Dunzo Bags $75 Million Funding, Lays Off 30 Per Cent Of Employees: Report

Dunzo Founder and Chief Executive Officer Kabeer Biswas said at a town hall on Wednesday that the layoffs, which will affect over 300 workers, is part of a rejig

Dunzo CEO Kabeer Biswas told employees at the town hall the firm had to take this call to ensure it can hit profitability in the next 18 months.

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Dunzo, the Indian online delivery platform, has secured funding of $75 million through convertible notes and is laying off about 30 per cent of its employees as it plans a revamp of its business model, as reported by the Economic Times (ET) on Thursday.

According to the report, the layoffs, which will affect over 300 workers, is part of a rejig announced by founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kabeer Biswas at a town hall on Wednesday, citing sources privy to the development the ET said.

The publication has reported that key backers Reliance Retail and Alphabet Inc have added about $50 million of the funding, with other existing investors putting in the rest.

Under the new business model, the company will cut about 50 per cent of its dark stores and run only those that can be profitable or are nearing that threshold, ET reported, adding that it will partner with supermarkets and other merchants.

Biswas told employees at the town hall the firm had to take this call to ensure it can hit profitability in the next 18 months, the report added.

The move comes as growing demand for superfast dispatch of household goods has led players to intensify their battle in ensuring users are able to get their orders in 15 minutes or less.

The delivery firm continues to hold talks with other investors such as Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) but that capital may only come after the business has stabilised and certain metrics are met, ET reported, citing people in the know.

Recently, US fast-food chain McDonald's Corp is temporarily closing its offices in the US this week as it prepares to inform corporate employees about its layoffs as part of a broader company restructuring, citing a Wall Street Journal report news agency Reuters said.

According to the report, in an internal email last week to US employees and some international employees, McDonald's asked them to work from home from Monday through Wednesday so it can deliver staffing decisions virtually, the report said. It is unclear how many employees will be laid off.