Bird Layoffs: 120 Jobs Cut in Strategic Realignment

Bird Reduces Workforce by One-Third

Bird, a cloud communication service provider, has implemented a workforce reduction impacting 120 employees. This represents approximately one-third of the company’s total staff.

The Amsterdam-headquartered firm, previously operating as MessageBird, is undertaking a restructuring of its global operations. This strategic shift is occurring against the backdrop of the rapidly evolving AI landscape, as reported exclusively by TechCrunch.

Bird has officially confirmed these developments, with notifications being delivered to affected personnel on Friday.

Recent Restructuring Efforts

This action follows a previous reduction of 90 positions that occurred one year prior, coinciding with the company’s rebranding initiative.

At that time, Bird also adjusted its pricing structure in an effort to compete with prominent players in the market, including Twilio, Klaviyo, and Attentive.

The company provides a CRM (customer relationship management) platform designed for marketing, sales, and payment processing through channels like email, SMS, and WhatsApp.

Strategic Realignment and Customer Focus

Robert Vis, founder and CEO of Bird, verified the number of employees affected. He noted that the majority of these roles were based in Europe.

“Although Bird originated in Amsterdam and established a strong presence in Europe, our customer base has expanded considerably in the Americas and Asia,” Vis explained in a statement provided to TechCrunch.

“This realignment will enable our teams to be situated closer to our customers, improving our ability to provide localized support, considering time zones and cultural nuances.”

Key Clients and Communication Solutions

Bird’s client portfolio includes major organizations such as Meta, PayPal, Square, and Uber.

The company delivers a unified communication solution, allowing businesses to connect with their customers across various channels, including email, SMS, voice, and WhatsApp.

AI’s Impact and Future Outlook

Vis emphasized that the layoffs were “not a cost-reduction exercise,” stating that the company’s financial position remains robust.

Instead, the adoption of AI technologies has contributed to the streamlining of certain roles. Other companies experiencing similar adjustments include Sprinklr, Workday, and Okta.

“These changes will facilitate a return to the agile, focused approach that fueled our initial success—beginning with SMS and evolving into a leading global provider of business communication solutions,” Vis stated.

Support for Departing Employees and Past Funding

The executive indicated that impacted employees will receive “comprehensive transition support,” though specific details regarding severance packages were not disclosed.

In 2021, Bird secured $800 million in a Series C extension round, with participation from investors including Tiger Global, Eurazeo, and Owl Rock.

This followed a $240 million funding round that valued the startup at $3 billion. The company also acquired email marketing platform SparkPost in 2021 for $600 million.