Talkdesk, a company that once boasted a $10 billion valuation and specializes in providing software solutions to enhance customer service for large enterprises, has undergone its third round of layoffs in less than 14 months.
A Talkdesk spokesperson, in an email confirmation on Tuesday, acknowledged the company’s recent “limited headcount reductions in a few areas.” However, specific details regarding the number of affected employees were not disclosed.
Established 12 years ago in San Francisco, Talkdesk utilizes artificial intelligence and machine learning to elevate customer service standards for midmarket and corporate clients. At the time of its last funding round, the company boasted a customer base of over 1,800 firms, including notable names like IBM, Acxiom, Trivago, and Fujitsu.
Sources suggest that Talkdesk has initiated several rounds of layoffs over the past 14 months as a cost-cutting measure due to lower revenue projections. These reductions occurred in February of the current year and in August 2022 when the company had approximately 2,100 employees. The current headcount remains unclear.
CEO Tiago Paiva emphasized in an emailed statement that these limited layoffs would not negatively impact the company’s trajectory. Paiva stated, “Our investments and progress in AI position us as leaders in customer experience innovation, enabling us to operate with a more streamlined, agile global organization. The recent headcount reductions in specific areas will not impede our innovation pace. We will continue to invest in key areas and strategically hire, allowing us to innovate faster and more efficiently at scale. As an example, we are reevaluating our location strategy. With our recent FedRAMP In Process designation and successes in healthcare and regulated industries, we are increasing our R&D investments in the United States. Our business remains robust, and we are poised for substantial market opportunities.”
In August 2021, Talkdesk secured $230 million in Series D funding, which propelled its valuation to $10 billion, more than tripling its previous worth.
