Area 120, Google’s internal incubator program, has been severely impacted by Alphabet’s recent wave of mass layoffs. The incubator program, which was established in 2016, was designed to foster projects from Google employees and help to bring them to life.
In the past few weeks, Alphabet has announced several rounds of job cuts, which has impacted Area 120 significantly. Over 200 employees have been laid off from the program, with most cuts coming from the program’s two biggest teams, Google for Startups and Google VR. This is a significant blow to the program, as those two teams, in particular, had been responsible for some of its most successful projects.
In the wake of these layoffs, Area 120 has been forced to restructure and refocus its efforts. The program is now shifting focus away from Google-centric projects, instead focusing on initiatives that can help bring in additional revenue and increase user engagement. This includes launching experimental apps and service offerings, as well as creating content and services for third-party platforms.
The new focus of Area 120 could potentially bring some additional success in the future, but it comes as a significant setback for the incubator program. Many of the projects that had been in development have been put on hold, or canceled altogether, due to the lack of available personnel.
Additionally, the layoffs have likely caused irreparable damage to the morale of Alphabet employees. The uncertainty of the future makes it more difficult for employees to leave feeling secure and confident about their place in the company.
Overall, Area 120 has been severely impacted by Alphabet’s recent wave of layoffs. The program has been forced to restructure and refocus its efforts in order to remain functional, and the morale of employees has likely also suffered from the uncertainly of their futures.
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