Summary:
Jasper AI, a startup that raised $125 million in funding less than a year ago, has recently laid off an undisclosed number of employees. CEO Dave Rogenmoser suggests that this move is part of a shift in focus towards servicing the marketing industry, as seen with the recent launch of Jasper Campaigns. Despite rumors of product shutdowns, the Jasper Chat and Creator accounts will remain active.
Introduction:
Jasper AI, a company that raised $125 million in funding with a valuation of $1.5 billion, has laid off an unknown number of employees. The CEO, Dave Rogenmoser, indicates that this decision is a strategic move to refocus on serving the marketing industry. This shift is evident with the introduction of Jasper Campaigns.
Main Points:
Upon examination of LinkedIn, it is apparent that a significant number of positions at Jasper have come to an end. This includes both contractors and full-time employees, including senior roles such as product head Jeremy Crane. Jasper previously had around 150 employees, along with additional part-time and contract staff. The company’s PR firm is no longer working with Jasper, and the company’s press email appears to be deactivated. However, rumors of product shutdowns, such as the Jasper Chat and Creator accounts, are not true.
Jasper’s recent efforts to orient itself around marketing include the development of the Jasper Chat conversational generative AI engine, following OpenAI’s ChatGPT launch. The $125 million funding gave Jasper some runway, and they claimed to have over 120,000 business users. The company’s suite of tools for businesses led to the creation of Jasper Campaigns. Despite these efforts, Jasper found it necessary to reduce its workforce.
CEO Dave Rogenmoser addressed the layoffs in a blog post, stating that the company needs to reshape its team to fully pursue opportunities in the marketing industry. He emphasizes that the layoffs are difficult but have a purpose, allowing Jasper to address emerging needs and become a catalyst for smarter AI-powered marketing.
Conclusion:
Jasper AI, a startup that previously raised $125 million, has made staff cuts as part of its plan to refocus on servicing the marketing industry. Despite rumors of product shutdowns, the Jasper Chat and Creator accounts will remain active. CEO Dave Rogenmoser believes that these changes will allow the company to address the evolving needs of marketing teams and become a leader in AI-powered marketing.