Virtual events platform Hopin, last valued at a $7.75 billion valuation, has laid off 29% of employees, or 242 people. The cuts come just four months after Hopin let 12% of its workforce go, at the time citing a goal of sustainable growth amid the changing market.
In the company’s latest staff reduction, Hopin said that the employees impacted primarily supported its events business. Assuming that most people within the company work to support its events business, it’s unclear which teams were specifically reduced. Hopin said that it has been investing and growing Hopin into a multi-product portfolio, including in-person event management, hybrid events, video hosting and “new products currently in development.”
Senior executives are also departing as part of the layoff, but Hopin did not share specifics. In addition to cutting nearly a third of the company, Hopin confirmed that some contractors and members of a third-party team were laid off but did not provide exact numbers.
Despite the pandemic’s ongoing proliferation throughout the world, bits of normal life have resumed — including the return of in-person work and events. Hopin, built for the surging demand in remote events and virtual collaboration, is therefore challenged to evolve itself beyond being a pandemic tool.
Two rounds of layoffs in close proximity to each other suggest that Hopin’s business is in need of a runway. Those impacted by today’s layoff will receive three months of compensation and health benefits, access to mental health benefits and the one-year cliff dropped for stock vesting. Employees can also keep their laptops.
Find out more at Hopin’s website.
