LinkedIn is closing its development center in Israel and laying off dozens of employees, according to Calcalist. The decision represents a significant reversal for the tech giant, which opened the Tel Aviv facility just four years ago following a major acquisition in the Israeli market.
The center, which employs approximately 50 people, was established in February 2022 following LinkedIn's acquisition of Oribi, an Israeli analytics company, for an estimated $80 million to $90 million. The development team worked on advanced measurement, attribution, and analytics tools used by advertisers on the platform.
Likely remaining at the facility after the layoffs are a smaller group of employees who will handle ongoing business operations, according to Calcalist. LinkedIn declined to specify how many positions will be eliminated or retained.
"We are making these proposed organizational changes in certain roles in order to position ourselves optimally for success in the future, by focusing our teams and business on the highest-impact priorities for our members and customers," LinkedIn said in a statement to Calcalist.
The center operated as an independent entity despite LinkedIn being owned by Microsoft. The Israeli team was responsible for developing measurement tools and attribution solutions that allow advertisers and businesses on the platform to assess return on investment for marketing campaigns.
The closure marks another significant layoff in Israel's tech sector following broader contraction across the industry over the past year.
