud organizations, offering a voluntary exit program to U.S.-based employees in the People Operations division. Nautilus: The biotech company reduced its headcount by 25 employees, or 16%, as it prepares to launch a commercial version of its proteome analysis platform in 2026. eBay: The online marketplace is reportedly cutting a few dozen employees in its Israel office, potentially affecting 10% of its local workforce. Starbucks: The coffee giant is cutting 1,100 tech jobs as part of a reorganization, outsourcing some of its tech work to third parties. Commercetools: The headless commerce platform laid off dozens of employees, including around 10% in a single day, after failing to meet sales growth targets. Dayforce: The payroll and HR software company is cutting 5% of its workforce to increase profitability. Expedia: Expedia conducted additional layoffs, though the specific number is unknown, following larger cuts in the previous month. Skybox Security: The cybersecurity company ceased operations and laid off its entire workforce of roughly 300 people after selling its business to Tufin. HerMD: The women’s healthcare startup is shutting down, affecting an unknown number of employees, after raising $18 million in 2023. Zendesk: The customer service platform cut 51 jobs at its San Francisco headquarters, following an 8% reduction in 2023. Vendease: The Nigerian fintech startup laid off 120 employees, or 44% of its workforce, in its second round of layoffs within five months. Logically: The augmented writing startup is laying off dozens of employees to ensure long-term success and sustainability. Blue Origin: The aerospace company is cutting about 1,000 jobs, or 10%, primarily from engineering and program management roles. Redfin: The real estate company will cut 450 jobs between February and July 2025, completing its restructuring by fall. Sophos: The cybersecurity firm is laying off 6% of its workforce, or about 420 employees, following its acquisition of Secureworks for $859 million. Zepz: The payments company is cutting nearly 200 jobs and closing operations in Poland and Kenya. Unity: The game engine developer reportedly conducted another round of layoffs, though the number of affected employees is unknown. JustWorks: The payroll and benefits company laid off nearly 200 employees, or 8% of its workforce, citing potential adverse economic events. Bird: The micromobility company is cutting 120 jobs, or about one-third of its workforce, just a year after a previous layoff round. January Layoffs Cushion: The fintech startup closed operations, affecting an unknown number of employees, after failing to secure a buyer. Employer.com has a potential offer to acquire the company post-shutdown. Placer.ai: The location data analytics company laid off 150 employees, or 18% of its workforce, to achieve profitability. Amazon: Amazon cut dozens of jobs from its communications department to streamline processes and improve efficiency. Stripe: The fintech giant is laying off 300 people, or 2% of its workforce, despite planning to grow its headcount by 17%. Textio: The augmented writing startup laid off 15 employees as part of a restructuring effort. Pocket FM: The audio company laid off 75 employees to ensure long-term sustainability, following a previous round of cuts in July 2024. Aurora Solar: The solar design software company plans to cut 58 employees due to ongoing macroeconomic challenges and industry uncertainty. Meta: Meta is laying off 5% of its workforce, focusing on "low performers." This affects about 3,600 employees based on its latest headcount. Wayfair: The online retailer will cut up to 730 technology jobs, or 3% of its workforce, as it exits operations in Germany and focuses on physical retailers. Pandion: The delivery startup is shutting down, affecting 63 employees, after an unsuccessful attempt to find a buyer. Icon: The construction and manufacturing company is laying off 114 employees to realign its teams, focusing on a robotic printing system. Altruist: The fintech company eliminated 37 jobs, or 10% of its workforce, despite plans for aggressive hiring. Aqua Security: The cybersecurity firm is cutting dozens of employees across its global markets to increase profitability. SolarEdge Technologies: Facing a downturn in the solar industry, the company plans to lay off 400 employees, its fourth round of cuts since January 2024. Industry Analysis The widespread layoffs in the tech industry reflect a shift towards greater efficiency and a focus on high-growth areas, particularly AI and automation. Companies are reevaluating their strategies and optimizing costs to navigate economic uncertainty. For instance, Meta's significant investment in Scale AI, where Alexandr Wang will join to work on superintelligence efforts, underscores the strategic importance of AI. However, these layoffs also highlight the human cost of rapid technological change and economic pressures. Many startups and established firms are experiencing the fallout from the global economic climate, with some shuttering operations entirely. The trend is particularly pronounced in sectors like e-commerce, cybersecurity, and renewable energy, where competition is fierce and market conditions are volatile. Overall, the tech industry’s restructuring is a mixed bag of strategic moves aimed at long-term survival and growth, coupled with significant job losses that ripple through the economy and highlight the need for better support and transition programs for affected workers.