The wave of adjustments in large technology companies is beginning to make itself felt in the Catalan entrepreneurial ecosystem. Of course, to a much lesser extent than in the United States.
The first major layoffs have been carried out by Wallbox and Typeform. In the first case, the manufacturer of chargers for electric vehicles has decided to cut about 15% of its workforce, made up of 1,400 workers around the world, although the majority are in Barcelona. Wallbox alleges that it has suffered delivery delays due to the supply crisis and that investors have demanded that it meet profitability forecasts anyway.
In the case of Typeform, an emerging Barcelona online forms company, the layoffs have affected 25% of its workforce, as reported by La Información and company sources have confirmed to this newspaper. "We have laid off 113 people, 59 of whom are in Spain, where we have our headquarters in Barcelona." The negotiations of the ERE have finished this January after closing an agreement with the workers. "We believe that this step is necessary to face global challenges and ensure our position in the market in the long term," say sources from the company, led by Joaquim Lecha.
The startups Colvin and Paack – Generalitat candidates to become future unicorns, as Acció announced at a press conference this week – are also carrying out layoffs. Sources familiar with the sector explain that in the first case, the flower delivery platform has applied a trickle of layoffs in recent months, although they do not specify the amount. A year and a half ago, the company employed some 200 people and planned to incorporate 100 more. Contacted by this newspaper, the company has preferred not to make statements.
In the case of Paack, specialized in personalized delivery of e-commerce packages, the departures "have taken place in a timely manner in the second half of 2022," explains Fernando Benito, co-founder and CEO. The company, which employs almost 800 people, is focused on achieving profitability in the short term, although Benito says he now has 50 job offers available.
In the case of Glovo, the hiring plans of the platform are unknown, now controlled by the German group Delivery Hero, which prefers not to share data about the Barcelona subsidiary.
On the other hand, the Travelperk unicorn, specialized in business trips, will increase signings. The founder, Avi Meir, assures this newspaper that he will incorporate 250 people to his staff, made up of 1,200 workers. In the case of Wallapop, company sources maintain that the workforce will continue to grow this year and will exceed 300 workers. The company has just raised 81 million in a financing round.
This is also the case of Factorial, a human resources software company that in October raised 123 million euros in a round that allowed it to enter the unicorn league. With liquidity in the box, he assures that his team will increase by 50%, made up of a total of 800 people. And, in Madrid, Cabify also expects to incorporate 50 people to its workforce, currently made up of 500 workers.
