HubSpot cofounder and Chief Technology Officer Dharmesh Shah issued an apology following criticism of a brief message he posted on LinkedIn addressing the company’s recent layoffs. The Cambridge-based software firm announced last Tuesday that it would eliminate nearly 660 positions, roughly 7 percent of its workforce, as part of a broader organizational restructuring.

Shortly after the layoffs were made public, Shah posted a note thanking the affected employees for their contributions to the company and wishing them success in future endeavors. The message, which some readers perceived as impersonal and detached, drew mixed reactions. While some appreciated the acknowledgement, others criticized it as insufficiently empathetic given the circumstances.

In response to the feedback, Shah updated his post to include an apology, expressing regret that his initial message appeared “curt and insensitive.” He explained that, as a co-founder, he intended to publicly convey gratitude but acknowledged that he did not adequately address the emotional impact and uncertainty faced by those losing their jobs. “I should have showed the people who helped build HubSpot more care and empathy,” he wrote.

HubSpot Chief Executive Officer Yamini Rangan commented on the company’s decision to restructure, emphasizing a strategic pivot toward leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance customer outcomes. However, Rangan clarified that the layoffs were not driven by AI-related efficiencies but were part of a broader reorganization aimed at aligning resources with the company’s evolving priorities.

The layoffs and subsequent leadership communications highlight the challenges technology companies face as they balance workforce adjustments with rapid shifts in market strategy and technological innovation.