Another Kitchener-based tech company confirms layoffs
Kitchener-based education startup ApplyBoard has confirmed it's laid off six per cent of its global workforce.
The tech company says the cuts were made to its customer experience team. It declined to say for how many staff were laid off in Kitchener.
“It was a decision that we do not take lightly and our heart goes out to all of the team members impacted by the restructuring,” a spokesperson for ApplyBoard said in an email.
According to its website, ApplyBoard has more than 1,500 employees around the world.
The company was founded in 2015 by Meti, Martin, and Massi Basiri. Inspired by their own experiences, the three brothers from Iran created the platform to help international students apply for colleges and universities abroad. In 2019 it was named the fastest-growing technology company in Canada by Deloitte.
In 2020, it was became the country’s third “unicorn,” a title achieved when a privately-held startup reaches a value of $1 billion.
ApplyBoard says the recent layoffs were made based on efficiencies identified during planning.
“This decision was based solely on better serving our customers as efficiently as possible. ApplyBoard remains well capitalized with years of runway,” the company said.
“We are positioning our teams to succeed for the long-term. These conclusions and decisions came after thorough evaluation and consultation with our leaders and customers. We believe we are making the best decision for the future of our mission.”
The layoffs at ApplyBoard follow similar moves at tech companies in Waterloo region and around the world as investor exuberance around the sector fades and companies re-examine payroll costs in preparation for a potential recession.
Earlier this month Kitchener-based D2L laid off around five per cent of its staff including 16 people in Waterloo region. Last week, Communitech announced it had cut 10 per cent of its workforce.
Canadian startups -- Clearco, Hootsuite and Wealthsimple -- and global heavyweights -- Meta, Twitter, Netflix, Microsoft, Oracle and Intel -- have all made cuts in recent months.
Amazon.com Inc. began cuts two weeks ago that will reportedly slash 10,000 staff from its workforce, including several Canadians who announced their departures on LinkedIn.
Layoffs tracker Layoffs.fyi has counted layoffs at 788 companies worldwide, resulting in at least 120,699 workers losing their jobs.
With files from Canadian Press.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Iran fires air defence batteries in provinces as sound of explosions heard near Isfahan
Iran fired air defence batteries early Friday morning after reports of explosions near the city of Isfahan, the state-run IRNA news agency reported.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.